"I couldn't help it. It was your fault, anyway, Why didn't you hold steady," replied Gene. "You big lubber; youse done it on purpose." said Spike, rubbing his shin. "I'm not going to play any more," and as he turned away, muttered to himself: "I've a notion to soak him one." "Oh, look!" cried Gene. "A woman's agoing in swimming with her clothes on!" The boys at once forgot their differences, drew close together and watched her with much curiosity. "Say, but the water is cold. I was in yesterday and couldn't stay a minute," said Gene. "Gee, but I got my clothes on quick! I was near froze." "She's skeart already; see how she's looking about--must-a lost somethin'." "Let's ask her," said Gene. "Youse shut up, won't you." "She's saying something. Hear?" "Sounds like 'Dorothy,'" said Spike. "Look at her dig them hands in the water." "Say, she's crazy, sure!" whispered Gene. At which they drew back awe-struck, yet fascinated by the grotesque buffoonery inseparable from the insane. "Somebody'd better go and phone the cops," whispered Spike, excitedly. "She'll get drowned, and then we'll get in a bar'l of trubble." "I'll go," said Gene, half frightened, and glad of an excuse to get away from the uncanny spectacle. "Who's got a phone near here?" he asked. "Up at the big house, yonder. Harris'. They's got one, but youse don't want to leave me here alone with that crazy woman. She's coming ashore. Kin youse hear what she's saying?" They listened intently. "I'm sure I saw her," she said in tones strangely pitiful. "Her golden hair floated on the surface like a silken mesh--then sank down, down--ah, there it is again." And she outstretched her hand and tried to grasp something. "Gone again! Oh! I wish someone would help me get her. I am so tired and the river is so deep and cold," and as she stepped out from the water onto the shingle, her frame shivered as with a chill. She sat on the stump of driftwood, fatigued by exertion. "Let's go and talk to her," whispered Gene. "Youse better not. Youse can't tell what them crazy people will do sometimes. They ack queer mighty sudden." "Say! She wouldn't hurt anything. Ain't she nice looking! I'll bet she was kind when she was all right," said Gene. "Talks of golden hair. Must be her baby drowned has made her crazy," said Spike. "I'm going to speak to her, anyway," and so saying, Gene boldly approached her. "Say, lady! What are you looking for?" he asked, as he timidly stood in front of her. "Dorothy," she softly answered, and then slowly shifted her wistful eyes from the water to the boys. "Whose Dorothy?" asked Spike, with an air of quiet respect, as he joined Gene and stood in front of her. "The sweetest babe in all the world. See, in this--her likeness," and she drew from the bosom of her dress a medallion and held it for the boys to look at. "Sure! She's a beaut!" exclaimed Spike, admiringly.