The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-01
II EVENING o
Caxton. Life Guard.
(By Jane

| her?" Wally asked, digging a fresh
tunnel in the wet sand where the life
guards heel had smashed through
Don't call Miss Ashton. Call her first
name"
Caxton smiled modify down at the
little chubby figure lying flat on the
sand.
Il don't know her first name,
wally."
Her first names Dorothy. That's
h mother calls her. Kenneth does,
too, when h isn't around"
who's Kenheth?"
My big brother. Maybe she's gone
with him some place." This was an
afterthought. Wally sat up to consider
it, and swept the curving shore line
with his calm glance. Back of the pine
fringe above the beach the great hotel
nestled between the tall bluffs.
Stretching from it like arms were
shore front cottages a mile in each d.
rection. It was late afternoon. h
air seemed heavy and tense. The sea
lay with hardly a ripple. dull gray,
with long saffron high lights from the
low storm clouds.
You had better run up to the cot
tage, kiddie," Caxton advised. There's
a n storm on its way"
IT don't want to, YETI coaxed Wally.
I've got to finish this roller coaster.
If there's a storm will you have to
swim after any people?"
IF there are any foolish enough to
stay out" Caxton returned.
Wally stared up at the tall. tanned
figure in the rec and gray swimming
suit. Their was no one else at the
beach that summer he admired so i'm
mensely as the lifeguard. Miss Ashton
liked him, too. They had talked it
yer between them often. and agreed
that he was a real hero, and every
morning WaIly would watch for him to
come along the long stretch of beau
tiful firm silyery sand on his coast pa
troll duty.
One morning he had waded in too
far after stray shells and strands of
sea weed. Caxton came on a run ann
gr1pped the drenched little Figure Sc
curely and bore it back to its GOVERN
ess. A whitefaced, girlish governess,
she was too. Clad in white from toe
TO throat, she had run down into the
water after her charge and WalIy had
sobbed so, there had been no chanc..
then to ak. But he had remembered
her, and watched every morning for
the two.
She was Miss Ashton, governess to
waiter Devereux's boy. That much he
found out easily. The Devereux cot
tage was most imposing. WaIly was
the hope, and tall Kenneth.
fresh home from his last college wear.
was the eldest. And the cottage was
TO be closed in two days. wally had
49, AhB hAlCA1 lit dIlllV left for a
trip. That meant she would
go out of his life forever.
He had tried to get a chance to
speak to her alone for the past three
Gays, but young Devereux was her
shadow. And now, suddenly, while
he was giving up his last hope, she
came hurrying down the path from
the bluff.
w forgot the camera and left it
up on the hill. 1 had to go back
after it," she told him.
We thought o had run away
gravely.
Kenneth is out on the bav. dear
in his knockabout."
He'd better come in then Cax-
ton checked himself. If the cub was
enough to venture out underl
such a gale What was it to him He
pent over her and spoke half rough
ly. Cant you send the boy in and
me half a CHANGER"
For what?"
To tell you what 1 want to. It's
my last chance. Here. Wally. listen.
II you'll run up to the cottage. and
stay there on the veranda until Miss |
comes, I'll make you a life
boat"
With life savers all sitting in it,
run along, dear. I won't be long,.
whispered. She watched the
little figure stalk slowly up the board
walk to the cottage, and turned her
up to Caxton. Now, what Is
Cations eyes were half closed. He
the knockabout half way down
little bay, its two sails sagging
the hot calm. The squat might
beating up any minute. He
turned to the girl.
Nothing much after ALL" he said
bitterly. At thought 1 had a great
ieal to tell you. but I hardly think
It is worth while. Not if Devereux's
Her clear. gray eyes met his, then
d~efiantly.
You have a splendid opinion of my
Judgment, haven't you?'
He shrugged his broad shoulders.
"Life's life. I'm the coast
here this year. Devereux's the
pest catch in the summer crowd.
There isn't much choice, is there?"
The color rose hotly in her face.
L wonder If you imagine you are
making love to me?" she said very
you may be an excellent life
'uard, Mr.. Caxton, but you do not
NOW the very first rules of this other
all trust and honor in the keep
ng of the one he loves. I think you
ire a terrible coward at this"
Dorothy" l.
How did you know that was myl
lame?" haughtf1y.
"Wally told me so. It is a darling
lame. too Dorothy. will you"
The words were drowned in the
ush of wind and swirl of sand that
wept about them in a wild midsum-1
ner fury. He held her close in his |
rms, as the first patter of rain fell,
nd the lightning gashed great glitter
rents in the low-hanging sulphur I
us i
'I must go to waIly." she exclaim- !
d. Let me go. I can make my way
lone. Please-please let me go!" Ii
ct won't. I'll carry you up to the I
ottage." {
"Oh, but look therei" He swung &
bout as she pointed. Through the f
gloom. he saw the Knock ]