Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-01-09

reply. and the walk was ended In con
~straiut.
There came a day when she set forth
TO search for the nest of the blue
heron. whose favorite haunt was in the
long. marshy tangle in the willow
thicket. where Tanners brook ceased
its merry chatter and became a slug
gish. silently flowing stream until it
emerged ono more into the open mead
ow as noisy and soeiable as ever
Susanna had never ventured near
the marsh alone, and therefore she did
not know its treachery. She was look
ing up into a ragged poplar for the
roughly constructed nest when her
feet left firm ground and sank into the
oozy marsh mud. She pulled out one
foot only to feel the other sinking still
deeper in the mire. and finally the
free foot sank beside it. and she was
quite helpless In the cold grasp of
the swamp. Twice she called for help
In a quayering voice before the strong
"Halloo!" of Tanners farm hand re-
Fponded.
When he saw her plight he uttered
IN exclamation of concern. and, plant
.ng his feet on two firm hummocks. he
grasped her firmly and lifted her out of
danger. I'm afraid you've spoiled
your Shoes" he said ruefully. bending
to wipe the mud from them with his
handkerchief.
Never mind the shoes, Mr.. George"
said Susanna gratefully. How can
thank you for getting me out Of that
~predicament? | was walking along
with my eyes In the air, looking for
the nest of the blue heron. when | sank
In the mire."
George arose to his tall height and
flung his big straw hat to the ground
"Follow me and step wherever | dc
and I'll guarantee TO show the nest
| discovered 1t the other day"
independent Susanna, who had d.
rected things for herself the last seven
years. walked meekly beside the farm
hand. who drew aside a clump of vii
lows and said. Look herel' The blue
heron sailed off his nest, dragging his
~ungainly legs behind him. Susanna
snapped a picture of the nest with a
little pocket camera. and then they
walked across the fields toward Hol
denis orchard
II suppose we may say we are ac'
q%uainted." smiled George whlmsically
"but | would like TO start square with
you, Miss Whitmore." He hesitated
and an anxious look came into his
bright blue eyes.
"Yes?" Susanna had crept under the
fence and was standing on the Other
side now. overcome by an embarrass
ment she had never felt before.
I'm not what | appear to be. Miss
Whitmore. | came down here anC
tackled farm work In order to regain
my mental poise and to prepare for q
hard winters work, but If Silas Tan
ner knew who | really was he wouldn't
have me around the premises. As fol
his good wife and Miss Florine-well!
He whistled ruefully and looked away
toward the Tanner homestead.
Susanna grew rather pale. "You
haven't told yet" she limited n%ervously
fearful of his confidence.
"Oh. of course | haven't! | hopt
you're not as narrow minded as the
rest Of 'em, but the fact is Pm-an &C
torr' He snapped out the word and
repressed a grim smile as he spoke, foI
Susanna started violently. II won
bite" he added kindly.
Neither will l." flashed Susanna
merrily. land | am an actressP"
"What?' His eyes were sparkling
incredulously. and he took a step for
ward.
Susanna Whitmore. alias Susanna
Fay"
Not the Susanna FayT' he asked
helplessly.
She nodded. And you?"
George Milbank. Why, I've beer
engaged to star with you this season