River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-01-19

couldn't do it. The wind seemed to
roar in her ears; the runners. in their
increased speed had taken on sort
of screech. II was dreadful
What was that zgzag dark line
ahead? 4 crack. Not big one Not
so big. she thought, but that the boat
would slide over it,.
There was a sudden crash, a lurch
Edna felt her hand ierked from the
rudder. the breath jerked from her
body, and for a bewilderd moment
she half believed her head had been
jerked off her shoulders. She felt her
self thrown with mighty strength,
which carried her along the ice at
swift speed for several rods
She had a confused fear that she
should never stop; but at last she did,
and she slowly sat up, Her first con-
viction was that all her bones were
broken: her next. that certainly the
side of her on which she had slidden
was sore. And her third, that down
the distant bank were two figures com
ing on a run-Gilbert and Syd.
She got to her feet in hurry. A
long way off lay the ice boat, with
her bowsprit stuck fast where it had
struck in the jagged edge of the crack;
ii being crack Of no mean size. And
Edna was still standing there and
staring at it, and rubbing her bruised
elbow. when the boys came racing and
striding across the ice. But she was
ready for them; she stood up straight
la-tf Il
called out
"Are you broken?" sgd shouted back,
that's the question:" And they be-
gan to talk together.
Eve saw you" said Gilbert.
eve knew it must be you" said sgd
Though we couldn't believe it,"
THAT crack! Goodness, why didn't
you stop her? You went sliding off her
and over the ice like bird Are you
hurt? No? Sure?"
"Sure!" said Edna, and then they
all burst out laughing.
Say, what did you do it for?" said
sgd. where were you trying to get
to, anyhow"
ITO the Corletts'." said Edna, with
lifted chin. 'I was invited, but Won
went off without me, and thought I'd
go. anyhow, and get there ahead of
you"
But you didn't, quite" sgd
chuckled.
There, let her be-" said Gilbert.
"She's got a lot of nerve, anyhow.
hasn't she, though? She's all right
l say!"
Edna's lip began to tremble. That
speech gratified her. and touched her
heart. 81 was real mad because you
went off without me-" she faltered
Gilbert and sgd looked at each other.
They dug their toes into the ice Shall
we tell her?" said Gilbert.
might as WELL" Syd responded.
Say, see here, Edna" He crossed his
thumbs. You know how bad you've
wanted to know what that meant?
Well, we couldn't tell you, because it's
about you"
TITS a surprise party" said Gilbert.
cor il was. Next Thursday night.
That's why we wanted to go to Joe
Corlett's without you. We were go
ing to get Joe and the three Of us were
going around to invite the girls and
| boys We'd have gone down on the ice
boat ourselves, but we were going over
on the north road TO invite the Gibsons.
and coming home around that wav.
\ We weren't going TO breathe a word TO
you about it. We hadn't even told moth.
err, not YETI
ITS what we've been doing so much
whispering about lately" said sgd.
/ For me-" said Edna, slowly. "a
surprise party!" She grew red; her
/ eyes filed. 'Oh, dear! I've been aw.
/ fully mean I've been real hateful and
! horrid. Oh, dear me, SUI! It would
have served me right If I'd-wen, I'd
| just ought to have broken an arm, OF
something!"
mo. you hadn't" said Gilbert. at
was real spunky of you 10 do it, Edna"
! 1.-Two or three lessons, and you'll be
dabster with an ice boat" said Syd.
| and it's all right about the surprise
party" said Gilbert, "all but the sur.
prise; Wen have It Just the same.
You'll have just as much fun. ANYHOW
Come on! wei go the rest of the way
on the ice boat, seeing it's here. And
look sharp, and Wen show you how
/ to run her"
"Oh, dear!" said Edna, again. "I've
been too outlandish for anything."
And when they brought the ice boat
she took her seat on it meekly.
But there was new brightness in
! her eyes and new happiness in her
heart. For Gilbert and sgd would
never again seem 10 her like enemies;
they were her good, loyal friends.