The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-07-17

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would 10 crnzyf'
1T would take only ten minutes or
so.' he argued. but she kept q convul.
aIyo bold upon his coat Presently a.
idea struck him.
Can you stand on your other footY'
he asked, "yili II bear your weightT'
For answer she put out her hands,
and he helped her TO rise. She WINGED
AZ tho LATHE foot struck the Ice. but she
smiled braycly.
II think I caD,' she said.
Tom dropped on one knee and start.
cd 10 unfastcn the skate on the injured
foot. Tho ankle was 40 swollen that
he had to. cut the strap through. but
presently be rose and grasped her
hands.
''Now keep the foot up he com.
manded, "and lot mo tow you"
II was d little awkward nj FIRST. They
skatod together nicely, but now she
could not take stroke, merely sliding
along upon the single runner and lean
Ing heavily against him for support.
Under his coaching she soon caught
the idea, ana presently they were
swinging nlong nj good pace.
The injured foot ached with the mo
ton and weight Of the boot, but II was
comforting 10 feel Toms strong hand
clasp and 10 lean against his shoulder
an they sped along.
Somehow she had never realized
what strong man he was until she
felt herself being carried along almost
without an effort. II was less than ten
minutes before they came in sight OF
the town AZ they turned the Inst curve,
''Iooks kind Of good. doesn't itT' be
laughed m she gave cry Of delight
II thought | never should see Il
again." she confessed. II had almost
given up hope"
"Lncky thing I had to 20 10 River
dale" he commented Il had given M
the idea, but Johnson took me up In
HIS rig TO look at horse he wants 10
sell me. and | took my skates along"
"I'm glad II was you" she murmured
Are your" he asked IN surprise. u
thought you would have had alnos,
any one else rescue you"
II did feel that way for q moment,
she confessed. "when | FIRST saw II
was you. wonder why you turned
around"
Something seemed to stop me-" h'
explained. 1T was a funny sort ol
feeling. I just seemed TO see you be
bind me. and | had to turn around q
make certain, II seemed almost as Il
a great hand made me stop"
II think II was fate" she said softly
"Maybc | sort OF half saw you and
was not conscious OF II until I had
passed you." he suggested.
II would rather believe II was fate.
she persisted.
80 would l." he said soberly. Here's
tho landing"
The crowd had left the Ice and had
gona home 10 supper. There were nc
sleds around. SO he slipped OF BIZ
skates and caught her up In bis arms.
"It's only couple Of blocks" b
said. well yet home more quickly
this way"
She did not make any comment unit
he had carried her into the house and
had bestowed her comfortably upor
the sofa. As he turned to go she spoke
his nama softly. He turned back.
"Will you be over after tear She
asked.
Surely" he answered. II shall want
to know how you are getting along"
'Will you bring the ring" she whls
pered.
II have II right herer' he cried oui
eagerly.
For answer she stretched out he,
hand. and he slipped II on.
This makes me think Of the only
Browning l know" he laughed. IRE
member:
There's time In the lives Of mos
women and men
When all would 80 smooth and even
II only the dead knew when
To come back and bs forgiven"
IT forgave you long before that" sha
whispered. II care more for you thar
~ N.