The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-12-07

ana delicate attention as homage "a
her worth.
Particularly one afternoon did Boyd,
passing the home of relative where
Miss WorthIngton was spending her
vacation, and learning that the object
Of his interest was gone on her usual
stroll, hasten to seek her. There had
come call for him from his father
in the city. He felt that he must in
some way apprize his inamorata Of
his sentiments toward her. Going
down the right bank of the broad
stream, he paused In dlsmay when he
saw Miss Worthington on the opposite
shore.
She was viewing the scenery through
n field glass, and he, standing near a
rising slope of gaunt black rock, lifted
his hat and waved 1t as she made an
unmistakable gesture of glad and
friendly recognition. Then reckless
impulse swayed him.
'I'll do itw he breathed, hard and
resolute.
Boyd picked up a fragment Of the
chalky stone with which the lower
formation of the rocks abounded. He
moved towards the black face Of stone.
Deliberately he traced across its sur
face the words, II love YOU"
Breathlessly he stood aside, his
heart beating like q trip hammer. He
noted that the lovely lady across the
stream raised the field glasses to her
eyes. He was sure her glance was
fixed upon the rude scrawl. He SEEM
ed able, even at the distance of 200
feet, to note a quick flush TO her
cheeks, thrilling flash to her glorious
eyes. In wild suspense and then in
Joy, he fancied he detected the start
Of an encouraging wave Of her dainty
hand, as she lowered the glasses, and
then-a hayward gust of wind swept
her beautiful picture hat from her
head and into the stream.
Splash!
Without a moments thought or de-
lay this modern knight of chivalry
plunged into the stream. With clasped
hands and rlveted gaze, the owner Of
the pretty hat stood watching Boyd.
She saw the hat floating to mid stream,
he after it swiftly. He seized it just
as he neared one of the numerous lit
tie clumps of reeds that formed islands
in the river. Suddenly he went down.
Miss WorthingtOn uttered a terrified
scream and sank to the ground in a
swoon. Some picnickers nearby has
tened to her side.
Boyd's foot had caught in a sunk
en- mass of tangled roots. Entangled,
he sank but through powerful efforts
was able to pull free, coming up five
feet away, where the high reeds
screened him from view from the op-
posite shore.
He pulled away the rDpelike strands
about his feet, struck out for shore,
reached it, soaked and dripping. Her
head pilIowed in the lap of a lady,
Daphne opened her eyes.
"Oh! he is lost-drOwned /" she
walled, and then she noticed the limp,
dripping figure coming up the bank.
Her hat in his hand. A seraphic smile
crossed her face, and she became again
insensible
Boyd delivered the hat to one Of the
picnickers, knew that Miss Worthing-
ton was in safe hands, and vanished.
Looking the half-drOwned rat, he had
no desire to be seen by his fastidious
lady love in that plight. An hour
later, however, in his usual neat
trim, Boyd learned that Miss Worth
ington had not yet returned home, and
sought her across the river shore.
In the distance he discovered her.
Daphne was seated ON a rock near
the spot where the love scrawl was.
She was gazing at 1t refectively. He
came near to her. She arose with a
grateful smile upon her beautiful lips
and neatly glOved hand extended.
"You frightened me sol" she said,
with little shiver. "All for a worth
less hat"
"You pardon my-my boldness, I
hope?" broke in Boyd, impetuously,
pointing to the writing on the rock.
1T was impudent of me, 1 know.
Please forgive"
ANY woman may be proud of the
honest homage those words imply"
$50 simple-must seem childish to
a lady who can so grandly describe"
ut is their simplicity that makes
them so sweet" murmured Daphne.
do you know any more tender when
they come from a true-hearted man?"
'I am that!" vociferated Boyd, car
ried completely out of himself. "Oh.
Miss Worthington what do you say to
that foolish scrawl"
"Thls," replied Daphne, her face
lglow, and she picked up fragment
If the chalky rock and added a word,
4 single word to the chronicle, so that
t read to the ecstatic eyes of Boyd
Tyson:
81 love you-too."