Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1918-05-10
On Tiime!
By ALVAH JORDAN GARTH

ed MeadowbrOok he carried away with
him a lesson in promptitude that gave
him much mental after-food, and the
memory of a fair, winsome face that
he never forgot. Dallas represented a
large law firm, negotiating for a fac
tory site, and in John Wade, the owner
of Meadowbrook, he found an anxious
client.
You see, I have only my daughter"
the old man told Dallas, land the place
Is too large for u.s." They soon came
to terms. Dallas arranged to bring a
contract and an initial payment to bind
the bargain at eight o'clock the next
morning. 1t wa nine when he awoke
and hurried on his clothes and did not
even stop for breakfast.
Il W your father a thousand apolo-
gies," he told Ethel Wade, when she
came to the door.
Papa is very strict regarding BUSH
ness rules" she said to the visitor.
"Punctuality has been the guiding
principle in his life, and he waited till
the clock had struck eight, and then
drove over to Lockport. He will not
be home until three o'clock"
Dallas felt embarrassed He had
counted on getting back to the city by
noon, and at that end his delay might
cause notice.
you must sit down in the shade of
the porch until 1 get you a cupful of
coffee" she insisted. and ten minutes
later reappeared with a tray holding
coffee that Dallas denominated as nee
tar, some preserved peaches with
cream and homemade rolls, dispatch
ed to the last crumb, a high compli-
ment to the cookery of his fair young
hostess.
Three pretty girls wearing cover-al1
aprons came shyly up the walk an hour
later. Ethel introduced her friends,
who 1t developed had come to help her
pick Strawberries for preserving.
Perhaps l might put in the idle time
I must pass at the hotel, helping you,"
suggested Dallas, and soon they were
a jolly, happy quintette. Dallas smear
ed his fingers picking the berries, and
was provided with an apron, like the
others. There was a delicious lunch
at noontime and the berries all picked
by two o'clock, after the most delight
full experience in the life of Richard
Dallas.
AT promptly three O'Clock stern, pre-
else old Mr.. Wade appeared. He did
mot allude to the broken engagement,
but he said as Dallas departed:
"One week from today, then, you
will be here to close up the deal? We
will make it at moo Mr.. Dallas"
81 won't be late, this time" pledged
Dallas, and Ethel went down the road
a bit with him to show him a short
cut pasture path to the town, and he
departed c%herishing the anticipation Of
their next meeting.
Upon the day appointed, on his way
to Meadowbrook Mr.. Dallas found him
self blocked from covering the last
miles of his journey. 1t had rained
almost continuously for q week, a
cloudburst had swept away a dam and
the river was a raging torrent. Those
south of the main junction were prac-
tically marooned so far as rail or road
progress was concerned.
"You cannot make it till the water
SUBSIDIES" an oldest inhabitant' told
Dallas, but the latter was headstrong.
He located an old yawl, weather-beats
en-, but sound, and r~ecklessly trusted
himself to the raging waters.
That was a thrilling hour for the de-
termined ~adventurer. The oars were
of little use save to keep the boat from
whirling in swirls and eddies. Twice
great floating mass of wreckage and
debris were encountered and he was
nearly upset in midstream.
81 shall make it," he ~soliloquized,
with a glow of masterful triumph on
his face, "and I shall be in time. And
welcome, too" he added, for coming in
sight Of the Wade place, he was star
tied to discover it surrounded by wa
ter. Nearly all of the lower story was
submerged. From an upper window,
a sheet, a signal of distress, was being
waved. 1t required skill and strength
TO direct the yawl up to the side of
the house.
"Catch the rope" ordered Dallas, as
he reached the window and saw Mr..
Wade, pale and p~erturbed, and Ethel,
anxious and trembling. beyond it. ION
time, on this occasion"
"Oh, hurry hurryP' voiced Ethel,
breathlessly. Don't wait for any
thing. papa" she pleaded.
The old man, bearing a satchel, con-
tanning what he could gather up Of
his more valuable belongings, was in
duced to get into the boat. Dallas
climbed through the window to assist
Ethel. Then, all safely aboard, they
had not gone 90 yards when with a
great sway, the structure they had left
sank to one side, in ruins.
Everything gonel" groaned Mr..
Wade. "Of course you want your for4
felt honey back and the deal can