The Press., 1907-05-08

along he could feel the ice give under 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 sluiceY
 q should have remembered" she said as she clung tremblingly to him, ''but I heard one of the boys coming after me, and wanted to beat him. I forgot all about the danger"
 "I guess that's the last time you'll forget this season." he said.
 "I should say so," she agreed. 'It was awfully good of you to act so quickly. Who are youT she added as he changed position so that the moon Shone on his face.
 "I'm Charlie Bentham's cousin" he explained.
 "Oh, yes," she smiled. "I remember Mrs. Bentham telling us that Charlie had a little cousin coming to visit him. You're a good boy. and Pm awfully grateful to you"
 She stood on tiptoe and kissed him squarely on the lips. For moment Bert was too astonished to speak; then he sped after her.
 Cant I skate with you?" he asked. Let's skate up as far as the railroad bridge"
 Come ahead" she called as she put out her hand. Bert grasped 1t. and they glided of. For a few minutes nothing was said. They skated togeth- CT as perfectly as though through long practice, and they were almost at the bridge.
 ''You are newcomer in Maridale2" he asked, breaking the silence. T don't think remember you"
 "We moved here two years ago." she explained.
 "That's it." he declared. 'T pride my self on my memory for faces. I have not been able to get up here for couple of years. My business has kept me pretty close to town"
 "Your business?" she echoed, losing her stride and stopping. ''Why, Mr& Bentham said you were the same age as Charliev'
 That's Ned Collins," he explained. Ned's coming down for the holidays. I'm Bert Bentham."
 But she began, with a glance at his clothes.
 q. see," he laughed. "You thought I was a boy because I was wearing one of Charlie's suits You see, got foolish idea that it would be funny to come down all logged out. When Charlie said skating I realized that a frock coat was scarcely skating cos tune, so I put on one of his suits. guess I look pretty much like Charlie. That's the worst of being so short"
 And you let me kiss you." she re preached.
 That's all right" he smiled. "Tve had little girls kiss me before, you know"
 "But I'm not''- she began. Bert started.
 You don't mean to tell me that you''- he gasped.
 'T'm nineteen" she said, her eyes filling with tears There's nothing to laugh about" she added as Bert shout ed. "You let me kiss you, and it was real mean"
 Ut was real nice," he contradicted, ''and didn't let you. You kissed me before I knew you were going to-"
 And now every one will laugh at me-" she sobbed.
 "The laugh is as much on me as 1t Is on you," he reminded. "I don't think Pm any too anxious to be laughed at."
 And you won't tell?" she demanded, her sobs growing less violent.
 Never" he promised, mot if you kiss me a thousand times. But I thought surely you were child" he said, glancing at her short skirt.
 "I have my dresses all made long, so that look taller" she explained, 'but they are awfully in the way when skate, so borrowed one from my sis ter"
 II guess it's a standoff," he declared. eve fooled each other and ourselves. But we haven't reached the bridge yet"
 He held out his hand, and she slipped hers into it. Somehow the sense of a secret between them gave her feel ing of security, and her embarrassment soon wore off. Before they turned she was chatting away as though he had known her all his life.
 They were on the ice again the next morning, and Bert went home slave to her charms. Alice Vinton was the first woman he had ever seriously cared for, and he made such an active court ship that on the last night of his stay, as they turned at the railroad bridge, which marked the limit of their prog ress, he held her hand for an instant
 "I'm going home tomorrow he said, land I want to take back with me your promise that may come for you in the spring. Will you promise, dearY
 For answer she reached up and kiss ed him as she had done on the night of their meeting. But this time there was no mistake of identity.