The Southern herald., 1911-04-21
Jean Dearing and the Nymph
By S. B. HACKLEY

Roy placed a silver dollar on the
corner Of the table before he left.
Jean found Il after he had gone
She held Il up with q merry smile
My first tip. Dave; I shall keep it. +"
she said.
4 have not seen the last Of that
Young man" mused Jean-she knew
her power and for once rejoieed in Il
and | don't know that I am averse
TO seeing him again. strange to say.
The following day, after Polly was
tucked in bed. Jean sought her IA.
vorite nook again and opening a tiny
volume OF Omar vas soon absorbed
in its pages. She was SO deeply en-
crossed. apparently. that she raised
her eyes only to look squarely into
the brown ones Of her canoeist Of the
preceding day. Much to her surprise
Jean b.ushed as Roy sprang to the
bank and seated himself at her feet
with a word Of courteous greeting.
This part of the river is enchant-
ing | intend to follow It IN now |
have found my way" explained the
young man rather awkwardly. You
don't mind my resting a bit?"
/ Jean shook her head and gazed at
him mischieyously through her long
lashes until Roy flushed uncomfort,
| ably.
MAY see what you are reading'"
I he asked
Forgetting her role Jean extended
the book.
Omar Ye gods! Well. who would
appreciate him better than a wood.
nymph? You have been to school to
some purpose. | Judge"
The college girl nodded, struggling
to repress a smile; then, pointing 10
the volume, mOtioned to him to read
II there was one thing that Roy
loved to do and felt that he could do
well, il was TO read to an .appreciatlve
listener
Without hesitation he opened the
book, and 70, half an hour Jean en-.
ioyed the tones OF his deep. rich
voice. lntermittently, he would com
ment on the text and look to the girl
for quick approval.
Suddenly, the long rays OF the sun
brought Jean out of her trance OF de.
| light and she held out her hand for
the volume Roy reluctantly relin.
quished it.
"You should read Steps to
Thought he said. May | come again
some day and bring It to your"
Jean bowed after a moments hest.
.atlon, and turned away abruptly,
conscious that she had passed the
happiest hour of her life
The next day it rained, but the fol
lowing one found Jean under the
pines with sCme fancy work watch.
ing, with beating beart, as Roy round.
ed the bend in the river with eager,
expectant glance
lie gave the girl glimpses into his
life and-the language of love needs
no expression save shy glances and
fleeting color. The very air was
vibrant with the power OF love and,
on parting, the man felt as If he had
known Jean all his life
Come" begged Roy one afternoon,
81 have found a view that you must
share"
Jean stepped lightly into the canoe
as she steadied herself by grasping
root that projected over the bank.
Suddenly, there was tearing
sound, crack-and the girl was
gone Roy swung the canoe around
frantically, and waited TO grasp Jean
as she rose. A second passed with.
out a ripple Of the smooth surface;
then Roy jumped overheard landing
up to his neck Shading his eyes he
peered down into the water and
caught a flash of white underneath
the shelving bank. dive and
frantic pull and they rose to the sur
face Roy struggled up the bank and
knelt beside the unconscious figure.
Girl Speak to me-" he cried in
despair Don't look that way" he
groaned.
Her silence seemed like the still.
ness of death. He raised her arms up
and down. rhythmically He had
vague idea that that was the proper
method to pursue. Presently, with
long sigh, Jean opened her eyes.
Whats the matter?" asked Jean,
sitting up in dazed fashion
"She can talk" exclaimed Roy.
frantic with relief and establishment.
"It's the shock. Speak to me again.
oh. love you SO and thought you
were gone, my dear, my dear"
The beautiful face turned scarlet
"Will you ever forgive me, Roy?" she
murmured. nesting closer and hiding
her bushes against his wet shirt
In a fash Roy understood. For a
few moments chagrln and anger
threatened to master him; then, the
thought that he had SO nearly lost
her came over him like flood. "If
you will say, Roy, love you He
waited for her answer.
But I've only known you for
MONTH" protested Jean. "And you
don't even know my name"
Il know you and love you. What
L.. Ah..n.. -. II. 1 n