Evening star., 1925-02-22
The Vannp Capper
BY LAWRENCE PERRY.
Cards and Love and the Home Town Librarian
BY LAWRENCE PERRY,

Noakes was not to have the privl-
lege of taking Lefty in to dinner,
as it happened. Hartshorne claimed
this honor. Everything that his ap-
pearance had suggested to Lefty he
seemed to be. His demeanor was per-
feet and Lefty had never imagined
that savoir faire could be so nicely
exemplified in a living person. And
he suggested-oh, so graphically
brave moments in which he would be
the cool, dominating central figure.
She could not but regret the note
of dissonance struck by Noates. He
had taken Mrs. Candy in, and while
it would have been unjust to call
him gauche-Letty had begun to find
1t necessary to interlard her thoughts
with just the appropriate Gallo ex-
pressions-at least, the girl decided
he was a bit awkward and something
of q morose rather than an attentive
or interested listener.
After dinner she found herself at
cards as partner with a Mr.. Arbuth-
not, a glossy, rubicund man. playing
against a New York banker and his
wife. Noakes. Lefty noticed, had been
claimed as partner by Mrs. Candy and
they were opposed TO Hartshorne and
Mrs. Lorin Drew.
After the points were counted the
New York banker handed Arbuthnot
$500. As the girl stared at him he
handed Lefty $3.50.
"But-but-I didn't understand we
were playing for" The girl hesi-
tated as she saw the banker and his
wife exchange amused smiles with
her partner.
1T has been a wonderful evening,
Mr. Hartshorne," she said to her host.
having not the slightest intention
now of even intimating that playing
auction for money was for her an
unusual manner of spending an eve
ming.
She turned to Noakes as he came
up and handed Hartshorne a check,
which the host placed IN his pocket
| with a nod of thanks. not glancing
at II.
T ETTY had some more philosophy
A upon the subject of wearing ap-
parel upon the beach next day. In
evening clothes Halsey Hartshorne
had been as dashing and distin guish-
ed as imaginable. quite outshining
Jerry Noakes. But now in bathing
suits it was the other way. Noakes
was as beautifully muscled and put
together as that Grecian statue
standing in the entrance to the IL
brary at home, whereas all Hart
shorne's poise could not conceal the
fact that he was, we'll, at least not
of the ideal physique. Lefty shrug-
ged. After all, he could criticize a
statue, even granting he would not
be acceptable as a model for one.
And that was the main thing. Brains
I-wit-culture. People in the last
analysis are but racks for clothes.
! Men don't live in bathing suits.
The three plunged into a wave to-
gether. Hartshorne, she noticed, had
an engaging overland stroke. Noakes
swan sturdily upon his side. She
was between the two.
Lefty had a sense of swimming 6
better than she ever had in her life,
| more swiftly.
Suddenly, as she ceased for a mo-
ment to swim, she felt herself going
along just the same.
There came an exclamation from
Hartshorne.
"Noakes, we're caught in a sea
puss!"
"Yes-keep cool. Swim with it."
But with a cry Hartshorne launched
| sidewise, fighting and clawing at the
water like madman. And evidently
| he was near the edge of that deathly
outward sluice that forms so suddenly
| in the sea upon this section of the
coast. for with a shout of relief he
found himself out of the grip of the
swift waters and began to make
headway toward the beach, calling
| loudly for help.
"Jerryi"
ITS all right. Lefty. Can you keep
swimming? Wen have to follow 1t
out"
"I could, but I'm frightened--'
Her voice broke in a half-laugh, half
sob.
That's all right. Put your hand,
your left hand, upon my shoulder and
stroke with your right"
| She did SO and felt a warming re-
| lief in the feel of the big muscle
working so evenly beneath the palm
Of her hand.
"But Jerry, we're getting SO far
from land
"I know. But the life guards are
launching their boat. Just hold up
and that'll be all that's necessary.
But you mustn't talk. You must save
your strength"
nN they went in silence, and the feel
~ of that resistless drag upon her
body was terrifying in its silent,
ruthless power.
Then at length she cried aloud. as
she felt a cessation of the drag upon
| her.
Jerry, we're out"
In another minute the sturdy life
guard had heaved it alongside and he