New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-30

I've been a cowardlv little sample of ettcte
civilization, a mere remnant OF GrandinoIh,
er's maxims! Watch me put your couflSel
to the teSt-and don't be surprised or 1right-
ened at anything YOU may see or hear
With a swift, Swoopng motion she was
across the float, and for a moment she PolSed
above the river like some exquisite Dird'
ready for flight | was still protesting, When
heard her reassuring laugh flung back AT
me like a parting message, and fnofileilC
later her high, musical whistle cut cle;lh
through the noise of many voices ana lhc
lapping tide Standing there on the edge OF
the dark water, | watched her small head ana
the flash of her arms as she swan outward
II the sound of that sweet, clear whistle
n | 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 nave
become ignorant and helpless! believe
that she belongs to the class of women VINO
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 a man who had once loved
her with his whole SOUL whom she had
uscd and PLAYED with and deceived and dis.
coricd. the last at a time when he was Ill
and in trouble financially. The story was
not mine to tell; but it had made its imprint
on my mind.
II was growing late; most of the bathcrs
had gone home. After the long hot day
little wind whirlcd gaily from the west.
Nearby could hear the blond woman talk
ing to Tony; then suddenly from far out IN
thc.rivcr came a shrill scream, a woman cry
ing for help. ,,
Instantly there was confusion behind me-
the attendants of the place calling to one
another. a medley of profanity. | rea lied
that there was trouble launching the boat
kent on band in case of accidents. | was en-
RACED with myself because could not Swim
and that | was not much more proficient
with the oars; in short, that | was Miss
Nancy Scrbbling professor, and not man.
like Tony. -,
Being very stupid person, it did not inn
mcdiatclv dawn upon me that there was any
connection between Elizabeth Lees last
speech to me and that cry for help.
Then | heard womans Shrll protest
nearby. "Tony, are you going to leave me
to DROWN"
Wadc's voice answered, a curious dlsdain
in it, you We been taking all the afternoon
the fcnds alone know why. Somebody
out there is really in danger, and am gong
to help her. You can get to shore alone
perfectly well.
At that | found myself laughing and
thankful nobody heard me; for out in the
river | saw the dot that was Elizabeth
head. and remembered her impish mirth and
her admontion that | was not to be fright
cncd by ANYTHING heard or saw.
With a queer mixture OF relief and rnta-
ton watched Tony swim nightly straight
toward that dot on the ripping water, now
cleaning in the late sunlight.
saw the angry face OF Tonys blond as
three minutes later she climbed the steps OF
the bathhousc. There was no doubt that
She could swim magniiiCcntly, when She
could no longer hold man at her side by the
ancient appeal Of hclpcssncss.
Yet realized that she had not recognized
Elizabcth's whistle. Her anger was lirpcr-
,onal. that OF the pure cgoist cnragcd that
stranger even in dire need should interfere
with her mcrcst whim BY which token |
wondered whether she had as yet annexed the
affections OF Tony. She had the grace to
wait for a moment 10 watch the liicboat APP
proach the two figures in the river. Present
is they were safely aboard, and the blond
disappeared in the bathhouSc.
chucklcd to myself III YOU but knew