The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-02-02

There were many equestriaus too Of
both sexes, whose constant and rapid
movements gave life to the panorama.
Bitterly cold as was the air, it caused
bright eyes to sparkle, and fair cheek:
TO flush, whilst oft repeated peaIs Of
silvery laughter as some contretemp.
happened to unskilful or unlucky ska
tiers, showed that here, at least, were
the light hearts and buoyant spirits SC
characteristic of our happy natnred
girls.
Lila, to Franks intense disgust, and
indignation, was carrying Oh a very de
cided Irritation with Lieutenant Ire
gennis. She did not care one single
straw for the young officer, but she
was piqued and angry with Frank, and
moreover jealous of his marked at,en
tions to the three young ladies he was
escorting, and she wished to show him
that she had no intention of wearing
the willow" and that there were as
good fish In the sea as ever came out
of it,"
So she laughed aud chatted with bel
military cavalier, and to all appearan.
ces made herself perfectly happy. In
the course of their badinage it had
oozed out that the lieutenant had real.
ly sent the valentine in the unknown
hand, and as it would appear with
something more than a temporary
meaning.
Leap year too" though Lila, as
her admirers attentions grew more
and more marked. Glow awkward
for me-"
Now. Miss MarchantI" cried the
lieutenant. gaily-he had been on the
point of saying Lilla-'I challenge you
to race to the other end of the pond. :"
Lila laughibgly accepted the chal
lenge.
"Once, twice, thrice and away"
cried young Tregennis, and away shot
the two figures. Take care of that
airhole!" suddenly exclaimed the off
Ger, as one was seen just ahead.
But the caution came too late.
Lilla's slight form, little in advance
other companion was going at a greater
velocity than his heavier one could do,
and she was unable to stop herself.
Crash, crash, frightened scream,
a sharp crack, and the unfortunate
girl momenterily disappeared beneath
the ice.
Aghast at the suddenness of the ac-
cident, Tregennis stood gasping and
staring at the hole wherein Lila had
quite unequal to the EN-
and unable to offer any as
sistance beyond calling aloud for that
help which he might himself have ten
dered. But many other gentlemen
Frank at their .head-who had been
watching the race, of course witnessed
the catastrophe, and skated towards
the spot with all possible speed. To
throw off bis overcoat and jump into
the water-for the ice was now suffi
GENTLY broken all around to allow of
twenty persons pluuging in if neces-
with Frank the work of a
moment
rhe water in this part of the pond
was at least ten feet deep. and Lila
was therefore i'm extreme peril, the in
tens. coldness of the weather being
Likely TO induce immediate numbness
and inseEs;biIity. Fortunately, how
ever, Frank was almost as much at
home in the water as Captain Webb
and seizing Lila by her long and beau
full hair-Which she wore loose accord
ing to the present fashion-just as she
was about to disappear he drew her on
the ice amid the ringing cheers OF the
spectators.
Poor LilI-.. ~ what pitiable state
she was TO BE- sure, as she stood on the
ice. Twenty greatcoats were immedi-
ately offered in which to wrap her.
But all Lilla's coquetry had vanished,
and she gratefully ano humhly accept
ed Franks. The lsst shadow of the
young mans resentment had vanished
too. at the sight of the girls peril, and
he tenderly enveloped her in the folds
of his rough shaggy overcoat, and
raising her in his arms, carried her
with all spesd to one of the carriages
that were waiting to convey the fair
skaters home. This untoward acci
dent prematurelv broke up the party,
and very soon the great pond was ELI
tirely deserted.
That evening Lila, ina multitude of
warm wrappers, was reclining on the
sofa in DIR. Marchant's library, whilst
the light of the fire-there were no can
dies or lamps lit-cast a CHEEKY red
glow over the apartment. There was
no one else present except Frank
Drake, who sat on a low stool by Lilla's
side, holding one of her hands in his.
1t was quite evident that more than a
truce had been concluded between the
brilliant parties. Pace had been
proclaimed, and from all appearances
it seemed likely to be a lasting one.
Franks greatcoat which had rendered
such good service still hung drying by
the fire. The lovers were pratling a:
lovers have done and will do till the
end of time.
"And so you put the valentines into
the wrong envelops, Frank" said Lila
smiling; ''but 1 was foolish enough tc
to be jealous of Dora Mackinnon."
Yes, darling; and"
'Ah. you may call me darling
now"
Frank pressed the small white fling
ers, and continued.
IN tell you Just how it was Lila
You see. Tom Myres is sweet on Dor;
Mackinnoh, and l think there ism
much doubt but that she loves hin
dearly. But he wanted to make sure
you know, and send her letter tha
she should take in serious light, an,
not as a mere valentino"
''Yes, l understand that; but VII,
should you write itl''
"Well, Tom thought Dora would b
sure to guess who it really came from
20 =, Vorn