Evening star., 1912-06-30

wet skirt.
"Thank you, thank you, Mr.. Walker!
I've been a cowardly little sample of effete
civilization, a mere remnant Of Grandmoth-
er's maxims! Watch me put your counsel
to the test-and don't be surprised or fright
ened at anything you may see or hear!'
With swift swooping motion she was
across the float and for a moment she poised
above the river like some exquisite bird,
ready for flight. was still protesting, when
l heard her reassuring laugh flung back at
me like parting message, and moment
later her high, musical whistle cut clean
through the noise of many voices and the
tapping tide. Standing there on the edge OF
the dark water, watched her small head and
the flash of her arms as she swan outward.
A T the sound of that sweet clear whistle
| saw Tony Wade turn his head as
though startled and wondered if he recog
nized it. But his companion demanded all
his attention suddenly she seemed to have
become ignorant and helpless! | believe
that she belongs to the class of women who
would traffic an immortal soul to obtain the
undivided attention of men, of all men!
As it happened, knew more of her than
had cared to acknowledge to Elizabeth
Lee; for knew man who had once loved
her with his whole soul, whom she had
used and played with and deceived and dis
carded, the last at time when he was i'll
and in trouble financially. The story was
not mine to tell; but it had made its imprint
on my mind.
1t was growing late; most of the bathers
had gone home. After the long, hot day
little wind whirled gaily from the west.
Nearby could hear the blond woman talk
ing to Tony; then suddenly from far out in
-
ing for help.
Instantly there was confusion behind me,
the attendants of the place calling to one
another, medley of profanity. | realized
that there was trouble launching the boat
kept on hand in case of accidents. | was en-
ragged with myself because could not swim,
and that | was not much more proficient
with the oars; in short, that | was Miss
Nancy scribbling professor, and not man,
like Tony.
Being very stupid person, it did not i'm
mediately dawn upon me that there was any
connection between Elizabeth Lees last
speech to me and that cry for help.
Then | heard woman's shr1ll protest
nearby. "Tony, are you going to leave me
to drown?'
Wade's voice answered, a curious disdain
in it. you've been taking all the afternoon
out there is really in danger, and | am going
to help her. You can get to shore alone
perfectly we'll
At that l found myself laughing and
thankful nobody heard me; for out in the
river l saw the dot that was Elizabeths
head, and remembered her impish mirth and
her admonition that | was not to be fright
ened by anything heard or saw.
With queer mixture of relief and irrlta-
ton | watched Tony swim nightly straight
toward that dot on the ripping water, now
cleaning in the late sunlight.
| saw the angry face of Tony's blond as
three minutes later she climbed the steps of
the bathhouse. There was no doubt that
she could swim magnifcently, when she
could no longer hold a man at her side by the
ancient appeal of helplessness.
Yet | realized that she had not recognized
Elizabeth's whistle. Her anger was imper-
sonal, that of the pure egoist enraged that
stranger even in dire need should interfere
with her merest whim. By which token l
wondered whether she had as yet annexed the
affections of Tony. She had the grace to
wait for a moment to watch the lifeboat ap-
proach the two figures in the river. Present
ly they were safely aboard, and the blond
disappeared in the bathhouse.
l chuckled to myself. IF you but knew
the identity of the little person Tony has
:. l..I-