Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-28


(Which side do you mean to make for?"
she asked.
Il hardly know. You are higher up than
me- Perhaps you can decide best as to the
set of the current. The boat seems to have
been carried to the right"
Yes think the river shoals to the left.
Suppose we try the other way first. The
hotel is on that side.
Anything you like.
He took cautious step, then another.
The water was rising. Luckily the current
stood against it.
mo good, he said. 1--WE must go back.
PITY I'm not circus lady. Then |
might have balanced myself gracefully on
top of your head"
He murmured something indstinctly; but
Cynthia fancied she caught the words,
You're a dear, anyhow"
What did you say?" she asked.
1t is high time we were out of here" he
answered, turning his back to the pressure
of water, which was very great in that place.
What will happen if there are two chan
nels and we have pitched on a bank in the
midde?"
Il must walk about a bit until find the
right track. The Wye is not very deep at
this point. 1t must shelve rapidly in one
direction or the other"
But it may not"
In that event shall lower you into the
water, ask you to hold tight to my coat col
lar with both hands, and let me swim. 1t is
only few yards"
But | can swim too
Not in long dress. All, here we are!
i thought So"
TN couple of strides the water was below his
knees. Soon he was standing on pebbly
beach at the nose of the promontory formed
by the bend where the accident had hap
pened. In order to lower Cynthia to the
ground without bringing her muslin founces
in contact with his dripping clothes he had
to stoop somewhat. Her hair brushed his
forehead, his eyes, his lips, as he lifted her
down. His hands rested for an instant on
the warm softness Of her neck and shoulders.
His heart leaped in mad riot of Joy at the
belief that she would have uttered no pro-
test if he had drawn her nearer instead of
setting her decorously on her feet. He dared
not look at her, but turned and gazed at the
river.
Thank God that is over!" he said.
Cynthia heard something in his voice then
that was absent when they were both in
peril of being swept away by the silent rush
Of the black stream.
Quite an adventure" she sighed, stoop-
Ing TO feel the mem OF neT 1rOCk.
You are not wet?" he asked, after a
pause.
Not single thread. The water barely
touched my feet. How prompt you were!
l suppose men who fight have often to de-
eide quickly like that. What caused it?
whole seam was torn OPEN
1T cannot be stake. Such a thing would
not be permitted to exist in this river.
snag probably Some old tree stump un-
dermined by last months heavy rain
What of the boat? Is it lost?"
No. 1t will be found easily enough in
the morning. The damage is trifing. How
splendid you werel
PLEASE don't. | haven't said a word to
you, and | don't mean to"
But"
well, say it, il you must
Il am not going to compliment you in the
ordinary terms. Just this, Nature intended
you to be soldiers bride, Miss Vanrcncn.'
Nature, being feminine, may promise
that which she does not always mean to
carry out. Besides, | don't know many sol
diers. 1t is charming here by the rivers
edge; but | must remember that you are
soaked to the skin. Where are we, exactly?"
About four miles from the hotel by
water; perhaps mile and three-quartcrs as
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