Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1913-08-28

poIbOu, VI W lotboIs hhNo AuPe oASoa
you, and you have encouraged me
beautifully without In words commit
ting yourself. You have gone every
where with me. l have carried you
over rough places. literally as well
figuratively. You have. on rare occa-
sions. let me kiss you. You have.
with your sweetness and dearness,
coaxed the heart out OF me. II Is In
your keeping, and l demand an ac-
counting. I don't know any way but
this to get positive answer. We are
long way from shore. the water IL
deep. and you can't swim. a fact OF
which you should be ashamed, since
have offered to teach you. You
shouldn't allow yourself to be afraid
Of water-you know that" He turned
and scanned the lake. Now" he went
on. I'VE will have to have things out
with each other. You have never let
me openly ask you to marry me. You
have interrupted. fed, joked. torment
ed. all because you feared that being
engaged would cut short some OF
your fllrtations. Which Is perfectly
true. My fiancee can't coquette with
every man in sight. she will have to
behave" He put on his cap and
went to work again with the paddle.
talking as he did so.
Briefly. you mary me or you don't.
and you decide now. Uncle Martin Of
fers me a partnership In his Denver
business. sure thing and a money
maker, and am to let him know to-
night what I will do. II | take 1t I
shall leave Immediately for Colorado.
II don't. shall so on with my pres
ent work. which I like best. But
your preference would decide me.
This is why 1t is up to you. What are
you going to do with me?"
She gave him look Of utter scorn
DO you think you can--bully me"
she inquired. did you think this
could make me-love you?"
He smiled. "No-if didn't happen
to know that you love me, II didn't
know how you love TO dangle and tor
ment a man would never have tried
it. But you do love me--only you
hate to give in and admit it. and I
shall not take you back to shore I'M
I'll you do have lunch in this box,
and we stay here until midnight-or
morning. unless you"
Her blue eyes widened and flashed
and without a seconds hesitation she
gave a vicious little leap and over
turned the canoe in mid-lake.
Just as Vane Harris went over he
had the presence OF mind to give a
mighty shout for help. Two men not
far behind them came at their best
speed. Vane had gone down and
come up coolly. made a grab for
Patricia and with her was holding to
the overturned canoe. Lawrence Pat
terson and another man padded
alongside. but just as they began
righting the overturned craft and
had a safe hold on the girl. Vane
gave a convuIsel gasp, struggled, and
suddenly sank like lead. He did not
come up again. At first Patricia did
not realize the truth, then she gave a
little cry, and they pulled her to
safety.
There was some shouting for help
and in a minute a half dozen boats,
some swimmers. boys and men. were
on the scene. There were directions.
divings, fears-and finally the young
mans limp body was fshed up.
hauled into a boat and hurried to the
nearest shore. He was rubbed. water
was emptied out Of him. air was
forced into him, he was blanket
wrapped. manipulated. Patricia
could not be coaxed or forced away.
She stood by. ash-white hugging about
her dripping figure big blue cloak.
Finally Vane gave a deep, gasping
breath, choked, breathed again-and
opened his eyes. Patricia put her
hands to her face and wept. Mrs.
Forbes led her away, bundled her
into her car, and took her home. She
put her to bed and began ministering
to her. The luncheon was forgotten.
you poor DEAR" she comforted.
"And on the very day your engage
ment is announced. You naughty girl,
to let your friends see 1t first in the
Tribune! OF course we all knew you
would marry him-but l couldn't be-
lieve my eyes this morning. so /
called up Miss Clayton. She said
Vane himself had asked her to print
the announcement. How lovely OF
your Aunt Margaret to be your spon.
sor."
Patricia hid her face on the pillow.
So that was what he had done! He
had heralded her consent before she
had given It! Well-hadn't she tor
mented, trailed-and finally nearly
killed him? Suppose he had drowned?
She shuddered. He should have
things his own way. She knew now
what life might have been without
him. She turned teaTwet but hap
py face to her friend.
MRS. Forbes, will you 60 and see
how-vane is? Tell him as soon as
he is able-E-want him-to come. l
want to see him."
TIE older woman bent over her
moment. and then tiptoed away to do
her bidding.
Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure NeWspa-