The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1917-12-26
NOT 50 SLOW
BY CLIFFORD HlLLMAN.

After he had settled hlmSelI CON-
fortably in his seat In the Pullman car
he rather regretted his ihasty decision.
''The place will be- absolutely for
saken at this tlme," he unused. "Im
fool for making such trip just on
impulse" ,,.,
He glanced rather indifferently out
OF the window. Then he sat up with
a start, his face alighting with new
and sudden interest in life. For COM
ing directly toward the door Of the car
in which he was seated was a negro
porter, and following in his wake was
q girl.
His eyes rested upon her face. He
could not tell exactly what 1t was that
held his gaze. Perhaps it was the hint
of roses in her cheeks or the semblance
Of a twinkle in her eye. Somewhere
within him there stirred the vague
hope that she might possibly be head.
ed for the same destination as himself,
namely the Ocean House.
IF she only is," he thought, I'm the
luckiest fellow in the world.'
The train rumbled along its way.
Dull gray clouds which had threat
ened rain throughout the day suddenly
made good their threat, and large
drops splattered against the window
pane. The girl looked up and sighed,
and the heart Of Douglas Jones missed
q beat.
Finally the train drew to snorting
halt ut Ocean Beach. The girl whose
name Douglas did not know adjusted
her furs, buttOned her blue coat more
tightly around her neck and descend
ed the steps Of the cur, Douglas fol-
lowing closely in the vain hope that
something might happen which would
give him the chance to play the part
Of heroic gallant.
Douglas had hoped that the interior
Of the spacious hotel would present q
pleasing contrast to the dreariness OF
the rainy night, but in this he was
mistaken. The big lobby. was com.
pletely shut of from the other rooms
q few guests, mostly elderly gentle.
men, lolled on the Over-stuffed divans
and read the evening papers. From
around the corner came the sound OF
Gathering dishes.s
Douglas lighted the biggest cigar he
could buy and, seating himself before
the closed window against which the
rain battered ceaselessly, gazed out
over the deserted boardwalk. A hun
dretl yards away he could see the flick
ering lights Of the natatorium, which
was the only attraction in Ocean
Beach open throughout the winter. As
ne looked q crowd Of. what appeared
to be young men and women turned
q nearby corner and made their way
Into the building. Douglas sat up.
I'm glad there's someone alive in
this forsaken hole" he muttered. Il
think I'll take swim myself"
A few minutes later, having fought
his way against the biting wind and
rain, he entered the natatorium. Hav-
ing secured suit which he made sure
was not three sizes too large, he
strolled leisurely into the mems DRESS
ing section. A CHEEKY voice which sur.
prised him almost out Of his senses
greeted him.
swell, IL It isn't Douglas Jones
What in the world are you doing
hereT
'"Tom Burbank! What do you know
about that!"
Douglas seized the outstretched
hand Of the former roommate In col.
lege and knew that his troubles were
ut an end.
I'm here at a house party" Tom
explained. give men and four girls.
We're getting dressed for a SWIM"
Four girls! The dying hope In Doug
las heart revived suddenly.
ibid one of the girls come In on
the six o'clock train and did she wear
white furs2" he asked excltedly.
For moment Tom pondered.
"You must mean Evelyn DAWSON"
he answered finally. "She couldn't get
here until late."
do you know her well?"
II should say So; she's my sisters
chum."
''Come on, let's get on our suits"
50 It took Douglas a remarkably short
time to don his suit, but when lie
entered the pool the others were be-
fore him. And there in the midst Of
group Of smiling young ladies was
the girl of the train.
Tom performed the introduction.
There was just the hint Of a twinkle
In Evelyn's eyes as she greeted the
newcomer.
II have an idea that I've seen you
somewhere before" she remarked.
"You did," Douglas answered hap
PLY. II sat opposite you on the train
for two hours" ~
It was perhaps forty minutes later
when Mildred Terrill, hostess Of the
house party, suggested that Douglas
remove his belongings from the Ocean
House ana Join the others ut her COT
tage. For moment Douglas hesitat-
ed, and then hi" looked fairiyrinto the
eyes of Evelyn DAWSON. Something
In, her answering look told him that