Evening star., 1897-02-20
his speed and began to consider what

course he should adopt.
II he went all the way down the lake TO
point opposite Pine Bluffs and cut
straight across to the town II would be
safest. for he would have thick smooth
ice for the whole distance: but it would
also take him longer than to strike dago-
nallg across the lake from where he then
was The latter plan would take him over
couple of miles of ice of waicn he could
not be sure, but he wolld, thereby, save
nearly half an hour of valuable tune pro-
vided the ice held.
A couple of inmates Of ,iaba:e decided
him. The Cosmos needed he story"
as a man had called IL. as soon as possible.
He had undertaken TO see that il got
through quickly. He fCil that II a regular
member of the staff of that paper had the
matter in hand he would not weigh his
convenience, or even some danger. against
doing the service speedily.
He swung around and started out on a
straight course for the town. The wind
was on his back and If he had skaied fast
tefore, he now WAS ringing along at a
pace which made his earlier effort seem
slow. In five minutes he was entirely with
out shelter of the high ground.
The ice was still firm. but almost trans
parent under the light which the moon
casionally gave. as il struggled from be
tween clouds. 1t had stopped showing, but
hitle whirlwinds of light powdery flakes
now and then scurried across his path.
For some reason which he could not a;
first explain, Bert began to grow uneasy
He strove in vain to drive the fear from
his mind. The ice looked no thinner: there
was no break in it; apparently it was firm
ana capable of bearing his weight; Sut
somehow the feel of it tcId him that he
was in danger AS he swept forward he
seemed to be rising and falling with each
long stroke. He had been on such ice he
lore 1t bent under him in waves and he
knew that if there had been more light
by looking over his shoulder he would have
seen it undrlatnS IN long swells Just
IKE the water of the lake on a calm day.
The ice TOO thin to bear his weight
if he stood still for an instant The skim
ming speed of his flight alone kept him
from crashing through IL. Would ii grow
thinner? If il cid there little chance
or his ever getting safely to land. he
was nearly in the middle of the lake, and
there presumably, the ice was weakest.
lie Knew IL was race for life.
Suddenly. back OF him, the painting boy
heard an CmiEoGS crack. 1t did not need
glance behind to tell him what had hap
pened The ice had broken there as II
rose. released from his weight A chill
struck through him, but the fear merely
made him increase his efforts. He knew
that he was going at a tremendous rate
yet 1t seemed as if The dangerous space
would never he passed.
But now, through the darkness the
hghtS OF Pine Bluffs began to twinkle cniy
a lew miles away. Bert no longer felt
that terrifying rise and fall of The ice be-
meath him and skated with new confidence
Tired though he was his speed did nor
slacken. He had reached safety at last.
He struck the shore near the stean-
boat wharf. and it was only minutes
work to pull off his skates. Then. swing
ing them over his shoulder by a strap he
Waded through the snow to the path which
had been partially shoveled clear Five
minutes later he was a. the telegraph olIice
Are the wires working he asked
breatnlessly
''All open,'' returned the Official
Thank goodnessr' calculated Bert. For
moment he had thought of the awful
possibility of being stopped here after all
his work and danger. He unbuttoned his
coat and pulled out the precious manu-
script Send that through to the Cos
mos as fast as you can, please" he said,
handing 1t to the operator. And here's
my card"
The operator glanced at the bit of paste
board, and then looked curiosly at the
boy. Are you one of the Cosmos men,"
he asked.
Il am tonight" Bert answered promptly.
Il brought that message across the lake"
The man uttered an ejaculation. We'll,
you newspaper fellows do beat all
Soon the message was speeding over :he
wires, and to Bert the clicking of the in
strument was the sweetest sort of music.
He leaned on the sill of the office counter
and eagerly listened until the last word
had been transmitted. Then he suddenly
realized that he had to return that night,
and that he should be starting, for he
would have to go back by the longer way.
AS he reached the door of the room the
telegraph instrument again began to click,
and the operator sang out 10 him: Here,
Hold on there, Cosmos they're sending a
message to you from the city office" And
Bert halted in surprise
After minute the operator said: They
say send five hundred words on your trip
across the lake.
How'd they know anything about that?'
asked Bert in wonderment.
1T was in your account here at the end
explained the operator. Don't you re-
member" Bert did not remember, but he
understood. The Cosmos man had added
line explanatory Of how his STORY was
to be put on the wires For moment the
young asprant for newspaper honors did
not know Just what to do. Here was his
chance but 1t was unexpected that the
surprise of 1t bewildered him. But he
managed to answer: "All right. Tell them
they shall have II at once"
The experience he had so recently been
through was still vividy clear to his
minds eye, and he gave it in a straight
Onward simple story. The five hundred
words were quickly written and DISPATCH
ed, signed with his name. Then Bert. with
a good night to the operator, trudged with
light heart down to the frozen lake.
1t was a long. hard pull back. for he
had to make big detour to avoid the thin
ice, and 1t was II o'clock when he reached
home. His father was waiting for him: so
was the Cosmos man, and many were
the words of praise he got for his pluck
But happy these made Bert feel il
was a letter which came a week later that
made his JOY the greatest. 1t was from
the managing editor of the Cosmos" and
1t offered him chance to work for the
paper with the promises If he did well.
that he would be regularly enrolled Oh the
staff.
OF course, Bert wrote a prompt accent
ance, with his fathers approval. and how
much he made of his opportunity is shown
by the fact that he now has responsible
place on the Cosmos force and Is one
of that papers most trusted workers.