Evening star., 1913-02-09
WHEN THE RIVER WENT OUT
BY JOHN KENNETH TURNER

" JOHN KENNETH TURNER
the party stroed down upon the wall of sand reared by
the reless the mouth of the river Three
laborers after hour of strenuous digging, had just
succeeded in starting thin trckle of water the
top of the dam. They were still working, and would
continue to work until the stream became vigorous
to tear its own way through the wall IN an ever
widening breach.
blufs?" suggested Professor Loomis. pointing his
at the farther bank he breeze off the bay is already
beginning to find my old bones"
I'VE can step across this ditch IT we 60 at once, re-
marked Mrs Loomis
aBut how about getting back later in the EVENING""
asked Mary Pike practically.
"Why, after the goes out any
where Delta Loomis nodded toward the CLASSY
panse. 1--WE even cross on the stones at the bot
TOM"
However, we'd better take my boat along pointed
out Ram Mixer. @When the boy with the lunch
wei need the boat to fetch it."
They returned to where the rowboat was moored in
tiny elbow of the river and because the boat small
they crossed in two parties to the other shore In
rocky cove sheltered from the breeze yet overlooking
the river they built fire of driftwood.
Curiosity drew the four young people again to the
sand wall The rvulet was millrace now The dggers
had drawn back to wipe the perspiration from their
faces and lean upon their shovcls.
isn't it going slowly?" exclaimed Mary Pike. Il do
wish it would hurry"
at will hurry fast enough little later. Can't you
that it's already getting its dander up said Delta
The sun was nearing the horizon. A horsecart ap
peared on the other shore The driver hallooed and
waved his
Ram Mxter started for the boat; but Harold Samson
reached it before him. Mxter halted making gesture
of consent.
"Miss Loomis" called Samson, picking up the oars,
would you like to with after the lunch!
"Delighted" agreed the girl.
Ram M1xter glanced toward the mouth OF the river
II don't think she'd better 60" he protested @The
mouth is widening, you know it may be dangerous"
The girl was already in the boat.
"Never you mind!" the blond giant back de-
risvey. II fancy I'm capable of taking of Miss
Loomis."
Mixter persisted. "Deta-"
"Rann, you're a mollycoddle!" the girl interrupted
him. Al guess Mr. Samson knows what he's dong!"
Ram gave up "Well, if he's careful there can be
danger" he 1nuttered He Samson looking back at
him to say "Youre jealous that's what's the mat
ter with you!"
DAMN MIXTER leaned against the granite face of
the skff slid the water. Yes he jealous
there of denying it. Just as he about to
possess Delta Loomis this handsome, staggering young
Apollo had come along to steal her away from him!
His glance wandered the toward his home
standing alone Mission Pont-a tiny, two-roomed
cabin, stained brown by weathers and in front OF
it brand new bungalow with white limestone Chin
ney decorating the south wall Through many a long
night in and calm, he had crouched his type
writer in that little cabin. From the village of Cypress
the lamp in his side window could be seen, lonely
beacon, shining until dawn. The villagers would OBJ
him, long white envelop hand, hurrying to
catch the early mail.
"Wrote five-thousand- word story last night, he
would shout to friend "and I'm running to get it off
before breakfast"
The short rests that he afforded himself during those
nocturnal hours of creation at high pressure invariably
found him the little front window, standing,