Graham guardian., 1910-07-08
heavy safety rope, she tied 1t aroun1

heavy safety rope, she tied 1t arounG
her waist.
"Take it," she commanded the boys
sharply, "and pull quick when | pull.
am going under the raft after him."
She slid down in the green depths.
A few strokes to the left. and she was
In the blank darkness under the raft.
An instants frantic clutching here
and there-and then, thank God, she
had the neck of Ned's bathing suit in
her desperate grasp.
She pulled wildly on the rope, swim
ming and tugging at the same time.
The boys answered her. The heavy
edge of the raft scraped the girl cruel
ly as they tugged and she had no
inert form tightly in half uncon-
scious grip.
Out at last! Oh, that blessed first
gulp of air! Jim's cries had brought
the life squad, and willing hands eased
her of her burden, and as they lifted
her into the boat Polly collapsed.
Everything was dreamlike after that
until she found herself In bed In her
room at the hotel. She dimly remem-
bered being assured that Ned was all
right, and she smiled family as Broth
er Bob said: "Cheer up. We have got
a heroine in the family at last" Then
she slept the sound sleep of eXhaus-
tion until the following afternoon.
BEST thing for her." said the doctor
,, In answer to her mothers anxious In
quiries. And so it proved. With the
exception of a few bruises Polly was
all right when she awoke, and after a
meal served in her room she donned
most fetching pale pink gown that
gave becoming flush to her rather
pale cheeks and sent for Bob. .
"You look pretty fit, after all, Sis"
said Bob. "There is mischief brewing,
| can tell by the CLINT in your eye"
"NoDsense," replied Polly. "Do some
thing for me, there's n good boy.
want to see Ned, and can't stand 1t
to face ali those people tonight. You
might mention that | am going up to
Pine cliff after dinner but for good
ness sake don't let him know that l
want him to come" The color rose
clear to her pretty brown eyes as Bob
began to grin.
"Now, be good" she coaXed, "and
don't tease. I'll make you dandy
pillow If you will"
"It's a CO." said Bob. "l'd rather
fancy him for brother-in-law," shut
ting the door Just In time to escape
Polly's powder puff.
After dusk Polly managed to escape
unseen by the back door and made her
way with beating heart to the cliff.
There was a cozy sheltered seat for
two facing the ocean about halfway
down the rocks, and there she found,
as she expected Ned awaiting her.
The moons radiant pathway ended
at the base Of the cliff, and as Polly
descended the path she looked like
fair goddess In her fllmy gown to the
young fellow who watched her with
eager eyes,
When they met Polly was surprised
to find herself Incapable of speech.
Ned grasped both her hands and gently
kissed first one, then the other, with
out saying word.
He must have felt q subtle difference
in their touch, for after one quick look
at the shrinking girl he knew-and,
knowing, blessed the world and Polly.
After long, long talk, interspersed
with happy silences, Polly raised her
face. lllumined by the moons soft
sheen, and the brown eyes twinkled
with their old teasing light as she laid
her hand on Ned's and said softly, 81
suppose must keep my promise
Ned" Then the love light shone above
the mischief as she added, y really
believe ! felt a thrill"