The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-10
DOWN THE TOBOGGAN SLIDE
By CHARLES W1LsTEAD

Looking up, Ed saw that some one was
struggling to jump out of the cutter. 1t
girls figure. Instinctively Simpson rushed
forward, dragging the toboggan behind him.
AS he came nearer he heard her gasp:
| 'Please-go. Drive like mad by the old
road, and / will wait here and call to father
should he come from the other SIDE
NO. Mary answered Watson,t"I will not
go and leave you here
What's up?" cried Ed, hurrying to the
side of the cutter
Oh, Mr.. Simpson, the new bridge has
given away in the CENTER There-see, it has
carried away the lights on tho other end
If father should come this way, ne would
drive straight to death. MIR. Watson, please
hurry! Oh, do"
Miss Mary" interrupted Ed, "let me stay
here, and you drive round with Mr.. Watson.
'Ts too cold for you to stand here
mo, no. I would only be an added burden
for the horse. Oh, why don't you drive on
Mr. Watson?"
There is the light of a rig down at the
second bend,'' cried Ed excitedly, pointing
across the rayine Then. without another
word, he seized the toboggan and rushed for
edge of the hill Watson, realizing that time
was precious, whipped up his horse and made
for the old road around the ravine. The dis
lance was fully two miles, but the rig the
other side was fully half a mile from the
bridge, and coming slowly. He might make it.
"You are too late, Watson y yelled Smp-
son 'Stay here with Mary. I will go down
| the ravine."
Watson was out of hearing but Mary Muir
took in the situation at once.
:'Mr. Simpson, she called. running after
him, ''vou must not! See! The wreck has
fallen right across the foot of the slide. and
You will rush to your DEATH. Please don't go
that way -.s -.a
q must There is slight opening there
TO the right and can make it in the moon
| light. Besides. it's your father or me. and
l can take the chance. for''-he hesitated
second, then spoke hurredly-"Watson will
never catch him in time. but can catch
him q. the foot Of the first turn if all is
well. % go -..--..
Cant we CALI" she asked appealingly.
| NO The wind Is too strong from that d.
rection.' -
Then I am going with you, Ed"
Ed! She had never called him that before!
MARY, dear, it might mean your death.
You must not come
| She laid her hand on his arm. 81 am go
ing. You can steer better with two on board.
And, Ed, know you will be more careful if
with YOU .. -.-
| Very gently and without further parley he
| placed her on the toboggan in front Of him,
| then pushed the sled to the brink of the steep
decline
"Fold fast, little one,'' he said. land before
| we leave He stopped over her. and.
raising her white face kissed it tenderly. And
| then--they were off.
! Like an arrow shot from the bow they sped
| over the snowy surface down to the bottom.
! Along the level they dashed for a few fur
| longs straight through the only opening in
| the wreckage OF the bridge, then over the ley
surface of the creek on, on up the hill TO the
| first turn of the road, then-crash!
| Ed was dazed even as he scrambled to his
feet.
eli there! called voice. "Sure as shoot
| ing, you've killed that gal!''
! A sturdy. heaviest man tumbled out OF
rig and came running down the hill.
..You idiot you ought to be Jailed for this!'
! sputtered the old fellow in great excitement.
But Ed heard not word. He had Mary in
| his arms when the Infatuated farmed seized
him by the shoulder.
"she is killed, you young idiot, and I'll see
that you hang for it! Give her to me. sir!
Whose daughter is it?' Then as Simpson,
| recognizing the voice. turned about, the old
fellow exclaimed in surprise: eff it amt
YOU. Simpson, I'll be blamed! I always knew
YOU for venturesome idiot! And-my Cod
| my Mary!'
..Hush, father. I am not hurt; not even
bit frightened. And, please. father, don't
abuse Ed that way. You would be thanking
him if you knew what he risked for me-
mean for YOU
| Then, catching sight of Eds face, cut and
| bleeding, womanlike she turned from the en-
brace of her parent, threw her arms about
her lovers neck and burst into tears
| =
''No, sir, he is not young fool,'' said Mr..
Muir emphaticaly he drove home with
Fred Watson, having turned his own rig
| over to the young couple. ''Confound it, sir,
he is a man in thousand, and am as good
! a judge OF men as Mary, sir!''