North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-02-21

to the lake. 1t was the first of April, but
tn ice had not yet broken up.
The old people said it was unsafe to ven
ture on it. but old folks ar prone to croak,
and the young people gave little heed to
them
There was quite a crowl on the ice, and
among them Asia Vance.
A ia had never been gayer She glided
up to the gentlemen mentioned, and chaI-
lenged them to a race.
Ashes eyes glittrred meaningly.
"What shall be the stakes we contend
for, Miss Vance,
"Whatever you please" she answered
quite sancilv.
Very well. Iarcept the condition.
1t shall be Yourself, if you please.
She bushed, but was too high spirited
to rptract
$50 be it. But you must catch me
fairly. claim that"
fright. We are both gentlemen, /
think" bowing to Churchill, who stood a
little apart.
".AAons." she said galy; but in spite of
her eye seldom seen there. She could
see that by the way they looked at each
other
What if A<he Won? and. again, what if
Churchill won? She dared not think lest
they should recede.
They started off fail Llv-all together.-
Asia went straight up the lake toward the
head waters. The gentlemen followed
her. None of the party as yet exertcd
themselves They glidcd on easily. saving
their strength for the final contest. Swift
cr and switter flew the slight figure Of the
Girl, the distance between her and her fol-
lowers materially heightened, aud now the
race began in earnest.
People called ont that it was dangerous
to 90 so near the mouth of the Rocky Riv-
er the principal tributary of Lake Aus
trce but they did not heed the warning.
They were too much exc ted to think of
peril.
Ga went Asia. the scarlet feather stream
ing out brhin'i her like war flag and her
silvery voice of defiance now and then
floating back to them.
The color and texture Of the ice was diff
fercnt here. 1t WAS dark, and they could
see the water gliding beneath. Still they
would not hesitate to follow where she
dared to lead them.
Asia swept around the last point of land
out into the broad">t part If the lake, OPP
p"str the mouth of.i;ocky River The
gentlemen followel. A>he was ahead,
Churchill was little heavier, and not so
agile.
Ashes handsome face cleaned and his
eyes sparkled as he sped on the ice bend
ay beneath his weight, and the water bub
ling through the air holes with a hoarse
sound.
He knew how insecure was his footing
he knew the risk he ran /; but Asia little
before him WAS beckouing him on.
He made The attempt t. advance but
the ice cracI;c! beneath his feet the wa
ter was ankle deep, and it was frightfally
cviien; that the lake was breaking up.
''Good God ~ he cried. "all is lost %
To 90 IN was death. He WAS not ready
to sacrifice himself for the desperate
chance of out skating Asia Vance
H. turned quickly, and like lightning
81 ded back to where the ice asyet intact.
Gathering his strength for an instant, he
made for thr shore
Churchil'> eagle eve took in the scene
at glance His breath came quick, and
his heart beat like bill"ws Of the sea- And
hi, great strength served him. Over the
yielding ice hs glidcd on gaining pcrccpti
hly on the scarlet father. A moment
more and he should he beside her
Suddenly h stopped, transfiXed with
horror; at last she realized the deadly peril
of her position
Churchill strained every nerve, never for
a second losing sight OF the graceful figure
standing so frjdgidy erect amid the roar
and tumult AL arourd.
Another in>tant-it seemed hours to him
and he had thrown his arms around her.
81 have won you, cried he hoarseIv.
She was white as death, and h"r stiff fin
gers chung to his arm with the grip of des-
pair.
80. Vernc, we are lost" she cried.
ave must trust to the water. See it is
growing deeper
Even as he spoke is feet were swept
from under him; the whole mass of ice
hcavcd and groaned F; and then the large
cakes driited unanimously around
Churchill was strong swimmer, and
oattled bravelv for the victory. Sometimes
it seemed as if he must 90 down; but his
will was like iron, and his strength was in
domitahle.
He fought his way through the massive
cakes of ice, torn anil b ceding, but never
despairing.
At last he caught the pliant branch of a
willow which swept far out over the water
and by its aid drew imself and his burden
to the shore.
Asia looked into his face with wide open
eyes, and glow of crimson stealing over
the ghas.ly whiteness of her oountenance.
.Have | won fairly. Asia ?".4'
.Yes Won have won," she said. avert.