The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-07-25
PUT TO THE TEST.

PUT TO THE TEST.
A very merry and well-assorted par
ty. consisting chiefly of young people
of both sexes, was one bright winters
morning assembled at Greystone Tow
ers, the country abode of Mrs. Ashton,
a retired banker, whose only daughter,
Lillian, governed his house, and bright
ened 1t with her fair young presence.
Among the guests ut the Towers was
one who followed every movement of
its mistress with longing gaze, but de-
spair in his heart. Harry Graham had
but lately returned to England, after
an absence of five years in Australia,
cherishing a secret hope that Lillian,
who was only sixteen when he left,
would be found there, and without
either husband or lover.
Before he went away Harry had not
breathed q single word of love to Lii
ian Ashton. He thought her too young
to be spoken to in regard to matter
that SO intimately concerned her future
welfare; and Us for starting a court
ship by means of letter-writing when
he was so far away from her, he had
too much sense for that.
TOO late! Too late!" were the
words that were whispered into his
thoughts Immediately after his return
to his old home, to learn that Lillian
was already engaged to a young man
who had been one of his early asso-
ciates. although for some reason, they
had always been rivals rather than
friends.
But, of course, it was impossible for
Lillian to have known, or even sus-
pected. anything of that sort, for that
hope, so fondly and deeply cherished,
had been guarded with the utmost
care, and by no word or breath had
his disappointment been limited to any
one.
1--WE are making up skating party,
to-day. Will you join us, Grahamp"
The invitation was given by half-a-
dozen young men, among them George
Bertram.
II don't think it is safe to 60 on the
ice to-day" was Graham's firm and
quiet reply. II hope you are not GO
ing to take any ladies with YOU"
'Indeed we arer' was their gay and
careless answer. Zone for each of us;
anu WO Will uuu OuC hlSO 1OI 1Ou.
An hour later, a skating party rushed
down on the ice, and were soon whirl-
ing and pirouetting in every direction.
Meantime, Harry was standing near
the bank of the river, observing their
performances with deep interest, and
yet with some anxiety and concern.
He knew there had been heavy rains
up the river, and he had observed
gradual swell of the ice, and he be-
lieved it was liable to break suddenly
ut any moment, and with little or no
warning.
Il wish had come home a year
ago." he unused; II am sure could
have wooed and won Lillian; and /
know she would have loved me better
than she will ever love George Ber-
tram"
And yet on these emotions and
thoughts the young man imposed
firm restraint, and inwardly resolved
that by no word, look or act would he
ever jeopardize her happiness, by per-
hitting her to discover or have reason
to suspect that he had ever felt for her
any special or personal interest.
Wild and frenzied screams were
rending the air, as in quick and rapid
succession, nearer and still nearer,
came o terrific rumbling and roaring
as If thousand pieces of artillery
were being simultaneously discharged.
The river had broken, and an immense
avalanche of ice was rapidly descend
ing. Already the very surface on
which the skaters were few moments
before so gaily disporting themselves
was breaking and parting, and the hap
less victims were clinging to the frag-
ments.
Instantly snatching boat-hook that
CHANGED to be lying near where he
stood, Harry Graham bounded from
one broken fragment to another. His
eye was fixed on one object, and he
saw nothing else, except with such
hasty glances rs aided and directed his
movements.
On single piece of ice, broken and
separated, and moving rapidly down
the now rushing current stood the
form of that one whose gay and happy.
movements he had been watching with
SO much interest few minutes before.
Standing there alone, with out-stretch-
ed arms, he saw Lillian Ashton, implor-
ing that aid which, though now appar-
emily impossible, could alone rescue
her from certain and inevitable death.
To hurriedly reach the ice-foat that
was carrying Lillian, alone and un-
protected, and which was liable to be
crushed in pieces any moment, obliged
Harry to spring from one broken piece
to another until more than half the
broad stream had been crossed. He
struck the float with his boat-hook,
and then with one last, desperate
bound, stood-where shall we sayp At
her sidep .
BUT where was George BERTRAND At
the first crack of the ice he had sprung
like frightened antelope, and at the
third bound was safe on the shore.
He saw his beloved Lillian rush to the
arms Of her rescuer, and strange
pang shot through his heart, or at least
through that part Of his body where
his heart, II he had one, would have
been located. Was IL an emotion Of
intense joyP q
Within the next hour the river was