The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-07-31


IN THE DUSK HE PASSED HER.
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 Riverdale five
miles up the river; have supper there
and skate back by moonlight. Now 1t
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 presi-
dent Of the literary club, and he might
at least have congratulated her upon
her victory over Nettie Doran.
She had been so engrossed with her
thoughts that 1t was with surprise that
more than two miles from the landing.
Here the river ran between steep bluffs
for three-quarters of a mile, and she
shuddered little as she glanced at the
cliffs on either side. She never had
noticed 1t before, but now they seemed
SO black and forbidding.
She was still glancing 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 1t 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 remember that
she had gone up the river They would
send out 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 1t
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 and 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 fash he
was at her side, kneeling before her.
whats the matter, dear?" he asked.
"Are you hurt?"
I've sprained my ankle" she sobbed,
"and I'm tired and cold and hungry,
and it hurts an awful lot Pm SO mis-
cradle"
How long have you been here?" he
asked.
Hours" she moaned. "It seems like
days, and It's so black and lonesome. ="
Poor little girlr' he said tenderly.
''Tll soon have you out Of it. I'll skate
down to the landing and borrow a
sled"
She grasped his coat in terror "Don's
leave mev' she pleaded. 81 think 1
would go crazyr'
1T would take only ten minutes or
So" he argued. but she kept a convul-
sive hold upon his coat. Presently an
idea struck him.
Can you stand on your other footT
he asked. "Will it 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 bravely.
Il think / can," she said.
Tom dropped on one knee and start
ed to unfasten the skate on the injured
foot. The ankle was so swollen that
he had to cut the strap through, but
presently he rose and grasped her
lands.
Now keep the foot up" he COM
manded, "and let me tow you''
1t was 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 coaching she soon caught
the idea, and presently they were
swinging along at good pace.
The injured foot ached with the mo-
ton and weight of the boot, but 1t was
comforting to feel Toms strong hand
clasp and to lean against his shoulder
as they sped along.
Somehow she had never realized
what a strong man he was until she
felt herself being carried along almost
without an effort. 1t 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 it?" he
laughed as she gave cry of delight.
81 thought / never should see it
again." she confessed. II had almost
given up hope"
Lucky thing l had to go to River
dale" he commented. ST had given up
the idea, but Johnson took me up in
his rig to look at a horse he wants to