The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1912-11-09

I was washed overheard I can swim,
but it was dark and the waves were
choppy. heard my father ordering a.
boat overheard and couple Of sailors
rescued me with the aid Of the ten
der. We were on the way back to
the yacht when a big wave struck US
and the tender eapsized, throwing all
three OF US into the water.
Pm ashamed to- say the sailors
swan of and left me clinging to the
boat I managed to turn it over and
climb in, but l had drifted- around so
that 1 could not locate the yacht.
could hear the whistle blowing all
night and screamed and called Just
before dawn the tender f1oated into
quiet water and dritted up on the
beach below
81 remained on the beach until day
light, then beached the boat and
found this place. was so exhausted
that I fell asleep and you have just
awakened me-
Good graciousi" exclaimed Jack.
What an experience you've been
through Why, you must be(plucky
to have stood all that hardship-and
still-be able to tell about it,
my father has taught me that men
and women who go down to the sea
in ships must have a due respect for
its wilder moods and be prepared to
meet them" she said quietly
You must be very hungry" sug
gested Jack tactfulIy. My launch is
always provided for emergencies and
1 can give you a sandwich and a cup
of hot beef tea
81 am hungry" she acknowledged,
land it is very kind of you
Jack held UP a restraining hand.
"If your father told you always to
be prepared for emergencies at sea he
also told you always to have a help
ing hand for the stranded mariner
eh?" he smiled.
Yes" She smiled too and her face
was wonderfully sweet.
Jack disappeared from the rock and
went down to the boat where he bus
led himself in preparing something to
eat for the girl. Presently she came
down the rocky path and stood be-
side him.
Il will take you to Snug HarbOr-our
| cottage is there and my sister, Mrs.
Frame, will take excellent care of
you. Of course you will want to com
municate with your father at once"
He can be reached by wireless
from the nearest station. My father
is Arthur Debrys," she said as she
slipped the hot beef tea.
Arthur Debrys!" Jack stared-if
this girl was Penelope Debrys she
was one of the richest girls in the
land. He had heard about her.
He told her who he was and all
about the little island which he had
luckily visited that afternoon. 1t was
so seldom visited that if he had not
arrived she might have starved there
unless she had set a signal of distress
| flying.
They started for Snug Harbor tow
ing the Blaucine's tender. The wind
blew up cold and Jack insisted upon
| putting his coat around her shoulders.
| It thrilled him to see her smuggling
under it's warmth Already he was in
| love with her and. there was some
| thing in her eyes that seemed to tell
| that she, too, had found some new
emotion
But there was Nora Smith, with
whom ne was supposed to be in love
Nora was a born f1irt and exacted this
devotion from all her male friends.
But Jack had quaIms of conscience
he had been serious about Nora at one
time, but Nora was years older than
he. Still he might ask Nora.
The eyes of Penelope Debrys met
mis- and she smiled 'Ah, this is my
girl saved her from the sea-we
belong to each other he told himself
recklessly.
When he led this strange young
woman into the iviSg room of the
Sea Shell Mrs. Frame started up in
surprise. You poor child" she cried
after they had told the story, come
with me and get into some dry clio
thing while Jack tries to communicate
with your father. Jack, there's tele-
gram on the table for you"
Jack was alone when he read the
message.
Married to Tony Pike this morn
ing. Congratulate us both Nora
Smith,
"Hurray!" yelled Jack happily.
"Shes mine-fnding' keeping,"
Copyright, 1912, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)