The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-01-15


than those about and took Frye's hand
and slowly skated toward 1t. When
very near they heard loud. angry
voices.
you're a dandy, you arev cried out
a man in very savage tones. said
you knew the whole country, and get
lost same's IL you were in an African
desert! You're n nice one to put trust
inw
How could 1 know this eclipse was
going TO leave us in this blacknessT
"Well. all know is. II we don't get
over to the sloop soon and make all
sail for New York, Van Schalk will
catch us like mice. l bet they're after
us now, and this snow, confound 1t,
leaves tracks. Ye gods. man, can't you
tell which way to turn?"
II can't. If we go straight on for all
all know Wen run right into Van
Schalk and the police"
Joel listened and froze with some
thing else than cold At once the
words of his mother, which he had
paid little attention to at the time. re-
Cured TO him, about diamond rob-
berry at Van Schalk's great country
house, full of guests for a Christmas
house party.
"Fryew he whispered. Lets go!
They're bur-"
Two big hands fell on the boys
necks.
what do you want here?" n great
voice growled, and in n second the
breathless boys We're pushed to the
spot where the two men were talking.
A light road wagon with one horse
stood on the ice. Two men were at
the horses head.
"Did you find any look of shoreT'
| one cried, as the boys captor led them
up.
Not Bit It's as black as ink! But
here's two kids found nosing around"
One man lit match and examined
| the boys faces.
whats up?" said he.
1--WE were skating and got lost" said
Joel.
Belong round these partsY
Eyes, sir"
"We're lost, too. Look here, II you
want TO earn a dollar apiece will you
guide us to the coast shore? Surely
you can tell which direction that is
in?"
Joel looked around In perplexity and
fear, and, as he did so. his keen bright
eyes, familiar with every light on the
bay. detected what none of the others
did-a faint twinkle in the rear. He
knew the light in the tower of the big
hotel near his home. He was about
to speak, when, for he was sharp
boy and brave one, he remembered
| what his mother had said about re-
ward for those lost diamonds. He re-
| membered. too. the ring dropped on
the ice. He had no doubt these We're
the thieves. Frye was shaking with
cold and crying. He could not even
nudge Frye.
I'm almost sure, sir" he said. Il
know the way"
"Which?"
Joe pointed to the rear.
II knew you We're wrong" cried the
| man TO his comrade-villain. There's
no time to waste. Skate on, boys, and
| we'll follow. Two dollars when you
show us the shorew
| On went Joel, white but firm in a
sudden determination, gripping the
weaker Frye's hand. Plots and plans
We're whirling through his excited
head. 1t was still pitch dark. and they
could easily have skated away from
Il l,,,t 70
wish. He skated just in front of the
horse.
1T seems a long wayw the man
shouted.
Not far nowr' Joel answered, as
cheerily as he could.
They moved swiftly. The light in
the hotel came nearer-grew bigger
The night lifted; the moonlight came
creeping back. Joel increased his
speed; the man whipped his horse.
IT'S a long wayv' yelled the man
with note of sudden suspicion in his
voice.
mot far nowv' Joel screamed back
and dashed ahead. "Come on, Fryer
The moon shone out again. and the
robbers howled with rage, for Joel had
led them straight to the town, and
right before them, among the trees
stood the house they had robbed.
"Trappedw screamed one.
Turn round and go back"
They tried to, but they were close II
among rushes where the ice was thin
squish, crish, splash! The horse ant
wagon went through the ice into thre,
feet of water, while the boys were run
ming along the beach yelling at the ex
treme height of their shrill voices
J Help! Murder! Police! Diamonds
Thievesv'
|, They reused the town; men rushed
from the houses; the burglars wer,
caught; the diamonds We're recovered
and the boys were rewarded, but-the!
got well spanked, too, by a judiciou
parent who looks at both sides of {
story. p. Y. Black, in the Chicago
Record-Herald.