Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-06-11
HELEWS RESCUE
BY EN- MA LlBBEY

Helen Ramsey presented a fair pic
ture as she floated on the pond in her
little skinf. The morning sun shone
brightly on her %profusion of golden
| curls, and the brisk breeze blew her
light dress around her In picturesque
confusion. Fido, glossy black of coat,
curled at her feet, jumping up at
times to bark shrilly at the low-fying
swallows swooping along the surface
of the water.
She was unusually quiet and a deep
violet shade that crept into her blue
thought. The summer was coming to
a close, and she was thinking of how
dull 1t would seem in her city home
without Reggie Vandyke. For a year
he had been constant in his attentions
and she was well aware that only her
own coquettish evasions had kept him
from telling of his love In words. And
now he was gone out of her life, sent
away by her In anger because he had
cuffed the ears Of Fido when that PAM
pered canine had endeavored to plant
an affectionate kiss on his face.
Letting the bars hang loosely In her
hands her thoughts wandered back to
the occurrence. He was brutal, to be
sure. but then everyone did not love
dogs. She sighed as the thought came
to her hat she would never feel
the pressure of Reggie's lips against
hers, and as she realized the boldness
of her thoughts a flush Of crimson
crept over her fair face.
She was aroused from her reverie by
a sudden blast Of cold air that careened
her boat until 1t seemed that 1t would
capsize. A second gust tore the oars
from her grasp and spun the boat diz-
zily around. Fido. In an ecstasy OF
| fear, crept into her lap and tried to
kiss her face, but the thought was now
repulslve to her, and as she pushed
him into the bottom of the boat
thoughts Of Reggie came to her and
she found herself longing for his strong
arms and steady stroke to carry her to
safety.
The beautiful morning had vanished,
a sudden tempest having burst upon
the pond while she had been drifting
along. The gale increased In strength
and the roll of thunder grew into ter
rife crashes, while vivid sheets Of IRE
Iightened up the black clouds. The tor
rents of driving rain had drenched
Helen, and her pretty white frock with
| Its flying ribbons chung in folds about
| her chilled limbs. Her wealth Of hail
| curled more closely to her head and
shone In the flashes Of lightning like Q
halo above her pale and terrified face
The binding sheets Of rain had shut on
all view Of the shore and, despairing OF
rescue. Helen prayed silently and
| awaited what seemed like certain
death. Fido, head uplifted, howled ir
| terror. sending out spasms Of SOUND
that 1t seemed impossible could come
from so small a body.
Suddenly from behind the veil Of
| rain came a faint "Halloo," and the
| color came back to Helen's pale face
Safety was at hand. She was certain
Of 1t, for that was Reggie's voice. She
gave no thought to how he CHANGED Il
be there In the storm, but was content
as she knew she was safe when he wal
near. Fido barked and howled In alter
nation. and soon. dlmly seen through
the binding rain. came a dory impellet
by Reggie's strong arms. As he drew
up to the tossing skiff he threw on'
arm around Helen and lifted her int
the dory, clasping her for an instan
to his bosom in an agony Of delight
Fido, with a courage developed fron
his fear. scrambled into the boat. ant
both maid and dog huddled in
drenched heap in the bottom Of tn
dory. 1t was q long and desperate
struggles against the wind, and Reggi'
was almost exhausted when a score o
willing hands grasped the boat at tn
shore and Helen fell into her father
arms.
An hour later Helen and Reggi'
stood at a window In the Ramsey cot
tage with his arm around her walls
and her fair head resting happily Of
his shoulder. Reggie" she Whispered
Il think I win give Fido away. ! neve
want him to kiss me again." With
loving look at the fair face resting O