The Somerset reporter., 1907-02-14
Bert sResCue.
BY JAMES CoNLEY.


Come on. Bert" urged Charlie
THE ice is bully just now. Come on
ahead"
Don't rub 1t in," pleaded Bert Ben.
than. This Is my punishment for
seeking to astonish the natives with a
frock coat and silk hat The train was
so late that no one beheld my glory
and as my trunk will not be here until
tomorrow I'm afraid that | shall have
to go without my skating"
but we're the same size" insisted
Charlie. Put on some of my buds"
Bentham WINGED. 1t was his quarrel
with nature that she had made him
but two inches taller than five feet
His little cousin was only thirteen yet.
| and, as he said, Bert could wear his
things. For a moment pride fought
with desire, and desire Won He had
always been passonately fond of the
ice. and it had been a couple of years
since he had enjoyed an opportunity
of skating This chance was too good
to be lost. 1t was beautiful night.
and the probabilities were that no one
would recognize him. He could slip
into the crowd and quickly lose him
! self.
Proceed he said, with mock trag
edy Il shall enjoy my second child
hood rather earlier than most men:
that is all
Half an hour later they were on t..
i river Already crowd had assem-
bled, for the moon was full and the ice
a perfect glare. Charles simple "My
cousin. fellows" was regarded as suf
i ficient Introduction, and presently Bert
was Swimming over tue ice with an
easy swing that betokened the expert
j enced skater.
f He shot straight up the river. speed
ing along with no thought of anything
save the enjoyment of the Swimming
motion, and it was half an hour before
he realized how far he had gone.
i Skating back against the wind was
q slower process, and by the time he
reached the ferry road again the ice
was crowded. He hunted up Charlie
and then contented himself with short.
er flights, though he kept away from
the most crowded part of the Ice. He
had been skating in artificial Kinks for
SO long that the broad stretch OF CLASSY
ice fascinated him. and he had no use
for the parties of skaters that chung in
groups
He had Just wheeled for "A trip up
the river when a tiny form shot past
him. and almost uncOnsciously he gave
chase Apparently she was mere
child, but her strong. graceful strokes
carried her along with speed that
tested his own qualities. and he skated
after her
Around the bend of the river the
sluceway from the cotton mill emptied
into the stream and for space the ice
was thin Bert had kept away from
this side OF the river after the discov-
cry, but now he was so intent upon his
chase that he did not realize that the
child was bearing dangerously in to-
ward shore until she gave little cry
ms she felt the ice crack under her feet.
Instead of keeping ahead she seemed
paralyzed with fright and dug her
could hear the new ice giving way as
the strain Of her weight continued. and
with a sudden swerve he dashed in to
ward her
He was powerfully built for his size.
and 1t was an easy matter to catch the
child up in his arms and carry her out
of the danger zone. As they swept
along he could feel the ice give und Ter
him. and the ominous crackle seemed
to follow him. Then the noise stopped
as he shot out on to the firm ice. and
he ceased skating. coming gradually to
halt
THAT was a risky thing to do" he
said sharply as he set her on her feet
Don't you know about the slulceY'
IT should have remembered" she
said as she chung tremblingly to him.
but / heard one of the boys coming
after me. and wanted to beat him.
forgot all about the danger"
II guess that's the last time you'll
forget this season." he said
~ should say So" she agreed 1T
was awfully good OF you to act so
quickly Who are your" she added as
he changed position 80 that the moon
shone on his face.
I'm Charlie Bentham's cousin" he
explained.
"Oh, yes" she smiled ~ remember
Mrs. Bentham telling us that Charlie
had little cousin coming to visit him.
You're a good boy. and I'm awfully
grateful to you"
She stood on tiptoe and kissed him
squarely on the lips. For a moment
Bert was too astonIshed to speak; then
he sped after her
Cant ] skate with your" he asked.
Lets skate up az far as the railroad
bridge"
Come ahead" she called as she put
out her hand. Bert grasped 1t, and
they glided Off. For a few minutes
nothing was said They skated togeth-
er as perfectly as though through long
practice. and they were almost at the
bridge.
You are a newcomer In Maridale7'
he asked. breaking the silence. 81