Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-06-03

Brighter than the reflection from the
hills. she flashed glance at me-det-
antly-and yet
My heart throbbed with exultatiOn
as we walked on together. Perhaps |
was only making ready for Il mighty
disappointment. but this was my hour.
Suddenly she broke the silence. You
needn't call me Miss Manning any
more; that's absurd. | think. Call
me MadGe. Only you mustn't fancy it
means anything-cXcept just good-fel-
lowship and common sense. l do like
you--ever so much-as a friend; too
much to let you spoil it all" And she
met my eye with n look so steady that
my hot pulses slowed once more.
Again we marched in silence along
the CLASSY surface. across the hidden
pastures. stepping lightly over the top
rails Of the smothered fences. dragging
after us the heavy sled. She would
help draw 1t. and she wouldn't ride. 1t
was uneasy walking over that slippery
glaze, but even when we began the as
cent of the hill rarely would she accept
my proffered aid. When she did take
my arm for a few steps up a steep in
cline, the soft pressure Of her hand sent
| in way the hardest climbing could
never have provoked. But soon she
sprang away. crying out gayly: I'D
rather walk free, Tom. Don't imagine
you can tire me--even here on your ma
tive heath. And we can slide back most
of the way, can't we, tree and all:
Won't that be jolly?"
| 1t was indeed written In the book of
fate that we should slide that day. and
together. 1t was far from Jolly" but
| shall ever bless that hour of pain and
terror. Kismet which being transla-
ted into Christmas phrase read. "Thy
will he done" IL Is the essence of all
prayer, fitting alike in peril or in
thanksgiving.
We had reached the crown OF the hill.
| On one side was spread the sheen of
the Icy landscape; on the other a dense
column Of fog rose from the gulf be-
low. We had selected beautiful
young fir, its fragrant branches drOop-
ing lower under their crystal load than
they were destined to under the bur
den of all our Christmas offerings.
While | felled it Madge sat on the
sled, just over the slope Of the rounded
summit. gazing with curiosity into the
misty valley of ill-omened name, n lit
tie weary despite her boasting. Now
and then she idly lifted her feet and al
lowed herself to slide forward n few
inches. her soft blue muller streaming
out in the rising wind.
Take care" l called. aud like an
echo came bird-like scream. dropped
my AK and sprang toward her. A sud
den gust had impclled the sled down
the steepening grade. and her dainty
feet were grinding upon the icevar
nished crust in vain. My heart stopped,
and my breath; my eyes blurred; my
thought was as innrticulate as the cry
of frightened beast. With fierce.
tigerish bounds overlook the sled and
leaped upon it-only to drive it the
more swiftly onward by the impact of
my body.
We were in for it now. The sled
dropped down from the brow Of the hill
with n dizzy rush that was like Il sheer
fall through space; the mists from the
gloomy gulf below seemed to be flying
up In our faces. On that frictionless
surface my efforts to check our speed
were as futile as an attempt to stop in
midair. Yes. we We're in for It: but the
Lord he thanked, we were together.
We We're to go together-tO whatever
doom. My left hand was thrown for
ward to grasp the front of the sled !;
and as felt her trembling form lean
ing back upon my arm. somehow my
terror vanished. my sight cleared.
The slope ut the start. though steep.
was not precipitous. and the ground
was Open-a sheep pasture. In fact--hut
we were crossing 1t with arrOwy swift
ness In moment we had passed the
first fence. striking the top rail near its
end with a conclusion that swept It
from Its place and sent II spinning like
a teetOtum down the frozen incline.
The cry Of the ice grew shrill under
the singing touch OF our steel-shod
runners: it rose almost to a shrek; the
wind that had pushed us down the hill
had reversed and surgcd In our faces,
plucking the cap from my head, suck
Ing the breath from my lungs.
And now the Jagged outline OF a
stump fence starts up In our path like
an evil dreama bristling barrcade of
huge roots, tangled and twisted, only
half submerged in the SNOW. TO strike
1t Is instant death. One narrow gap
appears--can l make III Can | steer
through! The sled Is no more to be
controlled than a skiff as II plunges
down cataract, but strain in frantic
effort With sullen reluctance 1t re-
spends: slightly-very slightly-it
swings from its course; we shall run
clear. Then a sudden swerve to the
left; an instant that seemed an age;
and we flashed past-sO close that a
sharp projecting fork sheared through
my hair like a grazing bullet, leaving
a furrOwed scar that it with me still
From this point the track grew
| ronUhar and even S,4nncr. onr Spen,l