Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-09-05
A SUDDEN SHOWER
BY tiELCN BARTLETT.

Elizabeth rmt;,.!cd across the lake
rapidly. her eyes flashing and her lips
set III an angry line.
I'll never speak to Kenneth Rice
again RS long as I live" she said to
herself. Indignantly. mot until he
Apologies. anyway. And ali over n
little thing like refusing to go to u
dance. If he wants to take some
other girl. let him. don't care"
Her face flushed angrly and the
canoe shot forward under the spur OF
her energetic strokes.
He treats me like child. and inst
because we are engaged he expects me
20 do exactly what he tells me to-"
She continued. her thoughts racing with
the speeding canoe. "But after this
shall be free to please myself
In everything. and think perhaps
Will go to that dance. after all-with
someone else"
But the day was too lovely to be
angry long. and soon its charm and the
wonderful beauty Of the lake laid hold
upon her and she glanced about for q
resting place. A tiny island, little
more than shelving rock, lay among
the ripn!ss close by, and on this she
finally landed. drawing the canoe high
on the shore. so that it should not be
tempted to stray. The warm, sweet
mir and the lazy tapping Of the waves
lulled her. and she dreamed in COM
piete forgetfulness.
a distant muttering of thunder
aroused her sharply. The sky had be-
come filled with flying clouds. while
brisk wind was stirring the rippIes
into formidable waves and bringing a
promise Of still more dangerous stir
rings.
With nervous hands she pushed of
the nose Of the canoe from the shore
and was about to get in when a voice
behind her startled her. and she turned
to find Kenneth Rice in his canoe.
keeping 1t In position with difficulty.
"You must come home with me in
my canoe" he said sternly, without
Difference. "The lake is too danger
GUS for you to attempt to return by
yourself"
1t was probably the tone Of
his voice. something In his manner.
perhaps. or the words themselves,
which Elizabeth resented.
mo. thank YOU" she retortcd sweet
ly. 81 could not think OF troubling
you"
But you couldn't paddle ten yards
when this lake really gets going" he
protested impatiently. Come, Betty.
don't he foolish"
"Will you kindly allow me to he
mistress Of my own affairs? You will
please remember we are no longer en-
gagged" she remarked icily.
For one dignified moment Kenneth
relapsed into silence, but when he saw
her preparing to start he earnestly
protested again.
For heavens sake, Betty, come
with me. That boat will never get
you to Rocky Point and the wind is
getting worse every minute. Even IL
you do succeed in reaching the shore
you'll be drenched with rain and wet
to- the skin"
and then. paddle in hand, climbed into
her own canoe. She cleared the rock,
gained short distance, and In an
other moment the canoe overturned as
If upset by giant hand. For bitter
moment she struggled frantlcally In
the water. and then firm hand grip
ped her rudely by the arm. shook her
into submission. and she felt herself
being propelled swiftly back to the
rock
Fear, anger and humiliation strug.
gled for supremacy, and she burst into
tears. The wind now blew into great
gusts. and the lightning flashed with
frightful wildness. The storm was
upon them in deadly earnest.
Kenneth for while left her entirely
to herself, drawing their canoes high
onto the rock and busying himself
about the tiny place. He neither look
ed mt her nor spoke to her, maintain
ing silence as absolute rs If he
were alone. A wildly glaring burst OF
flame crossed the heavens. Elizabeth
shrank in fright.
"Kcnncth," she murmured. hardly
knowing that she WINS calling him. He
paid no attention. Another flash, and
crash of thunder overhead brought
her to her knees.
Kenneth" she cried wildly. "Oh
Kenneth. I'm so frightened"
"Im here If you want me-" Kenneth
answered coolly, and she stopped,
amazed. He had always been the one
to coax, to beg and to plead. Even
the terrors of the storm could not
check her establishment.
Another wild burst drove away the
surprise.
ooh, Ken, dear" she cried, won't
you please come here? I'm SO fright
eDed!"
He came to her side quickly and