The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-08-02

der: he would pretend TO De a ga.
inspector; he would even set the
house on fire to get few words WITH
the girl of the chafr-car.
Miss Blanche Ackworth might have
been called a rowest and boatest.
She had her own boat and she knew
how to handle 1t. The pilots Of the
day boats whistled furiously at her,
and mates yelled that she would be
run down, but she calmly missed col
lisions and went her wa. She went
rowing in a bathing suit, and she
could swim, and there was little to
fear.
On this Monday she was out for
spin. The first that the half-distracted
lawyer knew Of her presence was
when the mate Of the boat passed him
on the run and called out:
shes over this time, for sure, and
she'll be drowned!"
The swells of the stemaer had up
set Miss Blanche's boat. Two hum
dred persons saw the accident. Mr..
Hosmer looked down on that golden
head as the first wave rolled over It.
When captain, mate and crew OF a
steamboat are hired nothing Is said
of their jumping overheard to rescue
people. It's 80 much per month and
board. When a lot Of passengers start
from New York for Albany by boat,
they figure on the fare alone. Jump
ing overheard should bring rebate,
but It doesn't. They are supposed to
keep dry while other folks drown.
Thus It came about that when Miss
Blanche's boat went over there was
only one man to do the jumping act.
That was Mr.. Hosmer. He couldn't
swim a stroke. and he wore a suit
that was bound to shrink. but he didn't
even stop to throw down his hat.
Down he plunked close beside the girl,
who had caught her overturned boat
with one hand and was smiling at a
| deckhand who was trying to throw a
lot of iron pipes overheard to help
float her. and when he came up from
the bed OF the historic river he was
choking and gasping and strangling.
/ One hand was reached out. the fingers
clinched in his hair, and when he had
been drawn to the boat the girl began
working 1t inshore. Pooh! II was
dead easy! Nothing but fun! She
was cheered again and again. but she
didn't feel that she deserved 1t.
Mr.. Hosmer was hauled up on a
dock q very watery man. Water had
surrounded him. and he had sur
rounded water. They pounded him
on the back, and they rolled him on a
barrel. They called him a hero, and
they called him a fool. He was finally
pumped out and sent to a hotel to
recuperate. and word was left that he
should call at the Ackworth residence
as soon as able to receive thanks.
He was all right by the next after.
noon. except for a feeling that he had
lowered the Hudson by several inches,
and the call was made. At last he
stood face to face with the girl Of his
waking hours and his dremas.
Il want to thank you so very, very
much" she said after the formalities
But why did you jump overboard?"
ITO save you. of course" he replied
but you couldn't swim a stroke!
Besides, I upset the boat on purpose
Just to scare the people a bit!"
"But-but saw you on the train G
few days ago."
"Yes?"
"And I had-had to get an introduc
ton to you"
Il don't understand WHY"
because fell in love with you a
first sight"
"And--and-?"
And | can't begin the practice o
law until get through with romance.
When the recovered and dried-ou
man had departed the house Mrs. Ack
worth asked her daughter what sor
of person she had found him.
why. I think he means we'll. bu
he rather startles one at first"
SIS he to call again."
"Um, suppose so, Yes. he's jus
that kind. and after a girl has save
a young mans life she can't drive hir
|, to suicide. you know. Yes, a yer.
very nice young man. and he'll ca
again"