Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-03-22

SenEerS were Cplupcitcu 10 Etiiaih IA
their staterooms. Among these latter
were Mrs. Howard and Hal Denison.
who declared himself fair weather
sailor.
But Daisy Howard and Ben Pear
/ son braved the inclemency Of the
weather and the rain swept decks. and
! each day found them pacing to and
I fro. discussing a thousand and one
| topics, but usually swinging back to
| that most interesting one. absorbing
| alike to the young man and the girl.
| the heroic adventures of MIR. Benjamin
| Pearson.
There came a day when the party
landed at tee island of Capri to visit
the famous grottoes. Somehow Ben
| Pearson had attached himself to Mrs.
Towards party, and IL had become
| customary now for Ben to escort Daisy
Howard on these excursions, while
Mrs. Howard and Hal Denison follow
ed In the rear
Pearson had visited the island the
previous year, and he had much to re-
late of an adventure that befell the
party Of which he was a member. He
told the story modestly enough. but II
had the invariable ending. A child
had fallen from one OF the rocks Into
a deep, silent pool He. Pearson. had
plunged into the icy depths and restor-
ed the child to its mothers arms.
This Is the very spot" said Pearson.
pointing before him.
Daisy looked. She glimpsed the
dark blue water. still and Icy. A glance
over her shoulder showed that the 9th
er members Of the party had gone on
to another grotto. Only her mother
and Hal Denison were near. Daisy
turned her head toward Pearson, and
her lips parted In dazzling smile.
At that moment her foot slipped, and
with little cry of terror she caught
herself. stumbled and then plunged
down into the icy pool.
As she disappeared Ben Pearson
rushed frantically up and down the
brink of the pool and reared for help.
Mrs. Howard swooned away, and
Hal Denison. tossing aside hat aud
coat. poised on the edge of the pool and
then dived down. When he came up
be brought the girl with him, dripping
wet and shivering with cold. but quite
conscious.
Halls face was white and stern as
he disdained Parsons hastily offered
assistance. and somehow he scrambled
upon the rocks and bore Daisy to
safety.
His shouts brought the guide and
other members of the party, and, hay
ing administered rsstoratives and Dor
rowed steamer rug from rheumatic
old gentleman. he wrapped Daisy in II
and. lifting her easily In his arms. bore
her to fisherman's hut on the shore
Mrs. Howard, having been restored
to consciousness, followed on the arm
OF one OF the men. and soon she was
assisting her daughter to dry her gar
ments before roaring fire In the fish
erman's cottage.
Daisy was very pale and silent, and
Hal Denison was equally reticent.
Mrs. Howard. noticing that Hal was
dripping wet and shivering with cold.
insisted that they return to the tourist
steamer at once. so that the young
man might be put under the care Of the
ships doctor. As for Daisy. she ap-
peared in her normal health when she
was arrayed in the picturesque gala
attire Of the fisherman's daughter. As
for Marta. the slim. DARK eyed girl. she
wept with delight over the gold pieces
which Mrs. Howard had given her In
exchange for the garments and de-
clared that they would buy her wed
ding clothes.
Once ON board the Celeste, Mrs. How
ard placed Hal in the care Of the doc
tor and was relieved that he would
suffer no more than a severe cold as a
consequence OF his heroic deed.
As for Mr. Ben Pearson he had quite
disappeared from the view Of the How
ard party. and 1t was several days aft
erward that Mrs. Howard espied him
gloomily patrolling the deck alone.
Daisy was below in the library. read
ing to Hal Denison.
Presently Ben Pearson approached
Mrs. Howard with unusual difiidence
In his manner.
Il beg your pardon. Mrs. Howard"
he said quite humbly, but l would
like to make an explanation"
Yes" asked Mrs. Howard coolly.
"Aaout the other day at the grotto."
"iSdeed:''
Il suppose you were quite surprised
that did not jump in and rescue Miss
Howard at once. You may have OBJ
served that I'm hard hit with Miss
Daisy. | think there's no one like her.
and I'd like TO believe that she owed
her life to me. But He Redeemed
uncomfortably and looked over the
side at the swiftly rushing water
Butt prompted Mrs. Howard
kindly.
But, you see. can't swim stroker'
y.