Maryland free press., 1867-01-10
LOVE ON THE ICE.

Lake Anstriee, the skating pond of Whites
town, was perfect flower garden; scarlet and
purple and amber and divine shades of azure
-lirting about hithcr and thither, shading curls
of flax and brightest ebony. Slvery.laughs rang
out high above the sharp click of skaters steel,
and soft eyes grew tenderly lustrous beneath the
fire Of others held all too dangerously near.
Ashe touched the arm of q gentleman neal
him. ...
"Who is she Churchhill?' '....
Verne Churchls dark check showed touch
of crimson.
(which oue?'
a'As il there was more than one! She with the
scarlet feather and and velvet sacque. The queen
of them ALL"
"Oh; that's Asia Vance"
"Asia! What a name! How came she by
it,
IA conceit of her father s, ] have been told"
'iHumph! an odd f,ncyl Do you know hcr?''
tYe,."
s'Introduce me-, please; cannot return to
Boston without hearing her voice. II ought to
he sweet rs silver bells to accordwith her fare and
figure"
q 'Iscc no opportunity, at present, to CRAFTY
your desire" snil Churchill, rather co!diy.
"Wc will seek the opportunity. Buckle on
your skates. We will overtake her"
''Thtt is easier said than done. Miss Vance i:
swift skater"
- "At least there ,s no harm in irving Asht
said, and presently the two gentlemen set forth
in pursuit of her;
Both skated well--.tshc little more spright
ly perhaps; but Churchill his sunerior in endu-
rance.
Asia saw them coming, and OWNED their mo-
tive 1t p'cased her TO allow them TO overtak
her.
Her brilliant eyes softened slightly, as they
met the expression in Churchill's, and littl,
conscious rosc-coor flushed her cheek. lie
touched lightly the dainty hand in its son-fur.
red gauntlet.
hThis is Mr.. Ashe, Of Boston, Miss Vance,"
She cknowledged the introduction with gay
courtesy Ashe was fully a match for her in
small: talk, AMI the acquaintance progressed rap
idly.
The two SO lately strangers whirled off to
gether, leaving Churchill to return or to follow
them at leisure.
lie hestatei a moment, and then joined Maud
Eastford.
Maud was unusually brilliant that day. Th
keen air had colored her pale checks scarlet ant
her blue cyes;hashed like sapphires. Maud ant
Asia were rival beauties. Maud's skates had be
come unloosened. She seated herself on n falei
log while Churchill arranged them.
Just then Asia and Mfr. Ashe swept by
Churchill saw the brgiht flush on Asia's face, ant
caught something fthe subtle fascination il
Ashes dark grey eyes.
And he, who had loved with his whole sou
Asia Vance for three years. had never been able
TO win from her smile half so tender as tina
which now wreathed her face for this stranger.
Churchills thoughts were bitter. Perhaps hi
coantenance expressed something of what wa
passing within. Maud bent towards him, one
curl of perfumed gold touched his check What
sweet voice she had. '..... G...
z "What troubles yoH, Mr.. Churchill?'
For moment the man was tempted. lie look
ed up into her beautiful face, so near his ewr
that he conld have touched the scarlet lip with
his. Maud loved him, and Asia was cold-heartet
eoquette. .- '. '
He took the hand Maud laid on his shoulder
and half encircled her waist with his arm, bu
his native truth conquered. Becauseioue woman
fiirted, he would not be false himself. So he an
swered Maud quietly.
'Thank you. Nothing troubles me. Shal
we join the company2' ,-
Aud piqued and disappointed, Maud reluc
family assented
ASIA little coquette that she was, could not b.
unmindful of the attractions of Mr.. Ashe. Fiji
blonde face with its golden, brown beard ant
hair, would have won the heart of almost any
young lady. Asia liked the courteous deferenc,
OF his manner, and she was not averse to reading
the admiration expressed in his eyes; besides, tn.
marked attention made the other bellies spitefu
towards her, and Asia liked that. She did no
care how hard the girls felt against her, she knew
her bright eyes would set all right with the othel
sex. ...' ...
Ashe walked home with Asia, and obtained
permission to call. .r .-.f
He went there freqnently.
His stay in hitestown was prolonged frsn
three days to week, and then Ito
fortnight. His business had taken more tim,
than he thought, he said, by way of excuse
But he could stay no longer. His partner was
becoming impatient at his delay, and had per.
enptorily recalled him. -.a
The last day, of his stay he went down to the
lake. It was the first of April, but the ice had
not yet broken up.
The old people said II was unsafe to venture on