The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-24

eether that there wasn't an inch left
for the cold to get in. And whenever
| foot went to sleep or somebody wanted
/ to sit near somebody else the whole
crowd had to change position, and
once. when Miss Van WYck cried,
] stake coachi" they nearly tipped the
4 bob over in their attempt to change
/ places all at once.
They went along the shore drive first
( The lake was all still and gray,
chilled into silence, though only frozen
near the edges.
''The desert and the Russian steppes
must look like that" Jean Stewart
said. MY! But aren't you glad it isn't
really either OF them, but only our dear
old lake, and that we're We"
And Martha Chester admitted that
she was.
They sang Justify every song they
knew and they waved and cheered the
other sleighing parties which passed
them on the road. once in the park
some boys chased them and threw
/ chunks Of snow in their midst, but the
driver spoke to the horses, and away
they flew leaving the boys IN the rear
jeering but unable to keep up
All along the boulevard they Whisk-
/ ed, through several of the near sub
urbs, then turned for home. The crowd
was a little quieter coming back and
/ better content to watch the beauty of
4 the night and to sing more softly.
! Through the beautiful winding paths
Of the park they came, along the silent
mOOnlit drive by the lake"then-
Well. no one ever knew quite how It
I happened; but from somewhere a great
/ big putting automobile made its ap-
/ pearance and crossed their path, near
/ ly colliding with them and frightening
the horses SO that they leaped forward
and tore down the boulevard.
It seemed for a moment as If the
| whole bob was turning over, but when
| it Strengthened itself and dashed for
ward swiftly not a girl was missing.
Many screamed, some took big deep
| breaths-and then Miss Van Wyck's
voice rang out calm and strong above
the thud of the horses feet and the
/ jingling bells:
'sGirIsl Hold on tight! Don't think
Of jumpingi There is no danger!"
And Miss Van Wyck was right; for
after a gallOp in which it seemed as
though the horses made a mile a. min
ute the driver brought them down to
a walk and then to a complete halt
His face looked white in the moon
light as he turned to ask:
"Anybody ~hurt?"
And of course nobody was, and they
drew up before the Stricklands' house
as quietly as If nothing had happened
to them
Perhaps" said Miss Van Wyck, as
they climbed out. 'it would be better
not to say anything about our break
away It really did no harm and I'll
tell Mr.. Strickland that nobody but the
automobile was to blame"
The driver regarded her gratefully
and the girls all promised silence.
It was quite q test to forget the
whole thing Immediately and be merry
and excited as when they started ous
and still not to admit what It was thai
made their cheeks and eyes so bright
There was a beautiful supper waiting
for them everything that cold and
hungry people like, and they did full
justice to it. Mrs. Strickland, in q
lovely gown, waited on them with hel
own hands and was most gracious and
charming to each and all
Then Miss Van Wyck played fol
them to dance and sing and then. as
the hours grew bigger and bigger, and
everyone felt that the time for parting
was at hand Miss Van Wyck and Iso-
bel closed all the parlor doors, lowered
the lights, and Miss Van Wyck said:
1--WE thought 1t would be fun to voice
some New Year resolutions Each one
Is to say what she really wants. not
. what shs 1atnaEs she ought to want. III