Maryland free press., 1867-01-10
VOLUME I.

it, but old folks are prone to croak, and The
young people gave little heed to them.
There was quite crowd on the ice, aud among
them Asia Vance.
Asia had never been gayer. She glided up to
the gentlemen mentioned, aAd challenged them
10 a race a.... .......
Ashes eyes glittered meaningly t
"What shall be the stakes we contend for, Miss
Vance2''
Whatever you please" she answered saucily.
every well. Iaccept the condition.: 1t shall
be yourself if you please"
She blushed, but was too high spirited to re-
tract.
$50 be it. But you must catch me fairly. I
claim that
Fright. We are both gentlemen, think, :"
bowiag to Churchill, who stood little apart.
"AHons," she said gaiy but in spite of her
light tone, there was sober fright in her eye
seldom seen there. She could see that by the
way they looked at each other.
What if Ashe won2 and, again, what il
Churchill won? She dared not think lest they
s"ould recede.
They started off fsirly-ali together. Asia
went straight up the lake toward the head
waters. The gentlemen followed her. None of
the party as yet exerted themselves. They glid-
ed on easily, saving tfeir strength for the final
contest. Swifter and swifter flew the slight
figure of the girl, the distance between her and
her followers materially heightened, and now
the race began in earnest.
panpJa co1IaJ ont hot 10 x,o. 4 ,,,oo,or, a.. -.
near the mouth of the Rocky River, the principa,
tributary 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 like war flag and her silvery voice
of defiance now 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 beneath. Still they would not
hesitate to follow where she dared to lead them.
Ashes handsome face CLEANED and his eyes
sparkled as he spedson the ice bending beneath
his weight, ard the water bubbling through the
air holes with hoarse sound.
lie knew hbw Insecure was his footing, he
knew the risk he RAM but Asia little before
him was beckoning him on.
lie made the attempt to advance; but the ice
cracked beneath his feet the water was ankle
deep and it was frghtfully evident that the lake
was breaking up.
''Good God - he cried, Gall is lost ~
To 20 on was death. lie was not ready to
s,"rifce himself for the desperate chance of out
SIX t ng Asia Vance.
lie turned quickly, and like lightning glided
back 10 where the ice was yet intact. Gather
ing his strength for an instant, he made for the
shore.
Churchilrs eagle eye took in the scene at a
glance. His breath came quick, and his heart
heat like pillows Of the sea. And his great
strength served him. Over the yielding ice he
glided on, gaining percepthy on the scarlet
feather. A moment more and he should be be.
side her.
Suddenly she stopped, transfixed with horror;
at last she realized the deadly peril of her posi-
ton.
Churchill strained every nerve never for q
second losing sight of the graceful figure stand
ing so frigidly erect amid the roar and tumut
all around
Another instant--it seemed hours to him
aud he had thrown his arm around her.
~ have won you," cried he hoarsely.
She was white MS death, and her stiff fingers
clung to his arm with the grip of despair.
80, Verne, we are lost" she cried.
awe must trust to the water. See it is grow.
ing deeper"
Even as he spoke his feet were swept from un.
der him; the whole mass of ice heaved and
gro,.ned and then the large cakes drifted tu.
multGously around.
Churchill was strong swimmer, and batted
bravely for the victory. Sometimes it seemed
as if he must go down; but his will was Ike iron,
and his strength indomitable.
lie fought his way through the massive cakes
of ice, torn and bleeding, but never despairing
At last he caught the plant branch or q
willow which swept far 'sut over the water
and by its aid drew himself and his burden te
the shore.
Asia looked into his face with wide open eyes
and glow of crimson stealing over the ghustly
whitcncss Other conntenance.
"Have won fairly, Asia ~
yes; you nave won, she said, averting hel
eyes.
81 do not hold you to It unless you will it.
Are you mine freely ~
"And what then ?'' she asked softly.
"Asia l' their eyes met.
She aung her arms around his eek, and put
her face up to bis.
~ give myself to you, oh, so free Verne
did you not know that have loved you sc
always?"
Mr.. Ashe returned to Boston next day, with.
out calling to bid Asia goodbye.
She did not think of the omission until Mr.
Churchill asked her opinion of Boston breeding
She answered him sauciy
'I am quite satisfied with Whitestown man.
uers sir "
CURIous.-The following extraordinary ac-
count of determined attempt at suicide il