Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1867-04-04

er sex.
Ashe walked home with Asia, ant
obtained permission to call.
He went there frequently.
His stay in Whitestewn was pro
longed from three days to week
and to a.fortnlght. His busines
had taken more time than he thought
he said, by way Of excuse. But h
could stay no longer. His partne
was becoming impatient athis delay
and had peremptorily recalled him
The last day of his stay he wen
down to the lake. 1t was the first o
April, but the ice had net yet broker
up.
The old people said 1t was unsaf'
to venture On it, but the old folks art
prone 20 creak, and the young peo
pie gave little heed to them.
There was quite a crowd on the
ice and among them was Asis
Vance.
Asia had never been gayer. She
glided up to the gentlemen men
toned, and challenged them to q
race.
Ashes eye glittered meaningly.
"What shall be the stakes we con-
tend for, Miss Vance2"
"Whatever you please" she an
swered, quite saucily.
''Very well. 1 accept the condi-
ton. 1t shall be yourself, if you
please"
She blushed, but was too high
spirited to retract:
$50 be it. Butyeu must catch me
fairly. 1 claim that"
Fright. We are both gentlemen,
/ think" bowing to Churchill, who
stood little apart.
"Altons," she said, gaily, but in
spite of her light tone, there was a
sober fright in her eye seldom seen
there. She could see by the way
they looked at each other.
What if Ashe won, and again,
what if Churchill won? She dared
not think lest they should recede.
They started off fairly-all togeth-
er Asia went straight up the lake
towards the head-waters. The gen
tlemen followed her.
None of the party, as yet. exerted
themselves. They glided on easily,
saving their strength for the final
contest. Swifter and swifter flew the
slight figure Of the girl, the distance
between her and her followers mate
rally heightened, and now the race
began in earnest.
People called out that it was dan
gerous to 60 so near the mouth Of
the Rocky River, the principal trib-
utary Of Lake Austrice, but they did
not heed the warning. They were
too much excited to think of peril.
On went Asia, the scarlet feather
streaming out behind her like a war
flag; and her silvery voice of def
ance new and then floating back to
them.
The color and texture of the ice
was different here. 1t was dark, and
they could see the water gliding be-
meath. Still they would not hesitate
to follew where she dared to lead
them.
Ashes handsome face cleaned,
and his eye sparkled as he sped on,
the ice bending beneath his weight,
and the air bumbling through the air
holes, with hearse sound.
He knew how insecure was his
footing; he knew the risk he ran; but
Asia, a little before him, was beck
oning him on.
He made the attempt to advance,
but the ice creaked beneath his feet,
the water was ankle deep, and it was
evident that the lake was
breaking up.
"Good God" he cried; "all of us
are lostp'
To 60 on was death. He was not
ready to sacrifice himself for the
chance of out-skating Asia
Vance.
He turned quickly, and like light
ming glided back to where the ice
was yet intact Gathering his
strength for an instant, he made for
the shore.
Churchilps eagle eye took in the
scene at glance. His breath came
quick, and his heart beat like billews
Of the sea. And his great strength
served him. Over the yielding ice
he glided on, gaining perceptibly on
the scarlet feather. A moment more,
and he should be beside her.
Suddenly she stopped, transfxed
with horror; at last she realized the
deadly peril of her position.
Churchill strained every nerve,
never fer a second, losing sight of
the graceful figure, standing SO
erect amid the roar and tu-
multi all around.
Another instant-it seemed hours
TO him-and he had thrown his arm
around her.
81 have won you," cried he,
1oarsely.
She was white as death, and her
stiff fingers clung to his arm with
The grip Of despair.
"Oh, Verne, we are lost" she
cried.
.We must trust to the water
See, it is growing deeper"
Even as be spoke, his feet were
swept from under him, the whole
mass Of ice heaved and groaned,
and then the large cakes drifted tu-
multuously around.
Churchill was strong swimmer,
and battled brayely for the victory.
it seemed IS if be must go
down, but his will wss Like iron. and
bis strength indsmitable. !