The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1913-09-02
REASON Was GOOD
BY EMMETT c. HALL.


small sister, Mary, she felt an ire
slstible inclination to do what she
vas well aware her generous allow
ancc of old maid aunts would call
decidedly shocking.
I'm going in swimming, Mary"
she announced.
Mary looked at her in wide-cyed
sstonishmcnt.
But YOU haven't got any bathing
suit" Mary protested.
Edith took her small relation by
the shoulders. and looked into her
eyes. Her own were sparkling.
"Can YOU keep "A secret, Mary 2"
she asked.
Huh For box of candy" that
mercenary young lady insinuatcI.
All right. Then listen. You
must never, never tell a soul about
tins. but I'm going swimming
without any bathing suitw
&c. Bet YOU don't dare -
Mary gisglcd.
"Nou just watch mel" Edith re-
tortcd, her courage braced by Mary's
doubt.
y few minutes passed; a squirrel
pcepod with bright. inquisitive eyes
from behind the trunk of tree
Then a slender form slipped to the
edge OF the water, and little heap
OF corduroy and lace was left upon
the moss Of the glade. There was
white fash into the amber of the
stream, and the girl came up pulling
and shiyering.
"Ough But it's coldw she chat
tered, and took few quick strokes
to warm herself, but the chill Of au-
tumn was in the water, and a very
few minutes convinced her tina,
swimming, for this season. was no
longer JOY. AS she turned toward
the bank, the slight splash of we'll
handled oars came to her ears, and a
moment later a shell shot round the
held Of the stream an hundred wards
below her.
For moment she seemed para
ly-cd, and then remembered that.
after all, she was out Of sight so long
rs she remained under the water. She
allowed herself TO sink until her
mouth vas just clear, and waited.
The she'll, keeping the middle of the
stream, was by this time opposite
her, and with another thrill of terror
she recognized the oarsman. At the
same instant he caught sight of her
head and backed water.
Hello, Edith he called. resting
upon his oars; pretty cold day for
swim, isn't it?"
mo, it's just fine" she asserted.
cndeayoring to keep her teeth from
chattering.
"lf you say it isn't too cool. I'll
come IN too; rowing suit and a
bathing suit are pretty close kin"
lie stood up in the she'll, and
kicked OIL his canvas shoes.
But Edith, she amt" Mary.
who was perched upon stump spon
the bank, began cxplosiyely, but was
scared into sudden silence bv the
glance from her sisters eyes.
But | was just going out" she
SAID, az Bob Perry began TO take in
Iris oars.
"Oh, that's all right, III hit
few strokes, anyway" he said, catch
ing the oyerhanging branch Of
tISc, with the intention Of securing
The shell thereto.
But don't want you. don't
want YOU 10 come in at ALL want
YOU TO go away Edith cried. npon
the verge OF tears.
lie paused. and looked at her in
ast0nishment.
Why, what's the matter. Edith -
he asked what have doney /
thought you'd be glad to see me. YOU
know I vas coming 20 call this
evening"
But didn', want to see you-I
mean, didn't want you 10 see me
Oh. mean I want you 10 20 aNavl
] never want 10 see you againlo the
poor girl, chilled and miserable. cried
angrily.
a look Of blank stupefaction and
pain crossed his face. and he settled
himself in the she'll.
II j don't deserve this. Edith %
be- SAID, gayely "but a. YOU wish 4
goodhy"
The sculis dipped, and a minute
later hc had disappeared around Inc
bend 10 The stream. The girl climbed
hastily ashore and sliyer.nglv
donned her clothing The pace ne
eco on the homoward way tried both
the temper and The Legs Of her small
sister TO The utmost
10 was a very miserable eFjsis,oo
Edith spent FOR tie next two 4o,.