The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-03-06

young people on this particular morn
ing boarded it without a trcmor
Tom steered, and Madge sat well to
the rear and in front Of Bronze. Sew
eral times during the mad ride she felt
his hand close almost conyulSiVely on
her arm, but she fairly reYelcd in the
wild moment. She was strongly ath-
letc In her tastes and AFRAID Of moth
Ing
When the party reached the brow of
the hill for the second plunge. Bronze
looked very grave, and while he made
no effort to induce tile others 10 give
up the trip he firmly declined 10 make
it again Instead he would build fire
and have it jolly and comfortable on
their return. Madge gave Katherine a
significant glance, but she could not
catch her brother Toms eye.
On their return from the run they
found Bronze chatting pleasantly with
Harry Martin who had driven over in
his smart new cutter. Katherine and
Madge sprang into the sleigh and cud-
died down under the fur robes. while
Harry stood beside them, his hand
resting lightly on the reins.
Suddenly Il shout of laughter from
the group around the brushWood fire
startled the horse, and he plunged for.
ward, jerking the rens from Harry's
hands. Straight down the hill he tore,
headed for Beemer's bend and the
sheer cliff. What if his foot should
slip ON the bend!
The two girls did not scream, and
Madge made vain effort to snatch at
the reins dragging on the ground. Her
brother groaned and suddenly threw
his hand in front of his face That
1.-THE figure throw itself on the bobsled
and send it shooting after the run
away. 1t was Bronze, skillfully steer
ing the great sled so that it kept be-
tween the runaway and the outer edge
of the road. The two vehicles, the
swaying cutter and the jerking bob
sled, round the fatal cliff, with Just u
few inches to spare on its edge for
the brave fellow who handles the
wheel. Now the horse gains, but the
road is safe and level. Bronze steers
his unWieldly sled to the inside of the
road. He gains once more. As he
shoots past the cutter he leans forward
and clutches the reins. The sled darts
from under him. He is on his feet,
saving on the lines, but with the blood
q pIIf
In the twilight Madge Turner sat by
the lounge in her fathers library.
Bronze, with an aching head and a
bruised body, was lying there con
tentedly watching the dancing fan IS
In the crate.
"Would you mind" suggested Ma1ge
in a subdued voice, telling me why,
If you were not afraid to take that
awful ride after us, you would not
board the bobsled for fun"
Because said Bronze, a slight flush
spreading over his pale cheeks-"be-
cause my mother has sacrificed a great
deal to send me to college | want to
repay it some day, and l have no right
to run unnecessary risks
oh said Madge, with an eloquence
which only woman can throw into
her voice.
Katherine appeared at the door half
an hour later and remarked:
IF you're going to the church social
with us, Madge, you'd better get dress
ed"
II guess won't go. Let Tom go.
1--we promised Mr.. Bronze to read to
him awhile"
Yes assented Tom, his head APP
pearing above Katherne's in the door
way, land | think the rest of us had
better go. The more quiet old Charley
is the better