Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1907-06-07
Bert'sReSCue'
BY JAMES cONLEY.

OOOOOSO@O~O~OO OOoO~O@OeOoO
"Come on, Bert" urged Charlie.
''The Ice is bully just now. Come on
ahead" HM aia
"Don't rub 1t In" pleaded Bert Ben.
than. This Is my punishment for
seeking to astonish tho natives with q
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 I shall have
to 90 without my skating"
"Dut 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 I've feet.
His little cousin was only thirteen yet.
and, as no said, Bert could wear his
things. For moment pride fought
with desire, and desire won. He had
always been passionately fond Of the
ice, and 1t had been couple Of years
since he had enjoyed an opportunity
Of skating. This chance was too good
to be lost. It was beautiful night,
and the probabilities were that no one
would recognize him. He could slip
into tho crowd and quickly lose HIM
self.
Proceed" no said, with mock trag-
edy. II shall enjoy my second child
hood rather earlier than most menI
that In all"
Half an hour later they were on the
river Already n crowd had assem-
bied, for the moon was full and tho Ice
a perfect glare. Charles simple my
cousin, fellows" was regarded as suf-
ficient introduction, and presently Bort
was Swimming over the Ice with an
easy swing that betolKenad the expert
enced skater.
He shot straight up the river, speed
ing along with no thought Of anything
save the enjoyment Of the skimming
motion, and It was half an hour before
he realized how far he had gone.
Skating back against tho 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
or flights, though he kept away from
tho most crowded part Of the Ice. He
had been skating In artificial Kinks for
so long that tho broad stretch Of CLASSY
Ice fascinated him, and he had no uso
for the parties Of skaters that chung In
groups.
He had just wheeled for trip up
tho river when tiny form shot past
him, and almost unconsciously he gave
chnse Apparently she was mere
child, but her strong, graceful strokes
carried her along with q speed that
tested his own qualities. md no skated
after her.
Around the bend Of the river the
slulcoway from tho cotton mill emptled
into the stream, and for space the leo
was thin. Bert had kept away from
this side of tho river after the discov-
cry, but now no was 30 intent upon his
chase that he did not realize that tho
child was bearing dangerously in to-
ward shore until she gave little cry
as she felt tho leo crack under her feet,
Instead OF keeping ahead sho seemed
paralyzed with fright and dug her
skates into the ice to stop horself. He
could hear the now Ice giving way as
the strain Of her weight continued, and
with 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 under
him, and the omlnous crackle seemed
to follow him. Then tho noise stopped
an he shot out on to tho firm Ice, and
he ceased skating, coming gradually to
halt
'"That was risky thing to do" no
said sharply MS no set har on her feet.
Don't you know about tho sluiceT
II should have remembered" she
said M she chung trembllngly to him,
"but heard one Of the boys coming
after mo, and wanted to beat him. I
forgot all about the danger" f
81 guess that's tho last time you'll
forget this season," no said.
~ should say So" she agreed. "It
was awfully good of you to act 80
quickly. Who are your she added as
he changed position 80 that tho moon
shone on his face.
I'm Charlie Bentham's cousin" he
explained.
"Oh, yes" she smiled. II remember
Mrs Bentham telling us that Charlie
had little cousin coming to visit him.
You're good boy, and I'm awfully
grateful to you"
She stood on tiptoe and kissed him
squaroly on the lips. For moment
Bert was too astonished to speak; then
he sped aftor her.
Cant skate with your he asked.
Let's skate up M far ms the railroad
bridge"
Come ahead" she called as she put
out her hand Bert grasped 1t, and
they glided Off. For q fow minutes
nothing was said. They skated togcth
or az perfectly as though through long
o,.Af~ - A.