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SETH'S SWEETHEART
75
Now it takes some courage to be hanged, and a darned sight more to do the hanging, especially at a private party of one hangman who happens also to be the hanged. So Seth thought as the cruel noose gripped his weather-stained neck.
But just as he summoned up his last spark of courage for the deathdealing yank, a blubbering cry arose from the mill-pond, followed by a heavv splash.
"Blub, blub-ub, blub-ub-ub !" Some one was trying to sing thru a lung full of water.
Seth left off his hanging-bee and ran down to the bank. The man in the pink shirt had clambered up on his overturned boat and was making frantic signals of distress.
"I say, you fellow with the rope around your neck, cant you get me out of this?"
Seth swung the free end of his rope far out, and the unfortunate rower grasped it. Hand over hand, he was slowly dragged ashore.
For a long while he lay on his back, gasping like a fish ; then he appeared to remember his manners and turned to his rescuer.
"I guess you saved my life, old chap. Thanks. Have a cigaret?"
' ' I aint ever smoked one yit, ' ' said Seth; "dum if I have."
"Dont do it," advised the city boarder, regaining his composure. "Say, who unhitched you, anyway."
Seth pulled the noose from over his ears, and the memory of his attempted sacrifice smote him.
"I cum mighty nigh not bein' around when ye hollered."
"Say not so, my hero," said the other, holding his weeping shirt out to the sun; "how comes that?"
And Seth, in his hour of confession and companionship, related the tragic state of his affections.
' ' Red blazer coat — tan canvas shoes — blond, curly locks ? ' ' catalogued the oarsman. "You remind me of some one in dear New York."
A half -hour afterward he drew the discarded lover swiftly down into the rank grass. They stood within ten paces of the enraptured three. Each of the new boarders sat with a fond arm around Sally's trim waist, and their proud glances were those of conquerors.
"It's the same pair of counterjumpers who beat my Aunt Mame out of a board bill ! Hist ! lie still ! ' '
Seth rolled moodily in the grass.
"Why dont you pitch in and lick them?" demanded the other, fiercely.
WHILE THE BATTLE IS RAGING, THE COMBATANTS ARE ATTACKED FROM THE REAR