North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-02-21
gelert gtury.
LOVE ON THE; ICE

|
thither, shading curl> and fax and brightest
ebony Silvery laughs rang out high
above the sharp click of skaters steel, and
soft ewes grew tenderly Iustrous bcicath
/ tn" fire oi others held all too dangerously
near
Remington Ashc looked on with admir-
alton in his dark bright ewes.
Suddenly little figure shot ont from the
shore, and sped dorm the lake like an ar
row. Now keeping close to the wooded
shore, then gliding like sunbeam through
the very midst of the skaters.
| The scarlet feather in her cap ffoated
back behind her, mingled with the black
bar, which escaping from her net, tnmbed
into masses OF glitteiing liDgleis on her
shoulders.
Ashe touched the arm of a gentleman
near him
"Who is she, Churchill 2
Verae Churctll'S dark check showed a
touch of crimson
| (which one
AS if there WAS more than one She
with the scarlet feather anJ velvet sacque
| The queen OF them all
| "Oh that's Asia Vance"
"Asia What Il name. How came she
by it,"
"a conceit of her fathers | have beeI
told"
''Humph An odd fancy Do you know
her?"
Yes" .----
Introduce me, please I cannot return
to Boston without hearing her voice. 1t
ought to be sweet II, silver bells TO accord
with her face and ignre."
Il see no opportunity. at present, to
CRAFTY your desire, said Churchill. rather
! coldly.
ave will seek the opportunity. Buckle
on your skates. We will ove,taEe her.
That is easier said than done. Miss
Vance is swift skater
AT least there is no harm in trying"
Ashe said and presently the two gentlcmcu
set forth in pursuit of her.
Both skated W, ll-Ashe little more
Spirily perhaps ; but Churchill his superi
/ or i'll endurance.
Asia saw them coming, and OWNED their
motive. Ii pleased her TO allow them 10
ovcrtake her.
Her brilliant eyes softencd slightly, as
they met the expression in ChurchllPs, and
a little conscious rose-rolor flushed her
cheek He touched lightly the dainty
hand in its soft-furred gauntlet.
This is Mr. Ashc, Of Boston, Miss
Vance
Sh acknowledged the introduction with
a gay courtesy. Ashe vas fully match
for her i'll small talk, and the acquaintan ce
progressed 'apidiy
The two :" lat IL strangers uhir ed off
together, ayug Churchill to return or TO
follow III, m at li>ure.
lie hu>itaied IA moment, and then joined
Maui EA.tiord,
Maud was unusually brilliant that Gay.
The keen air had colnred pale cheeks scar
le,.and her blue eyes flushed like sapphires
Maud and Asia were rival heaulies. Maud :
lad become loosened. She seated herself
on a fallen log, while Churchill arranged
them.
Just then Asia and Mr.. Ashe swept 10y
Churchill saw the bright flush on Asia :
face, and caught something OF the subtle
fascif, alton in Ashes dark grey eyes.
And he. who had loved with his Whole
souI Asia Vance for three years, had nCv-
er b en- abe to WIN from hyr smilr halt
so tender d. that which low wrcathcd her
face for tins stranger.
Churchii's thoughts were bitter Per-
| haps his counteuance expressed s"moth NJ
| of what was pas ing within. Maud beat
toward. him, 'onc curl of pertumed gold
toucbed his cheek. What a sweet voice
! she had.
"Wha. troubles you, Mr. Churchill 2"
For moment the man was tempted
He looked up into her beautiful face, So
near his own that he could lave touched
the scarlet lip with his Maud loved him
and Asia was a cold-heartcd coquette.
He took the hand Maud laid on his
shoulder, and half encncIed her WAIST
with his arm. but his native truth con
ouercd. Because one woma t1rted, he
wonld no, be ;l>e himself 30 he answer
ed Maud quietly:
Thank YOU. Nothing troubles me
Shall we join the company?'
And piqued and disappointed, Maud re-
luctantly a>sented. -,
Asia little coquette that size was, could
not be unmindul Of the attractions OF Mr.,
Ashe. His blonde face with its golden,
brown beard and hair, would have won the
heart of almost any young lady. ASIA
! liked the courteous Difference of his man
! ner. ard she WAS not averSe to reading the
admiration expressed in his eyes; besides.
the marked attention made the other bellies
spiteful towards her, and Asia liked that.
she did not care how hard the girls felt
against her; she knew her bright eye
would set all right with the other sex.
Ashe walked home with Asia, and OBJ
tanned permission to call
I lie went there frequently
His stay in Whitsstown was prolonged
! from three davs to a week and to fort