"FOR WHAT ? "

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1937, Page 4 (Supplement)

"FOR WHAT ? "

By BETTY BRYANT.

Flinging aside his coat, lie <1:1*1)0(1 bravely into tlie stream, defying the unknown dangers that lay in wait for him. He had promised Sadie to bring back the bunch of wild flowers that were blooming so profusely on the little island. So profusely, indeed, were they blooming that Sadie had thought of nothing else since she first lighted them, nodding their lazy heads defiantly at her, as if to say, "Kdtch me if you can, fetch nie if you can." "I will do it," lie had cried foolishly. "I will bring them back to yon, Sadie."' And it was all for the sake iff a smile from those lovely lips. So he lia<l dived in, full of hope and eagerness. But after making one motion towards the island, however, he was caught by a snag. Sadie eyed him anxiously, but breathed freely again, when, after a little manoeuvring, he managed to clear the persistent snag out of his way, and continued, undaunted, oil. his course. He neared his goal. He had reached it— all but. For even as his eager fingers reached out to clutch something 6olid to help him, he was caught by the current and swirled back to the centre again, where the drift was very strong. He fought his way between two snags, and, battling furiously, really landed, exhausted but happy, on the island. Having obtained tit? flowers, he turned to dive back into the stream, but stood there with dismay in his eyes. Sadie and the opposite side seemed so far away! lie called nervously on his reserve courage, and taking a deep breath, took the plunge. A small whirlpool sucked at him and swept him round and round, tip and down, in and out, until he wa4 dizzy. Kxerting all his strength, he heaved hard against the current, again and again. And, lo! at the last heave he had broken through, and was able to continue his battle. Slowly, but surely, he drew nearer his goal, the flowers held tightly in one hand. Anxiety was written in large letters over his honest features, and his forehead was covered with beads of perspiration. Slowly, slowly, he came nearer, while the girl on the pathway was reproaching herself for letting him mil such a risk. Nearly there —ju.-t a little more. Ah! And with a little sigh of relief, she helped him out of the stream and into his coat. Triumphantly he held the flowers out to her, saying, scornfully. "She did me out of a tanner. After me pushing right past that stream of people over to the safety zone, she liad to do me out of a tanner for those things." Saying which, lie took Sadie's arm. and they strolled nonchalantly into the crowd of people, from the midst of wliidi he had just emerged so victoriously.