The record., 1913-09-11
WHEN HE MADE GOOD
BY JOHNSON w. BITTMAN.

when are you ever going to make
good? When are you ever going to do
anything? When are you ever going
to Justify your birth and breeding and
ancestry"
And the girl stamped her pretty
foot hard on the yielding turf
The big fellow in the gray outing
flannels settled back in the hammock
and turned his patrician face to the
questioner.
by jove! you're getting prettier
every day, coz" he said.
Il don't want your compliments or
your praise. Herbert Rollins" she re-
piled with blazing eyes. Il want you
TO answer my question"
The man drew the makings" from
his pocket and began slowly to roll
cigaret
What's the use" he asked.
'Use!" she exclaimed. What are
you living for?"
The girl looked at him scornfully.
Now, look here, Nell,' he said.
throwing the cigaret away. 81 have an
ample fortune, thanks to the wisdom
and industry of my respected grand
father. | don't spend my income
cant spend It, Why in the name of
goodness should ] bother my mind
with moneymaking? Why should |
harry myself with all the work neces-
sary TO successful professional ca
reer when | do not need the emolu-
ments which would crown it in the
very doubtful event that succeeded
especially when there are so many
good fellows who we're less successful
in their choice of grandfather and
who are compelled to do these things
in order to live? There is no in
centive."
'Incentive!" exclaimed the girl very
pale. I'll tell you one thing. Herbert.
1t has been an understood thing In the
family that am to marry you want
to tell you now that never will marry
such a useless butterfly as you in the
world. I'll marry n coal HEAVIER first"
Rollins looked steadily at her for a
minute. Then he arose and took her
unwilling hand.
Perhaps it is best so. Nell" he said
gravely. Il don't know but we would
worry each other intolerably. 1t will
raise Cain with Uncle Charley and
your mother, but
What is that, Bert?' interrupted
the girl, pointing to the surf
He turasG ii-1', sn.l looked over
the sun-lit water.
Instantly his entire attitude changed.
lie was alive with interest, with pur-
pose, with power.
Great heavens. II is Julia!" he ex-
claimed. And she is out far over her
depth and cannot swim a stroke.
have been teaching her TO float and
she's let the current carry her out. II
frightened and drown"
While he was talking he had peeled
to his trousers aud undershirt and
pulled off his shoes, and before Miss
Nellie fairly knew what was going on
he had plunged into the surf and was
making great strokes toward the tiny
head bobbing in the water.
AS the girl on the shore watched
him do these things with the rapidity
of thought and noted his splendid self
poise and perfect proportions a crate
ful sense of satisfaction pervaded her.
All he needs is the spur of neces-
sity," she said. And I'll see that he
gets that. My, but he's a splendid fel-
low"
or sudden the girl floating far out
gave a piercing shrek and the head
disappeared. Rollins had nearly
reached her He shouted to her to
float for minute and he would reach
her. But the panic was in her. and
she heard nothing. AS she reappeared
on the surface she shrieked again.
Out from the cottages and from the
hotel people rushed to the beach. Mel
| lie held her breath in horror. Rollins
was fairly leaping through the water.
Il never saw swimming like that"
said one of the men who was helping
! shove the emergency boat into the
water. II think he'll get her."
Nellie looked at the man and smiled
gratefully. All about the people were
! commenting on the force and power
Of the man who seemed to be fairly
shooting through the water.
There is a hcart-breaking minute or
| two and then the strong swimmer
comes up and clutched tightly by the
hair he has the form of the insensible
| girl.
/ n lCnu an1 hor y
/ the heavy burden, before the men with
the boat picked them up. And when
| they reached the shore n dainty girl
stood clear down to the edge where
| the swell of the water washed her
ankles. AS Rollins stepped from the
| boat unsteady from his great exertion,
she cried
Bert, you are splendid. / take it
all back. You are the hero of my
dreams"
He regarded her inscrutably for a
moment. Then. leaving the uncon-
scious form of the girl in the boat to
he cared for by the willing bystanders,
he took Nellie's hand and led her back
to the trees.
Neil" he said, hrokenly. don't you
see? It's hard to eXplain-but-but-
you released me few moments ago
amt your kind. I've known 1t for
years. You like me now. for minute
because ! happen TO have been able
to do a iit,le something spectacular.
But that is not The basis Of love"
He paused a minute and looked q
little sheepish. Then he threw back
his square shoulders and faced her.
Anyway" he said, Il am going to
marry Julia Manning next month. l.