Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-04-03

/ II nave neen proposing 10 MISS
Jeanette. said John, advancing to-
ward the group, "that we have race
across the pond TO the opposite end,
where the bows have made bonfire.
The distance around the sides is about
the same. What do you say:"
The proposal being received enthu-
siastically, .Jonn followed up the vic.
tory with bold strobe:
MIR. Stewart, will YOU head the op-
posite party
The minister looked up in surprise
at tins nomination, and inquired, with
hardly pcrceptiblc smile,
do we select our followers:
why, no. There's no fairness about
that. Let every one choose his own
side, say |.
Amidst the confusion that followed,
the minister came over to where Jean
nette was cutting little curves in the
ice with her skates.
Are you going to desert me-" be
asked.
And Jeannettc stammered.
ii don't know. guess I've
been drafted for this company.
The two lines were formed the word
was given, and the noisy companies
started on their career. John Palmer
was grand skater. He sped away in
course strong, steady, and swift as
au arrow, at the head of his faction.
Ieannette's quick, light strokes could
hardly have kept her at his side with
out the aid of his supporting arm.
We must outskatc them" he said,
land wait behind the bend till they
pass 50 they wasted little breath
in conversation for the first halt mile,
until they left the last dark figure well
behind, and wheeling around sharp
corner, gllded into the deep shadows
of the naples.
Hist" sand John, laughing; hear
them coming, straining every nerve to
catch US Let Mr.. Stewart win the
race if he wants 10. He may win any
thing he likes-ii he doe,n win you :"
he added, tendcrly.
Jeanette shook her curls down to
hide 4 smile, and said. What non
sense :. As they skated slowly out 10
the centre Of the pond.
Il wish it was nonsense, The whole
village rings with II. They talk OF
nothing bat you and that abominablc
minister
lie isn't abomnablc at all. I'm
sure they like him very much at home
And YOU too. haven't i doubt
you'r very fond Of him T. was the IN
dignant rejonder. III he don't look
out Ill teach hun his place viii, up
ON my word
Il wouldn't take the trouble" Jean
netie said, merrliy. 1t isn't worth
while.
Worth while: If you care for him
its worth while. declare i"
Tie little sioyc,l hand Oh his arm
was Withdrawn, and an Indignant voice
said. You bHo,r don't care for him,
John I" Then, Jeanette shated off
With renewed velocity. having thus
tempted on the event.
Il wish knew something else" he
sand, rcgalnlng his place at her side
and suddenly arrcstIng her progress.
"Jeannette, You know love you-tell
me whether you care for me: | mean
enou1h-to-marry me.
Jeanette, breathlcss with excite,
mcnI and eNertion, struggled in vain
to free herself, and said, petulantly.
Don't John Don't bother me r
Bother you: Does it bother YOU TO
have Inc say | love you, Come, tell me,
Jeanncttc-vcs, or no.
Jeannctte, in desperation, spoke the
literal truth:
ii don't know. Let me 90, John
there's some one over there -
BY Heaven, its the opposite party
>tcwarts among them. Iuls way.
quick y
Forest Pond was long and very mar
row. The two had incontlnentiy skat-
cd almost straight across it, and had
thus come III contact with the racers
on the other side, who, although CON
sldelaOiy ahead. recognized them in
the bright moonlight, and with mis-
cherous "vlcw halloa,' joined III
common pursuit. John and Jeanette,
wheeling hastily, skated back toward
their startlng-point.
Never mind,' said John, glancin.
over Ills shoulder, aud seeing that they
were losing II the close race well
make some excuse or other.
III 4,
the Ice. the lights. danced before Jean
nettc's eyes. There was Il cry of
warning, then darkness, and the two
who had been skimming over the ice
vanished from sight.
When Jeanette began to recover
consciousness she found herself in
somebody's arm, and heard indistinctly
some one calling her his darling, his
little Jeanette. Approaching nearer
the material world, she became aware
OF sky. ice, fire, and Mr.. Stewart bend
ing over her ana chafing her hands
and remembering the darkness and
chill, Jeannette, scarcely knowing what
what she did, shuddered and nestled
| SiooCi III Vic Clat ucll
"My own darling! My poor little
bird. Can't you speak to me!"
Jeanette was perfectly willing to
stay silent and let him caress her. Too
mucn confused IN mind to remember
that John, too, had skated into the
pond. she thought, with a queer sensa-
ton of wonder, that she was glad now
she had not accepted John, because
she would have had to refuse Mr.. Stew
art, and she did not want to do that.
The noise of approaching voices
startled her presently, and she sat up
right with a sudden effort, while the
minister exclaimed, joyfully, "You are
better!'
All, Jeanette Who can tell what
impulse of contrariness made her lift
pair of astonished eyes to the minis