The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-29
The Eoenine Story

(By lola Forrester.)

By lola Forrester.)
Il don't see why you won't go with
him." Madeline said doubtfully. Hes
| awfully anxious to have you. Carter
told me he said last night II you
wouldn't go with him he'd stay ashore
/ He's changed q lot since the day we
all went on the Davis yacht. hasn't
hc?" Beth threw plenty of scorn into
her tone. She leaned her wilful chin on
her knuclkles and looked on at the
everchanging blues and green's of the
sea. Maybe he thinks don't remem-
Der what he said. but do. I can't
swim well and don't like to duck under.
and he told me was a little gutter"
That wasn't anything" said Made
line calmly. He's in love with you
now
but he told some Of the other girls
he thought was silly to be afraid, and
that's just as bad as saying / was q
coward. I don't want to go out alone
with him in his old yacht He's been
here every day for a week sitting out
on the veranda. comforting Aunt Laura
and telling father about how things are
down in the Canal Zone"
Where were your"
Playing tennis with Billie" Beth
dimpled demurely at her elder sister.
You're a perfect little GOOSE said
Madeline fatty. Hes Senator Potter's
only SON"
can't Dear only sons Ineyr re al
ways just reflections of somebody else's
glory. Billies got seven brothers"
"Billie's rushed every good-looking
girl at the beach this summer. He's
the seashore widower. Ralph Pot
ter"
"Why don't YOU go with him YOUR
self?" asked Beth. struck with the
happy thought. Good old 'Maddie, go
on. I'll lend you my white sweater.
You mustn't wear that old serge coat"
Madeline flushed. and just as she
turned away, Potter came up the steps
of the veranda-
They're ready to start, girls. There
are six boats going out to the fishing
banks and come around by the North
Light. Going, Beth ?"
Beth shook her head. sI'm afraid"
she said, mischievously. 'I might
tumble overheard and duck my head
under. Take Madeline with you as
proxy"
A dull tinge Of color Redeemed Pot
ter's face and barred neck at the deli
cate thrust. but he took the challenge,
and five minutes later when the Aloha
| slipped out of the harbor shelter after
her mates, Madeline sat in the little
cockpit. her old blue serge Jacket over
her white linen dress. and the wind
blowing back her hair recklessly.
1t was fourteen miles out to the fish
ing banks. The six boats were scat
tered like adventurous ducks. the
Aloha last of. All. After they struck
the little pilot wheel and came back to
Madeline. She smiled at him, but did
not speak. 1t was gorgeous trip. but
one does not like to be just a proxy.
not when one is twenty-four.
Looks as if we'd run into a puff Of
wind out yonder." Ralph said after q
while. do you mind?"
II love the water" said Madeline,
laughingly. I'm never afraid Of it."
bo1A ~
in the skippe boy, gravely. Pop an
me sighted some one day
| Ralph led him on to talk. He liked
| to see the look in MadeEne'e eyes, the
sudden CLINT of amusement and appre-
| citation. She had kept away from the
younger crowd all summer, and he won
dered why. She was a thousand times
| more interesting than Beth. he thought.
! There were courage and determination
in the uplift OF ner head. the lines of
mouth and chin, the steady, keen
glance of her dark eyes. All the way
out to the banks he talked with her
until she forgot that she was merely
Beth's proxy.
J Rounding the North Light they
! struck the squall. 1t all came SO quick
ly that Madeline did not realize the dan
ger until the onrush of wind caught the
i little smack as IL it had been a wisp Of
paper. Ralph had leaped to the as
| SlStdHCe OF the boy, Out pe1OTe tucy
could reef the Gig salt 1t tore away from
them and the boat capsixed.
Madeline and the boy were both
thrown free. Both were good swimmers
and came up beside the keel.
IF you get up and hang on to the
centerboard. you'll be all right he
shouted to her. I'm going to dive
after him."
Then Madeline understood. AZ the
boat had gone over. Ralph had been
| swept under with 1t, caught in some
Of the rigging. and he had not come
up. The boy dived gamely. Her wet
skirt chung to her. She had managed
and get free from her jacket.
Now the boy came up, blowing like
q young porpoise.
''He's-he's there Ropes twisted
round his legs. Get the knife outer my
back pocket, can your"
She found it and opened the big
blade, her cace white with dread The
minutes seemed years. When the boy
went under this time she followed him.
freeing herself first from the clinging
weight of the linen skirt. and between
them they loosened the gripping hold
of the rope that held Potter fast. Up
to the surface they bore him. and she
helped the boy pull the limp form to
where they could hold 1t ON the keel.
Just az safe as riding whale" the
boy said. straddling the centerboard.
Hist him a bit higher, ma'am The
winds going over us now. and some OF
'em will see u.s."
But it was hours before help came.
The squat passed, driving the other
boats around the point Of land at the
} North Light. while the Aloha drifted
with the tide. Madeline obeyed the
boys instructions. helping to turn
Ralph face downward ON the keel, rub
bling his hands. working his arms UT
! and down. until at last he opened his
, eyes and vas conscious
j Pops coming after Ms" called the
. boy happily Il knew he'd miss me
pretty quick when the other boat