The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-04-20
THE EVENING yT0RY
When AIxra Forgaxe.

IN the crowd about the boat LANDING
Afyra struck out with long. powerful
strokes up the river.
She was in no mood for company. She
wanted to be alone and think things
over. It is a serious thing when a girl
gives back her first engagement ring
and informs the donor that she never
wants to see him again. That expert
ence had come to Myra that afternoon.
It had all been ridiculously foolish.
Tom had scoffed at her for having
Joined the Browning club, declaring
Browning to be q prize puzzIer and not
a poet. She had taken offense and they
had had their first quarrel. She had
given back his ring and he had gone
off in dudgeon, leaving her with the
afternoon on her hands. They had
planned to skate to Riverside, 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 bracing air soon put
her in a more pleasant frame of mind
Perhaps she had been hasty in giving
back the ring. but then it is not every
day that one is elected the president OF
a literary club, and he might at least
have congratulated her upon her vic
tory over Nettie Doran.
She had been so engrOSsed with ner
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 a mile. and she
shuddered a 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 glancing up as her
skate struck bit of wood frozen into
the ice, and with a cry she sank to the
CLASSY surface. She struggled to her
feet, but with another little moan she
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 she 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 crawled a
few feet, but she had to give up and
sit down again. Perhaps they might
miss her at the landing and remem Der
that she had gone up the river. They
would send out a searching party for
her. It might be an hour or more be-
fore she could hope for help but the
idea brought her some comfort
though it did not check the flow of
tears.
Then her quick ears caught the well
come sound of the ring of steel on the
hard ice and she tried to struggle to
her feet
Around the bend above. Tom Run
yon came with powerful strokes He
was looking straight ahead. and in the
Re- Oh i
gain the courage to call to him he stop
| ped suddenly and turned In fash
ne was at her side, kneeling before
w, What's the matter. dear?" he
I've sprained my ankle" she sob
bed, and I'm tired and cold and hung
ry. and It hurts an awful lot. I'm SO
How long have you been here?'' he
Hours she moaned. TT seems like
days and it's SO black and lonesome .
Poor little girl he said tenderly.
III soon have you out of it. I'll skate
sled"
She grasped his coat in terror. Don't
leave me- she pleaded. It think I
would go crazy"
Tt would take only ten minutes or
so. he argued, but she kept a con-
vulsive hold upon his coat Presently
an idea struck him.
"Can you stand on your other foot %
/ he asked ''Will it bear your weight p
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 bravely.
Il think I can she said.
Tom dropped on one knee and start
ed to unfasten the skate on the injur-
| ed foot. The ankle was so swollen that
| he had to cut the strap through. but
presently he rose and grasped her
hands.
manded land let me tow you
1t was a little awkward at first They
skated together nicely but now she
could not take a stroke. merely sliding
along upon the single runner and lean
/ ing heavily against him for support
Under his COUGHING she soon caught
1 the idea, and presently they were
were swinging along at a good pace.
The injured foot ached with the mo-
/ ton and weight of the boot but it
handclasp and to lean against his
| shoulder as they sped along.
Somehow she had never realized what
| a strong man he was until she felt her
self being carried along almost without
an effort. It was less than ten minutes
before they came in sight of the town
as they turned the last curve.
Looks kind Of good, DOESN'T it2' he
laughed. as she gave a cry Of delight.
II thought I never should see It
again." she confessed. I had almost
given up hope"
Lucky thing had to go to River
dale he commented. ''I had given up
the idea, but Johnson took me up in his
rig to look at a horse he wants to sell
me, and I took my skates along
I'm glad it was you" she murmured.
Are you?" he asked in surprise. II
thought you would have had almost any
one else rescue you"
7 did feel that way for a moment, :"
she confessed. when I first saw 1t was
you. 1 wonder why you turned around"
Something seemed to stop me-" he
explained cit was a funny sort of feel
ing. I just seemed to see you behind
me. and I had to turn around to make
certain. It seemed almost as If great