Gilpin observer., 1901-02-28

Mo f-ol -SOp Wv Lhh NEOhs
cracked threateningly several times.
He had gone cut farther than any one
else; he had therefore double dared"
them all and was correspondingly elat-
ed and ready to chafr Jack. who had
refused to take part in the trials of
courage" that morning.
That's the way to do it, quoth jim
my Dermott. the double darer," gaz-
ing around for the admiration that he
felt to be his due. His eyes. wandering
over the group. fell on Jack, who was
skating slowly past.
Afraid of getting your feet wet out
there?" said the hero, pointing sugges-
lively toward the middle of the river.
This wtticisn moved the crowd to
smiles. Jack even thought that he de-
tected a CLEAN under n certain blue
bonnet trimmed with white fur. With
set lips he glided away in silence, only
to wheel around presently and come
back again. He skated up to Dermott
with his head erect and his eyes very
bright
IN tell you why haven't taken up
your dares this morning." he said.
Yesterday afternoon my mother was
driving by. and she saw me doing 1t,
and last night she showed me what
foolish business it is, and l promised
her to quit it."
"H-m." said Dermott, who was not
naturally disagreeable, but overfond of
getting the best" of everybody. mice
boy-no danger of falling in with
mothers apronstrings tied to him"
He was skating Backward rs he
finished this. Jacks face was flushing
and his mouth settling ominously.
However. he turned without n word
and made OF down the river. Dermott
deemed it best to send no parting jeer
after him. The blue bonnet with trim
ming OF white fur pointed in Jacks di-
rcctlon until his figure disappeared
around the bend.
That was in the morning Saturday,
about seven or eight years ago. What
happened in the afternoon is still talk
ed about whenever the skating season
comes around.
by o'clock nearly all the village
was on the ice. On the west side of
the river scores OF flashing feet were
seen, then came the treacherous middle
and the rough eastern shore where no
one ventured. Just across from the
village there Is tall brick house with
white columned portico looking down
upon the river.
Late In the afternoon n little girl
with yellow curls. big blue eyes. and
n fine red sled came down the steps
lending from the porch, large black
dog friskIng about her.
Jack saw her descending the steps,
and knew 1t must be his little friend.
Nina Holland, who had often sta!d
overnight with his youngest sister. He
watched her for y minute or two as
she ran down the yard. then he turned
and went off for his fnvorItc ''long
skate" around the bend.
Fifteen minutes later he was back.
having changed h's mind about going
all the way down to the island where
the good skating ended. AS he came
around the bend again he heard shouts.
clear and startling. coming through the
crisp air.
go back. go back! The Ice will
break Under your
As Is natural In such eases. his first
thought was that II was to him the
warning was given. aud he looked
anxlously before him. one glnncc. ana
his anxiety was doubled; but this tluc
1t was not for himself.
Several skaters had gone out toward
the middle of the stream and were
waving their arms and shouting ~
warning Mt something approaching
from the other side. n little girl on
red sled. which wns being dragged by
big black dog. with the sled rope In
his mouth. straight for the thin Ice that