The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-06
Archer's Engagement
BY CLARIssA MACKIE.

:. Thanks" said the other with an amused smiles
out what's all this row about, anyway"
io our engagement of course! Blake has just told
"Blakes silly old chatterbox I'm not going
fact" interrupted Archer
..r, nhny isn't it," unused Desmond perplexedly.
a0ia me plain as could be that Archer was en-
archer interrupted this time with a laugh. TO- 10
mus. nave been my cousin Tom Archer! Go and
s~avs e, MN, bet-you can't make mistake he's
clubhouse tl No? Very WELL long
nop ercher went grnning on his way down to the
sacht cup While Desmond pursued solitary walk
along the board walk that led to the big hotel.
ward the shop before which was waiting with o.
pored ar Through the folds of the white that
stain. Her hands were firmly cnched in her lap and
heT %noe attitude betrayed restrained impotence
fieieh Dale had heard every word OF the conversas
ton between the two She knew that she was the
girl who had been reportd engaged to Tom Archer
but to hear her name linked Bob Archer's had
'rousht her such pang of exquisite pam that she
s'o 90" selt-reyealed on the instant
win the dozen mon who had suecumbed her beauty
ana cearm! She had claimed for herself coldness.
aoofhess Indifference to all men--and merely
because she had given her heart. unasked.
1t was well known that Bob Archer did not care
satisned all his cravings. He lived club his
Hacatohs were spent In the open wherever there
gooa heaithy outdoor sport. Helens tastes the
sshe. out Archers companions were mostly and
she had met him seldom then when he made
ohe % ms lhIfequent appearances in the ball room.
And Helen had fallen in love him. unsought.
fshaesfred a very agony of shame upon her,
/ =,
elared himself confirmed bachelor. II he did NOT
care for her there was nobody else
! Ihen IL was that Helen Dale's Irritation with Tom
Archer came to an abrupt end.
+ A few days afterward Helen swimming far
out beyond the float that the limit of safe
pathins she was an expert swimmer and rejoiced.
the cold salt water the warmth of the on her
uphited race and the soft resistance of the waves
against her strength.
Slender, graceful and muscular she made pretty
sight her white arms cleaning like marble against
the blue sea, her of bronze hair shining
IN the sunlight Her eyes were fixed distant buoy
she hau marked for turning point.
/ She did not mans form dive downward from
toward the same goal she striving for. Helen
was almost upon him when her attention
by low shout of distress, his brown arm shot up-
ward and he sank before her eyes.
/ 1t was not until Helen had reached the spot and
grasped him firmly by his thick hair that she recog-
n nlzed BOD Archer. In that moment OF suspense
iact that ne was human being and that his life
half conscious His eyes were closed and he did noe
Before she could cry for assistance she had bean
from the yacht and boat was hastily low
hausted with the hard pull. Archer was a heavy man
ana ne had been dead weight in the hand
could spare
Inside the launch tainted and only revived when
distracted sailor dashed singing salt water in her
at the nanmate form in the bottom Of the boat
/ is he SHE asked faarruity.
think hei be all right miss said the coxswaiu
reassuringly He must have been took with a oramps
Tor ordinarily Mr. Archer Is fine swimmer"
Tears OF thankulness forced themselves to Helen's
eyes and she made reply once board the yachs
she declined the captains
ped it
When she assured that he was recovering and
"oud soon be up and around she asked to be taken
ashore. The next morning she left the hotel with
Helen Dale knew that Bob Archer must seek her
out and express his gratitude had dones
that she might not meet him again she had fed
Bob Archer awoke TO rather unpleasant reallzatio
the morning after the rescue. He who had always
been independent OF women To one for
his life he blushed reeoeot that girl had come
to his rescue and no cursed his in suc-
n N ha fnrrH
hotel immaculate in white duck from top to toe
his life. ~
He recalled Helen Dale as one of many other girls
whom he had avoided as mere butterflies When he
inquired for Miss Dale the clerk informed
MN OF her departure. There doubt in his
mind that she had escape his thanks Well
she was the right sort--some girls would have been
glad of the opportunity to play the heroine.
4 New York was not far distant, in the evening
or the same day he presented himself the Dale
house So unexpected was his coming that Helen
was taken by surprise. She came down to fnd him
in conversation with her mother.
Il resolved you should escape" he said hold~
ing IN heT hand In warm friendly clasp. Il wonder
II you know Just how pueky YOU Yesterday"
one else would have done 1t. was easy too for
your boat came quickly to the rescue.
have lost my life" insisted Archer.
He remained for the evening and was surprised AZ
! his own pleasure in the occasion. y
them for spin In his new motor car then n sooS
again and again lie did return to Seaside bur
his yacht received sailing orders proceeded to
the city, where she lay at his disposal
When the first crisp autumn winds were blowing
Bob Archer awoke to the fact that could not live
happhy without Helen Dale for his wife. What an
laea! compaion she would make-their tastes were
similar and their love of the amounted
almost TO mania honeymoon spent his yacht
lie eiapped on his hat and made his way to the
Dale house Helen alone library whan
ne arrived and no sat beside her dim frelir
room ana toid ms story But In spite OF the greax
Joy in her eyes, she shook her head.
i know how you feel. Mr. Archer 1t is natural
that YOU should mistake gratitude love and thss
you should offer me the life saved but" Some.
thing in the flicker of emotion crossed her faca
brought him close beside her.
Helen, look at met he commanded taking hex
hands in his ~-F
Slowly she turned until her eyes met his
What do you there, darling-gratftude or
love?' he asked softly
Her glance fell before his gaze and for the hrss
time since her heart had OF her keeping ahs
was radantly happy
Love-" she whispered. softly and then: I'm al
glad had the chance TO save your life. We mighT
never have known each other. Bob" -