Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1921-12-31
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parish he had looked upon her as his
to take or leave at will.
Until now he had not been sure he
loved her. She had seemed but half
alive. "A flower blossoming away from
sunshine, No wonder-living as she
did in gray old house. with gray
elders for company. and lacking even
the stimulus Of unqualified wishes.
Her money had not tempted him-he
was too vital to be mercenary. withal
far from needy Now, lit with loves
fine fire. she was wholly adorable,
wholly desirable. Have her he must
and would. despite this pestllent out
slider.
A born actor. he masked his anger
under seeming Of jolly fellowship
before the wedding. the going away
and other frivolities had ended he had
scraped remote college acquaintance
with Kenton and all but compelled him
To come and share the bachelor free
dom Of the rectory. Here the weather
helped hint had turned suddenly
torrid after single day Of freshets
that sent streams out of banks. They
were small but many. running down
to the mill pond. which stretched
broad silent, silvery, for two miles
above the big mill. The rectory
abutted the pond-so did Thornway,
Marjorie's home. Consequently she
swan like mermaid, and loved moth
ing better than water race before
sunrise in the heat of summer.
Ruel lladden had been her competl-
tor many times. but not always victor.
Her adrOitneSs offset his greater
strength. Commonly they went mid
way the pond In canoe, stcadicd 1t
with a mOoring In deep placid water,
leapt oversize and spent bllssful min
uteS in clear. cold water almost ocean
blue ut its decpS.
kcnton swain only moderately well.
mainly through lack of practice. still
he did not love the water. Yet be-
tween the waters enticement, Had
denis challenging eyes and MarjUric's
radiant face ut mention of IA water race
he could not hang back He would lose
lose. She was his beirothed-he
waited only upon such lapse of time
rs would seem to the elders sufficient
to claim her in face of daylight So
through the ashen rose of StirleSs
dawn the canoe shot mid-strcam was
anchored and the race was on Up
current the three swain ut first-ken-
ton incautiously shooting ahead in
stead of saving his strength. He was
half blown when the turn down stream
began-then Marjorie led. with Had
den a yard behind. II was heavenly
To catch breath. going with the current.
now floating for breath's space,
now sinking to the chin folded loving
~ In the waters silken embrace. But
suddenly something caught him,
whirlcd him half about, sucked him
under for second. then as he came
M painting bore him reslstleSsly away
from the others.
He heard MADDEN shout, Back For
your life. The mill race has been
opened" but IL sounded far OF The
whelming current tossed him. buffeted
him-took its will Of him-he fought
It with set teeth, with laboring breath
to the end of strength and stay. Then
with blackness about him he felt
clutch upon his shouldcr-his head
was above water-MarjOrie was beside
him. doing her best 10 draw him into
calmer water. with MADDEN crying
huSkily. Marjorie, this way. I'll save
you or die"
Save both" Marjorie called clear.
~, clinging To Kcnton'S shoulder Her
touch brought new Strcngih-somehow
they drew from the widest rush.
though not 10 safety. MADDEN met
thcm-togcihrr the three were swept
toward the bank, whore giant syca.
more dropped II huge hafbroken
branch within clutching DISTANCE. Blue
Tipped, barely conscious. KentH could
not clutch IT, lIaddcn had Sho3 ed for
help--a skin was racing toWav them
from the upper pond. Butt would
/ come too late unless Marjorie looked
up at the branch already partiu under
their combined weight. "llnNl his
head :" she said family to MADDEN. I'M
clasping her hands as she spoke. Save
Yourself the guilt of the murder you
planned. You knew the race was to
he opened"
IIadden looked into the eyes Of an
accusing angel then YEARLY AT the
boat 1t seemed 10 stand still. despite
frantic rowing. He tore the handler
chief from about his throat-defily.
swiftly he bound Kenton's wrist to
the dipping branch-then looSed his
own hold. and with one word, "For-