The Lamar register., 1916-11-29
ON CREST OF A WAVE
BY ELIZABETH SHIELDS.

strong young arms. In the way of
inefficient Mattresses, she placed Mrs.
John Guyton's coffee at the wrong side
Of her plate. idiot" snapped that
lady.
Kathleen fled to the pantry. Stand
ing YEARLY against the wall, she
caught the whispered words of Pete
the head waiter, in his well-Dred Eng
fish voice: Tit really makes me
want to weep to see you doing this
work. The trays are much too heavy
He was very much concerned.
But, Pete. tell me, am l really an
idiotf" demanded Kathleen.
The answer in Pete's eyes caused a
warm flush to cover her face. In her
mad escapade of playing maid at
secluded hotel on a tiny island on the
Maine coast. Kathleen had found in
Pete the best Of comrades and the
most sincere admirer she had ever
known.
Kathleen knew she was fair. All
her lifetime she had been admired and
courted. Since the winter season of
gayety and pleasure, great curiosity
had taken possession Of her. She want
ed to know whether the homage she
received was in part due to her wealth
and place in society.
She found out almost instantly. Her
bronze hair and violet eyes evoked ad-
miration, Of course, but the men OF
her own world showed 1t by furtive
winks and firtations. 1t was disap-
pointing. too, to know that life behind
the kitchen door was much the sume
as on the front piazza. The difference
lay only in its uncouth exterior and n
greater amount Of tolerance for the
faults of others.
In this Pete agreed. Being free ev-
cry afternoon at two and each evening
after eight, they spent the time to-
gether. Whether splashing about in
the tumbllng surf, padding canoe
in the golden path OF the moon, or just
sitting at the end of the rickety old
pier, Kathleen found life wholesome
and satisfying.
The problem of telling Pete the truth
about herself became more difficult as
the hours with him grew more pre-
cious. He was just the head waiter,
after all, and she a daughter of the
Brownings.
Then occurred an insignificant mat
ter that was the turning point in
Kathleen's life.
The extraordinary thirst of Mrs.
Guyton had kept Kathleen busy on a
dull, foggy day. The heat was intense
and life in the kitchen unbearable.
sobbed and laughed.
Wen go away from it all-wen go
together" Pete breathed in her ear,
as he took her in his arms.
Soothing and comforting her, Pete
led her to the coy spot they had ar
ranged far out on the edge of the old
pier.
The worries of a waitress slipped
easily and gracefally from Kathleen.
She would have one last swim with
Pete. then, high and dry in the sand
dunes, she would tell him, and together
they would adjust matters. Gracefully
poised on the time-wOrn rail Of the
pier. Kathleen Owed into an oncoming
breaker.
Closely following her powerful
stroke, a mountainous breaker grasped
Kathleen in its embrace. Desperate
" fighting. she freed herself from the
whirl of the terrific undertow and rose
to the surface. She made feeble eff
fort to swim, but the furious sea, leap
ing after her. again caught and pound
ed her into submission, dragging her
toward low sea wall. Giving up the
struggle, she called out "Pete Pete e.
Two powerful arms grasped her
body. Pete. fighting like demon, was
holding her up With his right arm,
he cut the water, and together they
resisted the mad sea.
In a sheltered spot among the sand
dunes, resting in Pete's arms, they
watched a dull sun slip behind a dis
tant mountain peak.
Dinner hour It's overv gasped
Pete. sitting up straight.
We've lost our Places laughed
Kathleen.
Kathleen fairly danced down the hill
to the boat landing. Pete trudged ST.
lently by her side. Both out of jobs,
she laughed ruefully.
Wen find a minister at Portland"
said Pete.
Kathleen was silent. Perhaps the
telling of her side of the story might
be postponed. Their trunks were I'M