Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-09-20

coun tenance, and was dressed IN an
exquisite costume of lavender satin
and white lace, with pearls for orna-
ments.
Presently Cassie saw Ransom Lin
den dancing with her, and caught
some passing comments from two gen
tlemen, VINO loitered near her hiding
place.
Linden and his cousin, Miss Fon-
tanelle, are the finest-looking couple in
the room"
"Yes; | heard they were hetrothed.
She will take her place right royalty
in this fine old house."
And the gentlemen strolled on,
quite unconcious of the pain their
words had given to the girl, who for
got her innocent pleasure in the gay
scene, and who only saw two faces
one Ransom Linden's bright and ten
der, smiling, the other-that cool, pat
rician face, with its gracious lips, and
calm, proud eyes.
And Cassie did not wait to thank
the master for his kindness, but
slipped away, out into the lovely night
and fled back to her own little home,
half blinded by hot tears, to sob her
self to sleep upon her pillow.
After that she avoided Mr.. Linden,
or, if she met him, was quiet and
grave, and received his tender speech
es rather coldly.
The young man took all this with
an air OF perplexed amusement but
made no further demonstration.
He was very much engaged with
his guests just now; soon they would
be gone, and then he would learn the
cause of his little loves co!dness.
So the days went by; the autumn
nights grew colder and colder; the
last faded leaf shivered to the frozen
ground and slowly the cleaning ice
shut the bright river into its winter
prison.
Cassie, in her rough, gray ulster
and little fur cap. slung her skates
over her arm one afternoon, and went
down to the river
One was there before her-Miss
Fontanelle, in dainty skating cos
tune of wine-colored plush, trimmed
with ermine. She was gliding over
the ice with slow graceful movements,
and Cassie watched her, bitter pain
and envy throbbing in her girlish
heart.
Her first impulse was to return, but
on second thought she buckled on her
skates, and was soon darting up the
river. while Miss Fontanelle poised
herself to watch the trim, little fig.
ure
AS Cassie turned to come back, she
saw the lady strike out for the middle
of the river, where the men had been
cutting ice only the day before.
For an instant Cassies heart stood
still with horrible temptation, and
then she uttered warning cry.
Too late! There was a crash, a
frantic scream for help, and Miss Fon-
tanelle went down.
A horseman was riding gaily up
the drive to the Linden mansion; Cas-.
sic saw him and sent out a ringing
call, as she darted swiftly to che treach-
erous opening
By the time Miss Fontanelle arose,
Cassie was lying her full length along
the ice, ready to seize her.
"Hold fast to my hands, she COM
manded, land do not struggle"
The lady's face was pallid, although
she was quite calm
She caught gratefully at the little
gloved hands, when there came sui,
len cracking, grating noise, as the
ice crumbled beneath Cassie's weight,
and she too was percipitated into the
river.
Don't be frightened" she said, at
once treading the water, and keeping
hold of her companion with one hand
while with the other she broke away
the thin ice until she found firm
hold.
Miss Fontanelle followed her exam
pie.
"Bless you, child" she said, smile
that was like Linden's lighting up her
proud eyes; "they are coming to save
usw
And she called loudly to hurrylng
group of men, headed by Ransom, who
saw her at once, and ran out upon the
ice
But Cassie's courage had failed her.
A cruel pain pierced her side and a
tremor shook her limbs. The wintry
landscape whirled about her.
Some one drew Miss Fontanelle out,
and then Ransom Llnden's face looked
at her, full of divine love and tender.
ness, as his strong arms closed about
her and drew her toward him, and
she knew no more.
For long days after, little Cassie
burned, and tossed and raved in fe-
yer, needless that the proud Miss Fon.
tanelle smoothed her pillows and
moistened her parched lips; uncon-
scious, too that Ransom Linden haunt.
ed the little house with anxious quer-
les and, pale, haggard face.
But Cassie was young and strong,
; and did not die.