The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1912-07-19

to which she replied that 1t was more
probable the sender of the lock had
seen me and my personality had es-
pecially appealed to her.
Though this supposition fattered my
vanity, | was a bit disappointed. for
It seemed to me that II Miss Yardley
had desired to keep me for herself she
would not have given me a reply that
would tend TO influence me favorably
toward the unknown. However. her
warning against designing girls and
her intimating that the unknown prob
ably had sent me the lock Of her hair
because she admired me neutralized
each other.
One afternoon I reached Alton from
the city at the time the tide was IA
vorable for bathing, and as soon as /
could get into my bathing suit / went
down to join the crowd In the water.
The wind was of the ocean and the
surf high. AS l approached the beach
| saw commotion among those stand
ing about. most of them peering out
on the water. There I saw that the
interest was centered upon some one
beyond the ropes. The bathing mas
ter instead of plunging In was trying
to get boat through the breakers.
but without success.
ran as fast as could to the verge
and, bounding over the crests Of the
first few waves. went under the next
and then, with a hand over hand
stroke, by which could swim the fast
est, made for the person who needed
assistance. | soon saw that 1t was a
woman, and as drew near by the red.
ish tint on her head knew that 1t was
Miss Yardley On reaching her l held
her up until the bathing master came
with the boat, and he pulled US to
shore.
She was quite exhausted, but not SO
much 80 as to forget to ask me to
pick up her bathing cap, which had
fallen off She took 1t from me and
put It on. though | could not see why.
because her hair was soaked.
On account of this incident l natu
rally found favor with Miss Yardley,
though | think had not been there
she still would have been saved. One
thing did not fancy. feared this In
timacy would cause my unknown to
avoid giving me any clew to her iden.
tty. ! was satisfied with Miss Yard
ley's companionship, but did not like
the idea Of giving up my romance
And between romance and reality ro-
nance will win every time From
words / let drop to my known charm
er she inferred that my mind was on
her unknown rival. Instead Of endeav
oring to Danish her from my mind
Miss Yardley joined me In observing
the girls whose hair fulfilled the condi-
ton that would prove her the owner OF
the lock. Were we perambulating the
board walk or on the beach or the ptaZ-
"a of her hotel, she would on the ap-
proach Of blond girl ask me IL her
hair was not the shade OF the lock
had received. Most Of them were quite
like IT, but their number spoiled the
clew.
While romance is more effective than
reality flesh and blood are more effec-
tive than fancy. | was constantly
known. The consequence was that the
former had q great advantage. At any
rate. as the end OF August drew near
my constant dawdling Of evenings with
Miss Yardley tended to obliterate my
unknown from my mind. One night
the night before Miss Yardley was to
leave for home-sitting on protrud
ing rock, the waves rolling In beside
us, strains Of music and laughter com
ing from the hotel back Of us, forgot
the girl with the lock Of blond hair and
asked her rival to be my WIFE
We parted the next day, engaged,
she to go TO her home In one city, to
another. The autumn season was al.
ways a busy one to me, and there was
no probability Of my seeing her again
till midwinter. We arranged, howev'
err that should join her for the holi
days. Meanwhile we were to CORE
spond.
The ink spilled during that interval
was enormous. My tiancee often asked
me If | had heard anything about my
unknown and If did not still cherish
tender thoughts of her. replied that
the only thing that remained of that
romance was the lock of hair. Upon
this my love wrote me TO save 1t for
her. She had fancy TO keep It
promised that | would bring 1t to her
when | joined her In December.
All waits have an end, and the time
came when | threw aside the cares OF
business and took train to rejoiD
Miss Yardley. When l saw her on
the evening Of my arrival in her draw.
ing room | met with the surprise of
my life saw the same girl | had
parted with few months before at
the seashore. all except the hair Hers
was no longer red. but blond.
Instead OF Advancing to clasp her In