The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-03-18
THE DAILY
SIIORI !. ST s ! 9.,lRI !. J!
Iloirelei.
BysR, RAY BAKER.

".
we'll, Il was tust q common comb
Ard Lprelei was singing, just as
hrrfabied namesake, the siren, was
won't ID. sing. But this song was
not Intended 10 lure boatmen to
their doom on the Jagged rocks be.
low II simply meant that Jorelei
s'as happy aud care free. There
was something enticing about the
] Golden hair. but she couldn't help
that It was wet, for she had been
swimming, and she was combing It
IN the sun 70 dry It.
This Loretai had no thought Of
Turing any man to his doom. She
did,not care especially for men, and
she cared for no special man. II
she was q siren, she was not to
blame.
However, there was a boatman,
and he was itired to his doom-it
falling in love may DO referred to
that way, He was padding a canoe
dexteroualy down tho swift little
river. skiilfully avoiding the rocks
that lined the narrow channel. The
current was so swift It was almost
g rapids until II reached a point
right under Loreiei's perch, where
II became peaceful in a wide, cir
eiilar pool. It was deep there as
we'll as peaceful, because the round.
ed banks. with only a small outlet,
served as an effective dam.
The boatman should have kept
his eyes on the channel and he
would have avoided mishap. True,
lie would have nlIssed-but thar
comes later. Naturally he heard
the song and his eyes strayed up.
ward. Glinting sunlight, reflected
From the golden hair, hypnotized
him and the canoe shot out OF its
path and struck a rock which
piefced the bottom OF the craft.
While at the same time ovetturning
" The boatnlan was pitched into
slie rushing water. which carried
MIN along to the deep pool. "A cry
escaped his throat as She sank be.
meath the surface, his hands pro.
truding for an instant after the
head vanished. In a moment he
bcbbed up again, seemed to stran.
slef but managed to get out a short
yelp OF despair. Then down he
vent once more.
This time Lorelet went after him.
piscarding her comb, unfurling her
almostdry hair to the wind, she
stood erect, poised for an instant on
the ledge with her supple body bent
forward, outstretched hands close
together, and achieved a graceful
dive that made the pool open in
the center to receive her. 1t was
at least 100 feet from the ledge t.
the pool, but Lorelei hesitated not
the fraction Of a second when she
appraised the situation. She had
not seen the boatman approaching,
so noiselessly had he plotted his
eSratt and so busy was shein comb.
'lhgg her hair and laughing at tho
SKY. And that first cry he uttered
Served as the first intimation that
something was occurring below that
required her attention.
Even as the girl leaped to save
the mans life she made scornful
remark TO herself about an idiot
who couldn't swim venturing such
6 dangerous passage in a frail ca.
noe: Il should be mentioned here
that Lorelei was CARRIED in a bath.
wing costume which had not yet
dried after her afternoon dip. It
was left out Of the introduction ad.
Z yisedly, In order not to weaken
the comparison with the tabled
maiden OF the same name.
Down Into the cold depths the girl
disappeared and one lland, fastened
itself firmly on the hair Of the sub.
merged boatman. Quickly she rose
10 the surface with the burden,
and with deft, rapid strokes she
lowed him to the wall OF the stream.
Anarrow ledge few inches above
the water was her objective, and
presently she hauled the boatman
tip on this place OF safety. He lay
still for a short while, then opened
his eyes and looked UP at her. He
appeared In daze at first, but
gradually a smile broke over his
genial face, and then hc laughed.
sThanks," he said simply. "A
hclose call, l should say"
The girls lips curled in. scorn.
SERVES you right" she said,
heaftlessly. what business has a
man who can't swim trying TO pad.
dles a canoe down this current, no
matter how efficient he may be
With Q paddle?"
None at ALL" he agreed. II de.
efye II guess"
Ee scrambled to his feet, taking
care not to slide from the ledge,
and che led him along path which
gradually widened. A break in the
wall appeared, with q natural flight
Of crude steps, and up these they
went 70 a gradual curving incline
that came out on the ledge above.
Here the girl recovered her comb
and. resumed the drying Of her hair,
on rather, she began all over, while
the man found a seat on a rock
and basked In the sun.
Nosword was spoken for q while,
hut presently tho rescued said to
the rescuer:
would 1t be conidered out Of
pisce 10 inquire whether you live in
thta vicinity? You don't, by any
ciianee, happen to be nymph that
this ledge for homer"
She laughed merrlly, having re.
covered her good nature.
NO, I'm not a nymph, but az
present ] am making my homo near
hefe.ss
9Rather dangerous, ] should
think he observed. "I have I'M.
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