Catoctin clarion., 1918-09-05
THE EARLY BIRD
BY elizabeth NOLAN.


Moore. This is the third time I've call
ed you. You said we should go in
bathing every morning before break
fast, and here a whole week of our
vacation Is near gone and we have
not been in the water once"
"All right" groaned Beth, as she
sleeply rubbed her eyes. "I'll get
down in a minute"
"Now, be sure" said Jennie, as she
ran downstairs, out onto the beach and
to the waters edge, where she com
fortably seated herself to await Beth's
arrival.
The two girls had planned months
past for this big vacaton-the first
two weeks Of August. Hunting through
vacation books and time tables they
finally had settled upon Salisbury
Beach. OF course, the bathing was to
be their greatest amusement as both
; were expert swimmers. Quite con-
trary to their plans, however, dane
ing and bowling had occupied most
of their time up to the first weeks
! end.
Jennie waited for nearly half an
hour and then decided that Beth must
have turned over, only to fall asleep,
on the other side, as she had so often
done before. Knowing that 1t must be
near breakfast time she thought she
would take one plunge before return
Ing At first the water seemed Icy cold
| IL, ,.,.l
! Ing that she had longer to stay, the
water was so invigorating. just one
more good swim and then she would
go and dress for breakfast, she said to
herself. But alas. 1t was one swim
too many for Jennie Dever. Carried
out by the mighty waves and held by
the strong undertow, she could not
swim an Inch nearer the shore. To
scream would be of no use as there
was not soul on the whole beach, so
courageously she fought the waves.
still hoping to be able to make some
| progress. To her great surprise and
relief she could now see the form of
I someone in the distance Fastening to-
ward her, oh thought Jennie, will
tnev ever kel mere!
Tom Hurd, clerk at the "Castle
Mona" had been watching the "early
bird" and now, convinced that she
was In distress. ran down the beach
and hastily seized the llfesaving boat.
dragged 1t into the water. Rowing out
as quickly as possible, he was just in
time to rescue the PROSTATE form from
sinking. Others had now gathered
round the shore ready to receive them,
with all things necessary to make the
| victim as comfortable as possible. Tom
deposited his burden In the great warm
blankets and hastily they carried her
! to the hotel.
Poor Jennie, too exhausted to speak,
soon found herself resting comfort.
| ably in her own bed, while Beth, eyes
brmming over with tears, lamented
the fact that she had fallen asleep
again almost Immediately after Jen-
ME left her.
"How nice that fellow was who res
cued you. I've seen him around here
all week." continued Beth. ~ think
he must be employed here" Gaining
no reply from Jennie she did not en-
thuse further over the hero Of the day.
Noticing that Jennie was doing she
quietly took magazine and tried to
interest herself in 1t. Presently o
gentle knock on the door annou'
the arrival of Miss White, the pr
etress, with breakfast for the two girls.
"Gracious," said Beth, show kind Of
you. I had completely forgotten that
1t was past eating time"
Jennie reused herself sufficiently to
take few sips Of coffee while Beth
fairly devoured the delicious corn muf-
fins.
A good sound sleep greatly improved
Jennie, and the afternoon found her
seated in an easy chair on the spacious
veranda. while Tom Hurd occupied the
chair by her side.
After supper that evening Jennie re-
tired quite early and Tom found him
self wondering how he had spent other
evenings. Tonight there seemed to be
no place to go, or nothing worth while
to do. But tomorrow evening she
would be able to stay up, and possibly
~ EO 10 tl1e uulCe, tOo. Inc lllouSllt
alone was consoling to him, and In idle
dreams he spent the evening until lock-
ing up time arrived.
Jennie rested all day, and finally
yielding to Toms coaxing, she agreed
to take q short stroll along the beach
after supper.
Was 1t to be wondered at that Dan
Cupid completed his errand In that
one evening? What more powerful
weapons could there be than the "sl-
very moon," combined with the
enchanting "sad sea waves to work
successfully on two loving hearts.
"Just as soon as / finish medical
school," added Tom, "and how glad I
am this Is my last year"
Arm In arm they returned to the
"Castle Mona," Jennie too happy for
words, and Tom convinced that he
had won the sweetest girl in the whole
world.
When Jennie returned to her home
how surprised were her friends to see
sparkling diamond on the third
finger of her left hand, for as Beth
explained to her acquaintances that
was the morning that "the early bird
caught the worm."
Seemed to Be Both.