New Britain herald., 1927-05-03

until last evening, but you see, he'i the kind of man you feel ac. quainted with at once. My friend Mrs. Valdon, introduced him to me and I took to him that very min. ute. A delightful man-oh, what . pity he is gone!"
 Then, if you never knew Mir Folsom until last evening. you can't tell me much about him. Dixon said, little curtly. Mrs Valdon, you have known him for a longer time?"
 "Yes," Carmelita Valdon replied her great dark eyes filling with tears. T have known MT. Folsom for several years. He was my law yer and my friend as well. was rejoiced when I heard he was down here. and we planned many things to do by way of entertainment. ] knew Mrs. Barnaby would like him, and I was not surprised when ] found the liking mutual"
 And you three," Dixon took in the trio, with Mir. Folsom were the whole of your party to go in bathing this morning?"
 "Yes," Mrs. Barnaby said, un- able to keep out of the conversa- tion. And I was so glad I had my new bathing suit: 1t just came yesterday. And Mrs. Valdon, too we were the best-dressed crowd on the beach. Oh, can't believe he is gone!"
 "Who stood next to Mir. Folsom at the roper" Dixon asked, ignor- ing the talkative one, you. Mrs. Valdon?"
 "Yes," Carmelita began, but Mrs. Barnaby interrupted.
 T was next but one," she said. T mean I was next to Carmelita and she was next to MT. Folsom. But I can tell you what happened, for I was looking right at him."
 Clearly. Dixon thought. 1t was best to let her tell it, as she was far more willing to talk than the others.
 "Why, we were all standing there, taking the waves" she said, land laughing. and just after a big breaker passed. MT. Folsom sort of loosened his grip on the rope and then his hands fell away from the rope and he just sank down under the water. That's all. Then everybody seemed to scream and another wave came and then I saw the life guards come and get hold of MT. Folsom and carry him out of the water up onto the beach. That's all."
 You were next Mir. Folsom, l believe, Mrs. Valdon." Dixon said, turning to Carmelita. you saw the scene Mrs. Barnaby has just de- scribed?"
 "Why, yes," was the reply. that is, I suppose it must have been that way. But was not looking at him at all. I had all I could do to keep my feet. The surf was very high and the waves pounded 50 I paid no attention to any one else. ] just clung to the rope to keep from being knocked down myself. If MT. Folsom had even a slight cramp it is not surprising he was drawn under by the waves"
 You were off the rope, MT. Neville?" and Dixon turned to him.
 "Yes, I hate to be hanging to a rope. I take the big waves head on, and if they fling me up on the beach, that is the sort of sport I enjoy. Folsom liked it. too. but he felt he must stay with the ladies. He broke away once or twide and then went back"
 "Yes. but he was glad to get back" Mrs. Barnaby told them. "He wasn't much used to surf bathing, and he seemed to get winded easily"
 You noticed that too, Mrs. Valdon?" pursued the questioner.
 Not specially" she said. But as I told you, was busy looking out for myself. l think l was never so buffeted by the waves as we were this morning. They were ferocious."
 "Who stood 'on the other side of Mir. Folsom" Dixon inquired. and as Neville and Mrs. Barnaby shook their heads, he turned to Mrs. Naldon for a reply.
 Tt was MT. Barron" she said. Y know because MT. Folsom asked me who he was and I leaned over to see. That was just before we de- cided to come out of the water. We couldn't find Mir. Neville, so we said we'd go out anyway. Then a big wave came. and it was right after that that Mir. Folsom went under"