The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1906-08-30
HE WAS LOOKING STRAIGHT AHEAD, AND
IN THE DUSK HE PASSED HER.

HE WAS LOOKING STRAIGHT AHEAD, AND
IL THE DUSK HE PASSED HER.
had given back his ring and he had
gone OFF in dudgcou, leaving her with
the afternoon on her hands They had
planned to skate to Rivcrdale, five
miles up the river; have supper there
and skate back by moonlight Now it
was all spoiled and she must skate
alone.
She was fond of the ice, and the
swift motion and the braclng air soon
put her in a more pleasant frame of
mind. Perhaps she had been hasty in
giving bacl; the ring, but then it is not
every day that one is elected the presi-
dent of the literary club, and he might
ut least have congratulated her upon
her victory over Nettie Doran.
She had been so engrossed with her
thoughts that it was with surprise that
she found she had entered the cut"
more than two miles from the landing.
Here the river ran between steep bluffs
for three-quarters of mile, and she
shuddered Il little as she glanced at the
cliffs on either side. She never had
noticed it before but now they seemed
so black and forbidding.
She was still Sancing up as her skate
struck a bit of wood frozen into the
ice and with cry she sank to the
CLASSY surface. She struggled to her
feet but with another little moan She
sank to one knee; she had sprained her
left ankle
Several times she essayed TO rise, but
each time her ankle hurt her more, and
finally she desisted and crept on hands
and knees to the bank. Perhaps some
of the others would take it into their
heads to skate up and they would give
her help If no one came she would
try to creep back after she had rested
But after an hour she gave up hope
of help coming She was so numb she
could scarcely move. she began to cry
softly. If 5ile could not get to the
lower end Of the cut, where she might
attract attention of some one on shore,
she might freeze to death.
With infinite labor she crawcd few
feet bur she had to give up and sit
down again. Perhaps they might miss
her al the landing ana remember that
she had gone up the river They would
send ont a searching party for her. 1t
might be an hour or more before she
could hope for help but the idea
brought her some comfort, though it
did not check the flow of tears,
Then her quick ear caught the vel
come sound Of the ring of steel on the
hard Ice ana she tried to struggle to
her feet
Around the bend above Tom Runyon
came with powerful strokes, He was
looking straight ahead, and in the dusk
he passed her. Before she could gain
the courage to call TO him he stopped
suddenly and turned. In a flash he
was at her side. kneelng before hor.
Whats the matter, dearF he asked.
"Are you hurt?"
I've sprained my ankle" she sobbed,
land I'm tired and cold and hungry.
and 1t hurts an awful lot. Ira so mis-
erable"
How long have you been hereY" he
asked.
AibAiof aiit AlbhAANhs AN oNNiho iAN
days, and It's so black and lonesome.
"Poor little girl" he said tenderly.
'I'll soon have you out OF it. I'll skate
down to the landing and borrow
sled"
She grasped his coat in terror. Don't
leave mer she pleaded. II think
would go crazyp'
1T would take only ten minutes or
co." he argued. but she kept conyui-
siye hold upon his coat. Presently an
idea struck him.
Can you stand on your other rootr
he asked. "Will IL bear your weight"
For answer she put out her hands,
and he helped her to rise. She WINGED
as the lame foot struck the ice, but she
smiled braYeiy.
Il think / can" she said.
Tom dropped on one knee and start
ed 10 unfastea the skate on the injured
foot The ankle was SO swollen that
he had 10 cut the strap through, but
presently he rose aud grasped her
Aands.