The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1898-12-06
BREAKING THE ICE.

Harold Severn and Frank Spencer wer
Doth in love with Alice Ware, but she had
90 successfully used those methods in
which all accomplished young women ara
we'll versed that neither of them had any
assurance of being favored suitor. With
most admirable adroitness she would di-
vide her attentions between the two and
then on convenient occasions would slight
them both with equal sincerity.
One afternoon in midwinter as she sat
playing and singing dreamily to herself
she was interrupted by her cousin Edith,
who came to discuss the skating party
planned for the approaching evening.
"We must start early, SO that we can
make the most of it," she said enthusi-
astically. They're going to build fire
on the bank of the pond, where we can
warm ourselves and have our refresh
ments, and believe twill be the gayest
time we've had this season."
81 don't think care much about It, ("
said Alice, lingering her piano absently az
she spoke.
Regardless Of her Indifferent manner,
Edith continued her lively conversation.
Didn't Frank Spencer look fine at the
last dance, as if he'd just stepped out of q
fashion plate?"
II hate to see man look that way"
said Alice coldly. IT'S a bad sign."
"Nonsensel tits only signal that he's
| fastidious, that's ALL" replied Edith
Harold ought to suit you better, then.
His necktie is hardly ever exactly
straight"
HE is careless about his clothes, and
that's another bad fault"
"Goodnessl If 1 wasn't acquainted
with you, Alice, I should think some
thing dreadful was going to happen, but
I know you'll be yourself again when you
| get on your skates with devoted attend
ant on each side."
The full moon shone in q cloudless sky
when the party reached the pond, and,
soon equipped for their sport, they went
skimming away over the sparkling surface
like flock of swift winged birds, while
the brushwood fire burning on the bank
| shed warmth and brightness around the
merry scene.
Exercise sharpened all appetites, and
the lunch baskets were emptied at an early
hour, after which their spirits seemed to
rise to higher levels. Alice especially dis
| played more than her usual willfulness as
she performed her capricious evolutions,
closely followed by her unwearied satel.
lites.
At length as she was describing q wide
circle near the edge of the pond she ap
preached a point where the prying beams
Of the afternoons sun had discovered 9
| weak spot, and now the warm breath ol
| the fire waited across it had rendered II
unsafe. But, unaware of this, she swepr
fearlessly onward, when suddenly the 10,
gave way at her feet, and she sank int,
the water beneath. Though the deptl
| was not great, the shock was sufficient t.
excite her utmost terror, and, struggling
helplessly, she shrieked aloud, "Oh, Har
old, save me?'
Both young men arrived at nearly tn
same moment, but Harold had heard hi
name called, and with headlong speed b
rushed to her aid. Plunging into tn
broken ice, he held her fast while he strov
to secure a foothold on the muddy bot
tom. He was not long in doing 80, ant
then succeeded in getting to the shore un
assisted with Alice olinging frantically +
him.
"Oh, Harold" she murmured between
her shivering sobs, ''I'm so glad you 60
herel Ididn't want Frank to get ME out.
"Let me get off your skates, quick
Alice, and then we must hurry home, TO
you'll get deadly oold.'
Frank met them on the bank, sayin
anxiously, "Do let me help about come
thing
"Take care of our skates, will your
said Harold. "We've got to race for life,
and catching Alice by the hand they raj
like two children across the meadow
the road, where they disappeared from th
sight of their companions, who imme
; diately disbanded and hastened ava
from the scene of the catastrophe.
Frank Spencer mechanically gathere
up the skates that had been left In hl
care and walked in silence amid the talk
ative groups, feeling that something wa
ended forever.
Alice, comforted by dry clothes and
, warm bed, soon recovered from her obi
and fright, and Harold, blessing his goo
. fortune that at the mere cost of col
bath he had won her approval slept wit
rainbow visions lowering around his pi
! low.
The next morning, as soon as practics
: BILE, he called on Alice, to find her cali
and reticent-not at all tie clinging, in
pulsive being he had so lately rescued bu
resolved not to be baff1ed, he ventured
say, 81 never dared to think before tn,
you could really care for me, but la
night, when you said"-
> "You were my choice then," she ha
. tened to reply, with a look and emphas
that struck the gallant youth like bio
in the face, and, unable to command b
, / voice, he rose and walked to the window
But in a moment he was aware Of har
| on his arm and pair of mischievous ey
\ | looking up into his.
, 81 know you don't choose me today,
, he said falteringly, endeavoring to ket
!, his gaze fixed upon the distant landsoap
"Why, yes, do" she answered
tones of such evident truthfulness tn,
the courage Of her hearer again revive'
and he questioned impetuously, "Todt
and always?"
I "Yes," was the reply, "if you are bel
, on making it such serious affair. "-Bo
a ton Post.
r How Detai1le Paints.
9 Detaille's method of composition is th'
t stated by him In Vachon's biography:
@ 81 compose my pictures In my head,
q q musician composes without the plan