Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1867-04-04
LOVE ON THE ICE

pond of Whitestown, was perfect
flower garden, scarlet, amber, and di-
vinest shades of azure fitting about
hither and thither, shading curls OF
fax and brightest ebony. Silver
laughs rang out high above the sharp
click of the skaters steel, and soft
eyes grew tenderly lustrous beneath
the fire of others held all too dam
gerously near.
Remington Ashe looked on with
admiration in his dark eyes.
Suddenly light figure shot out
from the shore. and sped down the
lake like an arrow-new keeping
close to the wooded shore, then glid-
ing like sunbeam through the very
midst of the skaters. The scarlet
feather in her cap feated back be-
hind her, mingled with the black
hair, which, escaping from her net,
tumbled into masses of glittering
ringlets on her shoulders.
Ashe touched the arm of gentle
man standing near him.
sWhe is she, Chur chill ?"
Verne Churchilrs dark cheek
showed touch of crimson.
(Which one?"
Gas if there was more than one!-
"She with the scarlet feather aad
velvet saque. The queen of them
al.spp
"Oh! that's Asia Vance"
"Asia? what name! How came
she by lt?"
cit was a conceit of her fathers,
1 have been told"
"Humph! An odd fancy! Do you
know herr"
"Yes"
"Introduce me, please, 1 cannot
return to Boston without hearing her
voice. 1t ought to be as sweet as
silver bells to accord with her face
and figure"
81 see no opportunity at present to
crafty your DESIRE" said Churchill,
rather coldly.
"We will seek an opportunity
Buckle on your skates; we will over
take her."
"That is easier said than done,
Miss Vance is a swift skater"
cat least there is no harm in try
ing" he said; and presently the two
gentlemen started off in pursuit of
her.
Beth skated well--Ashe a little
more sprightIy, perhaps, but Church
i'll his superior in endurance.
Asia saw them coming, and defined
their motive. 1t pleased her to al
low them to overtake her.
Her brilliant eyes softened slight
ly as they met the expression in
ChurchilPs, and little conscious
rose color flushed her cheek. He
touched lightly the dainty hand in
its seft furred gauntlet.
"This is Mr.. Ashe, Of Boston, Miss
Vance"
She acknowledged the introduc-
tion with. gay courtesy. Ashe was
fully match for her in small talk,
and the acquaintance progressed rap
idly.
The two late strangers whirled of
together, leaving Churchill to return,
CT follow them at leisure.
He hesltated moment, then joined
Maud Eastford.
Maud was unusually brilliant that
day. The keen air had colored her
cheeks scarlet, and her blue eyes
flashed like sapphires Maud and Asia
were rival beauties. Maud's skates
had become loosened, she seated
herself on fallen log while Church
ill arranged them.
Just then Asia and Mr.. Ashe swept
by, Churchill saw the bright flush on
Asia's cheek, and caught something |
of the subtle fascination in Ashes
dark gray eyes
And he, who had loved Asia Vance
with his whole soul for three years,
had never been able to win from her
a smile half so tender as that which
now wreathed her face for this
stranger.
Churchilrs thoughts were bitter
Perhaps his countenance expressed
something tina. was passing within.
Maud bent towards him, one curl OF
perfumed gold touched his cheek;
what sweet veice she had.
'What troubles you Mr.. Church.
ill?,
Fer a moment the man was tempt
ed. He looked up into her beautiful
face, SO near his own that he could
have touched the scarlet lips with
his. Maud loved him, and Asia was
q cold hearted coquette.
He took the hand Maud laid on his
shoulder, and half encircling her
waist with his arm; but his native
truth conquered. Because enc We
man firted, he would net be false
himself. Sc he answered Maud quiet
ly,-