Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-07-03
CHAPTER XVII,

Dvefgreens, the WIN stiTTeu ".
bare branches. the blue sky looked down
serene rnd calm, while the giris grace
mi Heure dortcd away with the lightness
nnd swiftness of a bird. Anice stood quite
still; only heaven knew what was IN her
heart-on her face was calm. grim expcc-
tation; the beauty had all gone from 1t;
woful passion looked out of the dark eyes;
the white lips were locked In dumb 81.
1euce. She stood quite calm. silent and
still. How many minutes passed she never
knew--it might have been hours or days;
she took no note Of time.
but suddenly OH the clear air rose TOR
rble cry-oniy one cry. but 1t seemed 10
cleave the high heavens and culver III the
sunlight. 1t pierced her like sharp
sword. but she did not move-no sound
came from her lips. no stir to her liinbs.
She looked across the glittering Ice;
there vas nothing TO be seen-the benu
of the water and group Of trees hid Pret-
~ Bay from her sight. Silent anu mo-
tionlcss she stood there. The cry came
again: fainter this time. and more despair
ing; 1t did not clcavc the sunny AIR; u
did not reach the high heavens, but seem
ed TO fall over the waters ana die under
the ice. For the second time. she reclcd
under the shock. then again stood MOTION,
less--no sound. no movement. Inc VIM
stirred the big bare branches. ana ,hc
sound reused her. With murder hh n'r
face, she walked round the pool. looking
with mad. frightened eyes ut the firm.
white surface.
All, thcre-therc In the midst Of Pretty
Bay, the ice was broken. and the water
appeared above IL; and there lay white
handkerchief she knew well. The old
refrain came to her--"tndc the Ice. cold
and dead: he will be free to marry me-.
Was she there! Was she dead! Lot
assurance he doubiy sure. She stood with
murder in her eyes listening; but no fur
thcr sound came. none. The wind swept
over the Ice: once the water stirred slight.
IL, but the terrible cry that had risen to
the high heavens was silcnccd. TO be heard
no more.
Then recollection came 70 her; sud-
den shuddcr seized her. and turning from
the spot. she Dew rather than ran. with
q cry for help on her lips.
'Help." when she knew that the fair
young girl lay dead. "liclp." when she
knew that she had compasscd her death
as surely Ms though she had slain her
with her own hand. "llclp." when she
1 knew that no power OH earth coud lend
her aid
She few rather than ran; she reached
the ground where n group Of laborcrs
iere busy at work: she seemed to them
spring from the earth.
Help! help" she cried, ms she sank OK.
stcd on the ground near them. "Oh,
keaven's sake. help! My sister was
ng on Laiydcep Pool. and has fallen
gh the Ice. Help. for heavens
Icy rushed of. leaving hcr lying there;
was life to be saved. and no time
TO be lost.
know where there Is n rope" criod
"Thwaitcs always keeps one. In the
house."
ey has,cned. they worked az hard as
could work. In less time than It
10 write II, the rope was fastened
.,nc who Owed into the water where
Ice was broken.
here was not u sound; the sun shOne
bravcly, the lovely. bright morning
In II no shadow: nature had no sym.
" with the tragedy enacting before
hrec men stood silent on the banks,
lie the fourth Owed beneath the lee.
nee he came TO the surface, holding
IL hand cuif Of brown fur.
have found this" he gas?c'l. "but
mot lind her."
nice rose from the spot where they
left her.
Help" she cried again. as she flew
Hhther than walked to the house.
Lady Pitcairn came first to meet her:
she saw her from the drawing room win.
dOws.
"What Is the matter. Anicey" she cried.
''Grcat heavens how you terrify me-"
"Mamnn, send help: Cecile has fallen
through the Ice on Ladydeep Pool"
There was one cry of startled horror.
one moment Of dismay, then Lady Pit
cairn was herself again. She never for a
moment dreamed Of the worst-it was but
a fall, an accident; she FASTENED quickly,
ordered blankets, brandy--everyth thing that
could DO useful-sent men and women. aud
then went herself. She left Anice lying
where she had fallen on the ORA wing room
door.
All help was In vain. Tho man diycd
three times before he found her. and then,
when the beautiful body was laid on the
bank all life had aed from 1t.
Mother, father, friends, servants crowd.
cd round; II was hopeless, she had been
dead for some time before she was taken
from the water. All help was useless. all
vain. Nil unneeded; there was nothing TO
~ N~"S WV SoAsy uehu UOuy
home. through tho sunshine. Then they
crowded round Anice, who still croucheil
with her wild, white face where they had
left her. How did 1t happen?
ClamOrous grief, wild-eycd wonder; all
asked the same Question-hOw did Il han.
pen? She sat up, and looking round on
them, told the same sad story. 1t was M
sad, SO simple. They had gone together
TO skate on tho pool. Cecile went first
she had helped her on with her skates.
So that she was ready first, and went on
without waiting for her sister.
Then. from out that listening, horror.
stricken group came Lady Hilda, her face
pale and set. She went UP to Anice aud
looked ut her.
HDid you give your sister Sir Leofric's
wdrningy" she asked.
"What warning!" said Anice, shrinking
from the questioning eyes.
"Did you tell her that the mart of the
pool called Pretty Bay was unsafe?" she
said.
YES" replied Anice II did tell her
said. DO not go near Pretty Bay. the Ice
Is broken there"
"Did she hear your" asked Lady Hilda
II should imagine so; she answered me
She said: I will be careful. Anice.' She
did not start In the direction of Pretty
Bay, or ! should have noticed It,"
yet she was found In Pretty Bay
said Lady Hilda.