The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1863-02-13

wished that the "fur and velvet" fairy
would slip down, that they might rush
forward and pick lier up again!
"Just tighten the strap Of my skate a
little" said Minnie, impeativeiy to Adolf
phus Sillingsby, Esquire, one OF her suite
Of masculine slaves, who Immediately
went down on his knees to obey the be-
hest, in state of rapturous bewilder-
mant, while all the other adorers turned
green with Jealousy.
Away skinned the trim figure, lighter
than a thistle down, swifter than bird,
the long Ecurls tlu.tering behind, while
close at her side CLEANED the ambitious
"half rockers of Adolphus Silingsby-I
a youth who deemed himself irresistible
alike on skates and in the lahcers!
Harold Martin stood close to the bank,
with moody brow and folded arms,
watching the flying pair. A stalwart
young giant, with dark blue eyes and
chestnut hair, there was certain sympc-
thy in his figure that carried the idea Of
great strength and resolution.
Alas! what booted these advantages, as
long as Minnie Dent turned up her pref
ty nose at him and skated with somebody
else?
ado see silingsby's airs" commcnc-
ed some one near by. "Strike out-why
don't you, Martin, and take down some Of
his nonsensep'
Martin shook his head,
"No--I can't" said he, dolorously.
"Can't? why not? l know of no one
more at home on skates than yourself"
"She likes Silingsby! Hang i'll wish
| had never seen her!" he groaned.
GLOW do you know? for | suppose you
are talking about Miss Dent"
"Knowl anybody with half an eye
might see it!"
away with you and cut out that con
ceited puppy" whispered his friend,
energetica!ly. "Faint heart never won
fair lady Off"
And Martin dashed off accordingly,
gliding swiftly up to Miss Dent, and
looking strait over the tufted top Of MIR.
Shngby's cap.
MAY l have the honor of accompany
ing yon round the poud just onue, Miss
Minnie? or shall we race?"
Minnie gave the ostrich plume dis
dainful shake, and answered briefly:
"No, Pm tred!"
Harold Martin fell back disconsolately.
0, ye stupid blind generation of lovers,
when will you learn to study woman's
eyes and not her words
lie fell back, as we have said, and con.
sequenlly had the satisfaction, moment
later, Of seeing Miss Dent skimming away
over the ice, attended by the faithful sat
elite Sillingsby, at rather a singular rate
of progress for "tired" young lady.
81 knew i'll" groaned Harold. al
wish | was--somewhere elsep'
lie suited the action OF the wish, and
giving his straight, 1.-the figure slight
forward swerve, shot away over the gilt.
tering pond, with the swift pface Of an
arrow speeding from the bow. Silings-
-by's haltrockers couldn't 60 over the
ground in that style. and 50 silinysby
looked persistently the other way.
On--on--on until the terraced banks
seemed to whirl past Minnie Dent--until
the sunset lost its crimson in her cheek,
and the diamond ice sparkled not so
brightly as her eyes--until the rush Of
the wind was less swift than she! 1t was
to be a bird, cleaving the blue depths OF
air--a winged spirit, bidding time and
space defiance! and Minnie's heart throb-
bing in unison with the ringing strokes
of the steel, while the tides of blood
rocked to and fro in her veins, with the
rock of those silverfying skates. She
did not hear the warning cry--she did
not heed the creaking of the treacherous
surface, or the ominous placard--"Dan
ger;" and all at once
"Pick her out, you fellow with the
coon's tail on your capP' bawled stur
dy veteran in the crowd. "Skate close
up to the edge! what are you thinking
about?"
But Adolphus hesitsted.
"I-Im afraid the ice is cracking all
round, and"
Even as he spoke the surface beneath
him parted with wrenching noise, un
der the unwonted pressure Of a crowd
Adolphus stayed for no more excuse, but
nimbly propelled himself out of harms
way. At the same instant he felt him
self lifted by the collar of the coat, and
set on one side by the sheer force Of
muscle.
"out of the way--poltroon!" muttered
, deep voice, and Harold Martin swept I
past him, swifter than the wind. What
Jared he for the yawning riffs, beneath
which rolled the turbid water? What rec
ied he Of the awe!struck faces, and shout {
I'd admonitions? Drownedl Well, what ,
hen-was it not to save Minnie? Il
One instant he stood face to face with