Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1910-07-01
Her Caprice

glance as with elaborate care she ar
ranged the pillows and prepared TO
enter the canoe. Overhead lowering
clouds threatened an imminent down
pour. while the river, lashed by a stiff
breeze which had suddenly come from
the east, looked too turbulent for even
much stouter craft than the dainty
"Euphrosyne."
A sudden clap Of thunder startled
the girl. but her resolution taken to
go in spite OF his refusal 10 accompany
her she gave no sign, and with ap-
parent calmness finished her prepara-
tions and stepped lightly into the
canoe.
Then she raised her head and her
glance met his scornfully. you are
still afraid to Gomez" she asked with
forced brayadO.
Your question would be an insult,
Esther, were II not in line with this
childish determination of yours to go
out upon the river when ii must be
patent to you that wetting is all that
can result from II, If indeed you es-
cape being capsized. Will not admit
that | am afraid to go exactly he
added slowly, but have too much re-
spect for a rather bad cold contract
ed last night at the garden party TO
desire to humor you, much as under
different circumstances | should like
to do so. think-really Esther you
must not unite that rope?" The sar-
casm had left his voice and the girl
felt little culver of delight as she
noted the solicitude which had taken
its place. Still, her obstinacy uncon-
quered. she continued her efforts TO
unite the rope which fastened the
canoe to the landing.
Another moment and the tide,
stronger even than the man had sup
posed 1t to be, claimed the "Euphro-
syne" and she darted, a slim streak OF
cream and gold, down the stream. So
suddenly had 1t happened that Esther,
who had never before been on the riy'
er save when its surface was as smooth
as glass. lost her balance and fell into
the water She did not know how TO
swim, did not even have presence OF
mind enough to retain her hold upon
the end of the rope, and before the
man realized what had occurred she
had completely disappeared. In mo-
hn N
understanding the strength OF the tide
he struck out for a point further down
the stream, where he figured she
would appear.
He had estimated correctly, al
though IL seemed an eternity to him
before the golden head became yisi-
BILE. and before pair OF brown
eyes, all humility now, looked
into his. scarce an arms length away.
He clasped her to him, and with the
vigor OF trained athlete swan TO
shore with her. Once there he did
not stop. but continued TO carry her
until they reached her home, which
fortunately was but minutes walk
from the landing. She tried several
times to speak to him, but there was
something in his eyes which prohibit
ed her doing so-something Intangible,
but which she nevertheless felt
acutely.
With but few words OF explana-
ton he handed her over to her moth
er and Esther noted with increased
contrition that his voice had grown
very hoarse. Then she found courage
to speak to him, and both she and her
mother pleaded with him to stay and
be supplied with some dry clothing.
but he remained proof against their
entreaties, and as soon as he could
courteously do so, left them.
For a week Esther lay sick, both In
mind and body. Hundreds OF times
she lived over that afternoon, and
! while she did not grow delirious, her
| mother. often walking softly into her
room In order not to disturb her.
/ would find her with eyes closed talk
ing softly as though to someone whom
she imagined near her. Her DOCTOR
J one for whom her mother had sent 70
the city. at once pronounced her men
tai illness to be the more serious Oh
the two. However, since he had not
the power to mitigate 1t, he was
Obliged to content himself with ad-
ministering the usual remedies for a
bad cold, and with enjoining his patti
ent not to leave her bed until he said
she might do so with safety.
One afternoon the doctor arrived
rather later than usual. Esther
mother met him In the hall, and as
was her custom, invited him to take
tea with her before he went up TO see
his patient.
81 scarcely feel like taking any
thank you," he said TO her, his usual
" Jolly face wearing very SAD ex
nression. 81 had another patient N
Oldport. did not tell you, did /! A
Young man. His illness, so he told me
WAS the result Of having stayed toe
long in the water while bathing. BAD
| practice. that. He contracted pneu
.. monia. tried hard to keep him here
hut he had to CO. He was an uncom
monty nice chap. Lothrop. Perhap'
you knew himY He was boarding no
far from here. I knew him in town.
He moved towards the staircase
and did not see the dazed expression
in his listeners eyes. Understahoin'
bv her silence that she did not know
Mr.. Lothrop, he said, in his proies
s,onal manner: I'VE should be gla'
that our Miss Esther is more fortu
nate. shall tell her about 1t and
will be a lesson for her and the othe
Young folks around here who are CIV
en- TO staying In the water longer thar
is good for them"
And somehow the woman manage
10 give him the reason why the NOR
fortunate" one was not TO be TOLD
then.-ANNA YORKE.