Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1920-09-02
A Clever Re.cuer
By wALwoRTH NIXON
"a. 1850. Western Newspaper Uni

AVVASSV MISS LdVlula merton, 6SeO
forty. q typical old maid from the
couture of ages past to the fiat sole
and lOw-heel footgear Of q generation
agone.
Three pairs Of eyes viewed the
speaker both eagerly and anxiously.
They belonged to the grownup "chil-
.dren" of the Doane family-Estelle,
Ayra and Cyril. The two first named
were married and settled in life, Cyril
was single. They all lived in the old
home the widowed mistress of which
had died year previous. 1t was then
that at family conclave an arrange
ment of cooperative companionship
was agreed on. The two married
couples and Cyril divided the budget
Of expense and sent for Aunt Lavinia
to act as housekeeper.
She was neat, economical and ac-
tive. Cleanliness was her hobby and
orderliness her living principle. Half
sister Of Mrs. Doane, she assumed q
certain guardianship over her grown
up charges as If the care had been
left to her as heritage. Almost un-
consciously nieces and husbands and
nephew fell into a tacit obedience to
the ways Of the exacting and at times
mandatory severe taskmaster. She
had made herself blessing to the dis
rupted household, however, and they
held their peace when she demanded
strict discipline as to meal hours and
those Of rising and retiring.
Aunt Lavinia is good as gold" OBJ
served Estelle one day to her sister,
"but 1t is really a relief to get a
change of atmosphere during our
month at the seashore."
Eyes, but she may wish to go with
u.s." remarked Myra.
II hope not" said Estelle, but the
very next day Aunt Lavinia announced
that she had decided to close up the
house during July and spend the
month with someone Of the three
children" II she would be welcome.
you are going to Portland beach,
Estelle, and you to Royal Sands, Myra.
Well, don't like the strong sea air.
You told me you were going to spend
two weeks at Clear lake, Cyril. That
Just suits me. I'll keep you company"
The sisters were filled with secret
Joy. Cyril Doane looked dumfound-
ed. The charge Of his old relative
during his annual period of recrea-
ton was not at all welcome. Her con-
slant presence would involve devot-
edness to whims and wishes that
would spoil his vacation. For a mo-
ment his face fell and his eyes were
cl0uded. Then with brave smile he
conquered his real feelings. A realiza-
ton Of all the kindness and self-sacri-
dee Of this sterling, worthy woman en-
tered his soul.
"Aunt Lavinia," he said genially,
II shall feel 1t proud honor to give
you the time Of your life. You de-
serve the best on earth and l shall de-
vote myself to seeing that you get It,"
"You delightful big boy!" enthused
Miss Merton. with tears in her eyes.
mo wonder love you as If you were
my own son!"
Cyril did not tell his relatives, but
he had an object in selecting Clear
lake as a vacation spot. The season
before he had met there quite infor-
mally among group Miss Vera
Blake. He had never before been so
Impressed and memory of her fair
face had remained with him. He I'M
derstood that she came to the lake
annually and hoped the opportunity
would materialize to renew the ac-
workmanship.
Cyril saw to 1t that Aunt Lavinia
was surrounded by every comfort at
the resort hotel. Miss Blake had not
arrived, but, Cyril heard, was expect
ed with her mother during the week
His favorite recreation was canoeing.
Aunt Lavinia accompanied him sew
eral times, and one afternoon had
come as far as the beach and had
placed In the canoe her umbrella and
wrap, when she said:
II am so timid on the water in a
storm, Cyril, and think we are go
ing to have one."
ANVI DC1OIC VIC Adtc OIlc
trip" declared Cyril, but as lady in
variably set in her opinions Miss
Lavinia returned to the hotel and
Cyril started out alone.
Miss Lavinia's prediction came true
an hour later. The wind blew and the
rain fell, and Cyril was making a
hasty dash for the shore when he no
ticed canoe nearly half mile Off
shore contending vainly with the ris-
ing clements Of the tempest. He could
make out form feminine apparently
in whiriing craft. Then 1t cap
sized outright and the imperiled being,
whoever she was, chung desperately to
the overturned canoe
Cyril could make no progress
against the battling winds, but quick
suggestion came to him. He seized
Aunt Lavinia's umbrella, outspread It,
and with this unique sail was borne
through the water straight toward
the spot where the accident occurred.
There was double glory Of hero
Ism and delight when he had lifted
the victim Of mishap from her dan
gerous position, for she was Miss
Blake, the lady Of his thoughts-the
loIv - hSc nbot,o -.