The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-10-22
CHAPTER II-Continued

Margery neSlIaleu. AW, come on
urged Kent. Don't be such 'fraid
cat. That's why us kids don't like
you, you're such silly, dressed-up
doll"
The bankers daughter flushed.
Though she loved the pretty clothes
and though the sense of superiority
10 other children, carefully cultivated
by her mother, was the very breath
of her nostrils, she had never been
quite so happy as this afternoon when
grubbing on an equality with these
three inferior children.
I'm not afraid at all and I'm just
as dirty as Lydia is. Go ahead with
your boat"
They tethered Patience with Kent's
cord to one of the willow trees and
Margery was padded out several
boat lengths from the shore and the
great stone that served for anchor
was dropped over. Kent took a clean
dive overheard, swan ashore and dis
appeared along the willow path. Lit
tie Patience set up a wall.
Baby tum too, Baby tum, too" she
wept.
"Ill go stay with her till Kent
comes" said Lydia, diving into the
water as casually as if she were ris-
ing from a chair.
Il won't stay in this awful boat
alone' shrieked Margery.
Lydia swan steadily to the shore,
then turned. Margery was standing
up in the boat.
"Sit down! Sit DOWN." cried Ly-
dia.
Margery, beside herself with fear,
tossed her arms, 81 won't stay in this
old"
There was great splash and a
choking cry as Margery's black braid
disappeared beneath the water
"And she can't SWIM" gasped Lydia.
''Kent!" she screamed, and made a
flying leap into the water. Her slen-
der, childish arms seemed suddenly
steel. Her thin little legs took a
racing stroke like tiny propellers.
Margery came up on the far side of
the boat and uttered another chok-
ing cry before she went down again.
Lydia dived, caught the long black
braid and brought the frenzied little
face to the surface. Margery imme-
diately threw an arm around Lydia s
neck, and Lydia hit her in the face
with a clenched small fist and all the
strength she could muster.
LET go, or I'll let you drown. Turn
over on your back. There isn't thing
to be afraid Of"
Margery, with a sob, obeyed and
Lydia towed her the short distance
to the boat. There, catch hold she
said.
vale, Margery choking and sobbing.
II can't lift you into the boat"
painted Lydia. But quit your crying
You're SAFE There's Kent"
Kent had heard the call and some
note of need in 1t registered, after a
moment, in his mind. He ran back
and leaped into the water.
He clambered into the boat and
reaching over pulled Margery bodily
over the gunwale The child, sick and
hysterical, huddled into the bottom of
the boat.
Are you all right, LydY he asked.
sure" replied Lydia, who was be-
ginning to recover her breath.
1t was the work of a minute to
ground the boat. Then unheeding lit
tie Patience's lamentations, the two
children looked at each other and at
Margery.
an run for her mother" said
Kent.
and scare her to death! She isn't
hurt Bit" insisted Lydia. MAR
gerry, stop crying. You're all right, i
tell you.''
"I'll tell you," said Kent, 1et's put
her In Patiences carriage, and carry
her home. The water she swallowed
makes her awful sick at her stomach,
/ guess"
The fright over, the old spirit of
adventure, with an added sense of
heroism, animated Kent and Lydia.
Margery was leased out of the boat
and assisted into the perambulator,
with her dripping white legs dam
Cling helplessly over the end. Little
Patiences tears were assuaged when
she was placed in the doll buggy, with
Margery's doll in her arms. Florence
Dombey was tied papoose fashion to
bydia's back. The bicycle was hidden
in the cave and with Kent wheeling
Margery and Lydia. Patience, the pro-
cession started wildly for home.
By the time they had turned into
the home street. Margery was begin
ming to recover, but she was still shiv-