Omaha daily bee., 1916-07-10

for some clever lie that would explain
everything gracefully, but no inspira-
ton came and he went to bed like a
spanked and supperless child.
The next morning Mulry looked out
late upon the flood of sunlight gliding
the liquid emerald sea. The breakers
called to him. He could not resist the
summons. He stole down corridor
and along an unfrequented walk to a
bath house. He unpeeled his clothes
and squeezed into bathing suit and
SO made into the ocean. Friends Of
his lolling on the beach said that the
water rose when he went in and fell
when he came out. But Mulry was
happy. He wallowed and dived like
a porpoise till he was blissfully weary,
then he stretched himself on the sand
for an Oriental snooze.
He heard voice that sounded
familiar He sat up Gloria was COM
ing along the beach directly toward
him. In her sea clothes she was the
approval of all eyes except Mulry's.
He did not make the mistake OF the
ostrich. He buried his entire self in
the sand and tried to hold his breath
till Gloria got past. Luck was against
him and she casually stepped on him
as she crossed his equator.
When she had gone, he exhumed
himself hastily and made for the
water to clear off the sand that loaded
him. Just as he set his toe in the first
froth, Gloria sighted him. He could
| tell by her start that she recognized
him. He ran into the waves, she fol-
lowed. He dived through the first
breaker and second and third.
When he looked back she was not to
be seen. He laughed and began to
hoat--which was the easiest thing
he did, Suddenly he saw red turban
come through the wall OF big billow.
Under it appeared Gloria's face. Mulry
struck out to sea. Gloria came crawl
ing after. He was astoHished to see
how well she swan. But he swan
we'll, too.
He wondered il he would have to
cross the Atlantic and he regretted
the necessity of landing in Europe
with his bathing suit and nothing else.
He was still at some distance from
Europe when he suddenly felt
twinge of pain in his ankle---then in
his knee--in both knees. He was
doubling up with crampl He knew
real fear now. He looked back to
shore and the far-off, misty crowd. He
shouted for help. Nobody heard him
except Gloria and he placed no re-
lance in her.
She called to him, but he was past
answering Gloria had been raised as
an athlete and her brother David had
taught her how to rescue drowning
people. But her first practical demon
stration alarmed her She had not
counted on so huge barge to take in
tow.
She set up cry to shore. No one
heard her. No one missed her except
one man. DR. Royce was looking for
her. That was not strange. He was
almost always looking for her or at
her, Pierpoht did not know where
she was. David and Lois had no idea
of her whereabouts. She was not
among the crowds on the beach.
Royce stared out into the farther
waters, He saw her turban--or at
least he was afraid that it was hers.
He saw her put up her hand, though
he could not hear her cry.
He howled to the life-saver in the
boat and pointed to where Gloria
swan with one hand, the other clutch
ing at Mulry's collar The life-saver
bent to the oars; the shallop slipped
across the, waves and Royce plunged
in and swan with all his might. diving
through the white caps, cresting the
big rollers. The life-saver checked
his boat alongside Mulry, took him
from Gloria. hauled him over the stern
seat, and left him face down, heels in
air, while he offered his hand to
Gloria. Gloria shook her head. She
telt better for having saved life. She
did not really care, her life was too
sad. She ordered the life-saver to
make haste with Mulry.
Take good care Of him." she
shouted. He belongs to me-
The life saver thought she meant
that he was her husband. He thought
It a pity that so pretty girl should
nave so much husband. But he did
as he was told and hurried Mulry
ashore.
Gloria felt lonely and afraid when
the boat was gone. She wondered
if she could make to land. She did
not really care, her life was too sad.
She was beginning to droop and fail
when Royce appeared at her side and
set her hands on his strong shoul-
ders. She liked him better than she
thought she did. He swan magnif-
Gently. He saved her and she was
glad to be saved.
When at last she staggered ashore
and her father embraced her. wet as
she was, she looked about for Mulry.
He was gone The life saver had re-
vived him and he had tottcred away.
Gloria did not know whom he was
visiting. He was not in the hotel reg