The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-04

fRces were how dainty and pretty their
fur~trimmed garments. Philip Won
dered if girls ever had cares like boys.
'Does it bear
rIes, yes, Tn sure it does"
ut froze hard last night"
Il skated here earlier than this last
season"
BE careful, young ladies" put in the
warning voice of a teacher, as two
or three ran down the slight declivity
to the ice.
ITS as firm as a rock"
what a glorious slidel Come on.
girlslp
The merry peals and ordinations
rose higher. Philip turned his head for
a moment to see members of the frolic-
some crowd darling this way and that
as they tried the smoothness of the ice.
A moment later sharper sounds cut
through the air. A cracking and rend-
ing Of the ice-screams Of dismay and
terror. As Philip rushed back a fearful
scene met his shocked eyes. The greater
part of the ice had broken away and
sunk out of sight, leaving a dozen or
more Of the girls in water of no great
depth. A few who had been so fortu-
nate as to have remained near the shore
were splashing their way out or climb
ing the steep banks.
With one glance Philip took in the
whole situation; then, with a warming
cry, ran at full speed around to the
farther end of the pond. He knew every
inch of it, and knew that some were
threatened with danger more serious
than that which might follow an Icy
foot path.
go back-go the other way" he
called, wildly ge~sticulating to two who
were making their way toward him.
''The waters deep this way-go back"
One of the girls turned. The other,
with eyes wild with fright and bewil-
derment, still came toward the quarter
of the pond in which remained surface
of unbroken ice. AS she advanced, the
water deepened about her, and she gazed
from one side to the other in increasing
alarm.
By this time the news of the disaster
had spread, and the people were gather
ing from every direction. Men ran into
the shallow water to give help. Before
long all had been rescued except the
n whom Philip was a~nxiously watch
ing.
Others were anxious, for alIknew the
treacherous character of the bottom of
the pond just there. To approach might
mean death to two instead of one. She
was in the middle, water all around her,
except on n side, the ice toward which
she was making her way.
Phillip gazed desperately around him.
She must be helped out that way, but
how? No one could venture on the thin
ice.
On the bank lay a wooden frame or
skid which had been used the winter
before in the ice-cutting season. With
help from others Philip drew it to the
Ice and made fast to it a rope which
had been brought. Then he knelt upon
the end Of it.
'sGive it a shove" he directed, and
the frame slid W. the ice toward the
girl.
It brought him near enough to grasp
n OF her trembling hands, and he
never forgot the look she turned upon
him.
"0h-I Thought / was going down
here, with so many near"
"Not a bit of it.. said Philip, cheer
fully, notwithstanding a little gasp as
the too vigorous push of his assistants
sent his knees into the water as the ice
bent under him.
Were going to get. out right off,
now" he went on. Don't take a step
forward. It's deep water right ahead
of you. Now--the only way for me is
to drag you up on this
With all his strength he pulled on her
hands, striving as well as her half par
alyzed limbs would allow her to mount
upon the skid. But to his sore dismay
was soon obliged to see the hope
lessness of this aeans of rescue. With
every attempt the ice bent under him,
destroying the frail support.
"Can't you turn and walk the other
way?" implored Philip. "See-they are
ready to throw you ropes. 1t is your
best chance"
A POOA EhA Ad4 luTnCU, Out
whether from utter benumbing of her
limbs OF from the stupefcation of
fright, again laid trembling grasp upon
Philips hand.
I'VE must get a boat" was cried from
the bank. .'It is the only thing to do"
"A boatl" came in a gasp from the
girl. 81 shall die before it comes"
You WON'T said Philip, from be-
tween his chattering teeth. "You're
not going to die with so many all round
you.'
The two or three boats which be-
to the school were always taken
out in the autumn and stored in a
building near it. Very well Philip
knew that with the best efforts there
would be periIous delay in bringing
one.
Where's the key" was asked, as men
hurried toward the boathouse.
No one knew.
eBatter it down.
This was quickly done, men moving
an impulse given by the knowledge
that life and death were hanging on
their efforts.
Philips icy support was bending
and lower and he was half i'm. 1