The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1902-01-18
"But we've tried the Ice there. We
know it's strong" said he. Don't be

know it's strong" said he. Don't be
afraid"
He stepped off the rock and extended
his hand to her. She held back. He
gently drew her forward. and the next
instant they both scrambled to the
smokestack again. while in the place
where they had stood appeared an ON
nous marking upon the ice like great
spiders web.
I'll tell you what's fact, Miss Al
len," said the young man, with an eff
fort to be conventional. ITS II warm
day, and this ice is melting faster than
any ice | ever saw before. Upon my
soul" he added its beginning to
rainw
In fact, some drops fell fronl the lead
en- sky upon his OutstrGlchcd hand.
Gertrude caught him by the arm.
''Do you realize what that means"
she cried. 1--WE Shall have to stay here
forever"
"Well, it mightn't be more than two
or three Weeks" said he chcerfully
'"This weather can't last always And
Win you lOf company
DO you suppose it would do any
good to scream?" she asked suddenly.
Lets try"
'Fd be ashamed" said he. CHANGING
at the shore as if he feared detection,
and at that moment the bulky form of
Jack Kemp appeared in the path be.
tween the spruces.
For fully half minute Kemp stared
at them, and not a word was spoken.
Then he called in a voice that seemed
inappropriate to the seriousness of the
occasion:
Il say. What are you two doing out
thCre?'
'Wc'rc waiting for cold snap" re-
piled Ripley pleasantly.
We've been skating. and the ice is
all melting, and we can't get ashore"
said Gertrude.
Kemp took 4 scat on a rock.
'The way the ice mclts in Craigic's
pond" said he SIS sCandalous. 1t is
said to be due to n peculiar geological
formation which let's warm water into
this pond from the lower regions Of
the earth A Harvard professor was
mp here one time, ana lie told me-
"a little less geology and Il little
more assistance, Mr.. Kemp" said Rip.
ley, "would seem to meet the require
ments of the present situation"
Kemp took cigar out of his pocket
and slowly lighted it,
lie &c. , hor ,,r,rncifi,,, ha
II must think it over If Miss Allen
had taken the advice of sensible PEG.
ple"-
Ripley, glancing at Gertrude, per-
ceived that her face was crimson.
Il can't stand it either" he said.
Shall we make n dash? The ice will
surely hold if we go fast"
She nodded and took his hand. The
:?eXt instant they were skimming to.
ward the shore. But in that very spot
where Ripley had stood in the morning
when Kemp had startled him with
mention of the great depth below Ger
trudc was seized once more with I'M
comfortable trembling.
Feeling that she would fall Ripley
drew her toward him Involuntary.
while his speed was checked. And then
he felt the ice sinking under them.
Strangely, there seemed to be plenty of
time and yet not time enough to move.
Ripley's arm was around her; his face
was close to hers. She clasped him
suddenly, but not with the clutch Of
fear He knew it in that instant for
the last impulse of her heart, for an
embrace excused-hallowed. indeed-by
the near presence of death.
And then they stood together. stood
in water not over foot deep, stood
heaven knows how long. in that ridicu-
lous position, trying to realize that they
We're still a part Of this terrestrial
scheme
"Kemp, you scoundrel," cried Ripley
as he waded ashore with Gertrude in
his arms. Il thought you said there
was hundred feet of water there"
did II" said Kemp calmly. Il must
have meant the other side of the pond.
that rock and beyond it. But, you see,
l wanted to scare you. and did it too
That rock, by the way, is about as tall
as good sized trunk"
And the Shoal water extends be
You'd Z" gasped Ripley. How far"
almost to the deep hole where you
took your bath"
Ripley pressed his hand to his fore.
head.
You're wonderfully lucky liar,
Jack Kemp" said he. 81 died Il thou
Y-------- I !. = 1. NSSEzr.- : -.77rIr,.