The Monmouth inquirer., 1926-10-14
The Chance He
Took
By CORA BENNETT
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marked deep water. For awhile he sat
there, watching gayly-tinted crowds
that thronged the beach and scattered
into the water Then he would swim
again, sliding down the rock until his
feet almost touched bottom and soon
! he would come up again, buoyant and
alive, ready to swim out to the point
and back again once more.
1t didn't turn out exactly as be
had planned Jack slipped down the
rock. feet first, but he knew nothing
of the stout and elderly gentleman
who was floating on his back just be-
meath the surface, almost somnoient
with the joy of the day.
1t was mere chance that the f1Oater
rounded the rock just as Jack decid-
ed to submerge. The result was as
startling as it was Notifying. There
was the moment Of contact, a fishlike
leap on the part of the unhappy
Jack, momentary glimpse of pair
of elderly feet and a red and wrath
full face.
Jack went back to the rock. Il am
sorry, sir" he said apologeticaIiy.
"Of course / could not know you we're
there hope you are not hurt, sir
How can / tell that until l have
seen my doctor?' asked the victim
irascibly. II would like your card
sir!''
"Of course / haven't got one here"
said Jack in a peaceable voice, but
my name is John Allen and l am at
the Cliff hotel"
Suppose you will go kiting off in
high-powered car as soon as you
get ashore muttered the injured one
my name is. Flood iii get you
wherever you are.
AS Jack swan away toward the
ocean, he told himself grimly there
was just one thing for him to do now
get himself drowned for good and
all.
Had he not just become engaged
to Daisy Flood, the most charming
of the Flood twins, and was he not
waiting around to meet Daisy's father
to put the important question? Mrs
Flood was willing, but Amos Flood,
the well-known lawyer
Daisys father And the prospec-
tive s0n-in-law had almost killed him
Jack had reached the point by this
time and lay painting on the sand.
He was still miserably going over the
accident when a motor boat whoofed
over wave and edged along the
beach. The genial face of the life
guard mooned at him.
There you are, Mr.. Allen" he
called
Here / am-what has happened2
Come to arrest me2Y
Game to rescue you. Miss Daisy
Flood says there's sharks out there"
There's sharks ashore" ret0rted
Jack glumly
The guard laughed heartily. Il saw
you do it" he chortled. He was a
college student on vacation, and had
a strange sense of humor. They put
the old gentleman to bed and sent for
a doctor and a specialist. Money flow
ing like water"
How is he?" growled Jack with u
faint show of interest
Il don't know. But I've orders to
bring you home, dead OF alive
Jack made. himself comfortable in
the boat, and they rushed back to the
hotel, where he found note from
Amos Flood asking him to call at
his suite that evening at nine O'Clock.
sI'll get mine sure as shootin',T
gloomed Jack, and packed his trunk
and bags before he dressed for dinner.
Exactly at the hour named looking
very pale and handsome, the unfoi
| tunate lover presented himself at the
Flood suite
Mrs. Flood welcomed him with tear
sympathetically, and Jean nodded in
her brusque little way There was
nothing to Indicate that this was any
thing except death-bed scene.
oh, Jack" whispered Mrs. Flood
"It does not seem possible.
Has he passed away?" asked
Jack, horror-stricken.
Daisy exchanged a startled look
with her sister "Of course the poor
boy doesn't know she whispered
| There was a mellow laugh in the
| distance, the aroma of good cigar
and Amos Flood ambled into view,
smiling cheerfully like an amiable
cockatoo.
You have saved my life. Jack" h.
said extending hand
Saved your life?' echoed Jack
so | have said"
Il thought / had killed YOU
1T proved to be the kindest thing
you ever did That drastic treatment
was what | needed and have .sust
concluded full-course dinner Of in
digestibles, and my doctors say you
have cured me by your supposed care
lessness.
Il am very glad indeed, Mr.. Flood,
| said Jack dizzily
Now, hustled the great Law yer.
Il understand you want to marry
| Daisy