The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-07
IT WAS a COLD DAY.
But Bertran Bid dlewax of Boston
Showed How Little That Fact AZ
fected Him.

oGS DCa u lAIG DA0 GA0WdA Vi POCbOA
Showed How Little That Fact Az
fected Him.
From the Erenin0 sun
1t is bitter cold on the outskirts Of Boston
and the cruel, lev gale whistles with freez-
ing savagery as it stings the shivering form
of Bertram Biddlewax to his hearts core
and stiffens the iccles that glitter in his
tawny beard.
He draws his great coat more closely
about him and hurries along the barren
country road and in the teeth of the chill
blast, while the great drifts of feathery
snow swirl about his head and cut into his
face as if the spirit of the cold was hurting
crystal needles through the air.
How numb | am getting he mutters,
working his fingers convulSively lest they
freeze, even in the depths of his wool-liued
pockets. ut behooves mo TO make haste or
will never reach the spot by the break of
day, and il the sun be born but half an hour
ere tue deed is done then will have staked
my all in vain. But that must not be. No,
Bertram Biddlewax, thy word has been
passed. and thy VOW must be kept even if
the richest, warmest blood that course
through thy veins CONCEAL and pause,
trapped and paralyzed."
Saying these brave words the young
man struggled on against the whirling
whiplash of the suoWstorm, pausipg only
to stamp with might and main to restore
the circulation in his feet and legs, and then
hurrying forward again with all the speed
the gale would admit Of 1t was a lonely
battle and he fought it out alone-alone
save once when he met a figure coming
through the binding smother OF maddeued
snow and stopped 70 answer to the strang-
er's gruff, "Good morning.
GCoO1 ~
then, noting something in the others blue
face that betokened suffering, he added with
a sneer: Could you lead me fa1r
The other staggered in the spasm of as
constituent that this request brought on and
sunk moaning to the ground. Coward
he feeblY cried, looking up "Coward, to
strike so unexpected a blow. Dark as it is
there is yet light enough for you to see that
have left my hot temper at home lest it be
spoiled on such morning, and therefore
you felt safe in saying what you did"
There was convulsive shiver and he said
no more. Bertram looked down at the
rigid figure, cold in death, aud his stiffened
upper lip cracked IN an attempt to curl.
Poor FOOL he said, II did not think he
would have taken my merry little jest SO
coolly." And he passed on, leaving his vic
tim prone on the frozen earth.
And now he came to the brow of long
y
spotless white to where the clump of trees
stood at the foot of the rocky knoll, he saw
group of four men, carriage and q
brougham. Five minutes brought him 70
the spot.
Gentlemen, 1 am here" he said, land
your sister, sir!' addressing young man
heavily mufflod up. "She is there" replied
the other, pointing to the brougham.
Come, time presses, and the air nips at our
very vitals. Here is your suit, there the
never-freezing cold spring. Our carriage is
at your disposal and beg you, for my sis
ters sake, if not for ours. to make good
your boast or fail in the attempt that we
may hurry back"
Bertram merely SMILED, and taking the
package the young man held out to him
entered The carriage. A few minutes later
he emerged arrayed in a sleeveless knitted
swimming suit and bowed to the four mea.
II am ready now" he sold, "let the lady
Judge if | am what l claimed to be-"
The door of the carriage was opened and
tall, classic beauty, with clear gray ewes
and face as eautifully pink and white as
IL chiseled from the roseeaf marble of
southern Greeca. stepped forth. She
acknowledged Bertram's presence &C. by a
slight nod. MAKE haste" she said, Ifor
the atmosphere is 50 entangled with the ex-
tremely low temperature that my predomi4
mating sensation is one of marked discom-
fort"
"You shall be spared every unnecessary
moments exposure replied Bertram with
a smile, and lie walked into the spring until
the icy water covered his shoulders. Two
of the four men turned away, shaking as If
stricken with an ague, and the others of
the group felt their very hearts CONCEAL.
Bertrem smiled. land now, Miss Beacon
street" he said. with laugh, NOW the ice
cream, please"
Il cannot, really cannot go that far
she answered her ewes filling with tears of
pride, as she watched him standing in the
freezing spring.
But it must be SO or else my oath is I'M
fulfilled" he pleaded.
So they brought her from the broughsm
little silver bowl and a spoon.
"Here, she said, shaving little of the
frozen delicacy from the pink lump, that
will do, and now bid you come forth. u
He did SO, and almost as he stood clear of
the pool he was clothed from his throat to
his feet III a suit of icy armor that flashed
back the rays of the newly arisen sun.
And do you believe me now, Minervar
be asked, presuming on his victory to thus
address her. And do you believe me now
when say that am worthy of thy love?''
II do, Bertram," she said, giving bin
hand, and | feel safe In trusting nv
future and my cool million to YOUR cure for
life. And now win drive home and will
look for you at breakfast"
Till then good-by," he replied, and turn
ing to the admiring group, he added, You
see, gentlemen, have kept my vow that
Bertram Biddlewax won't be left, not even
On cold day"