Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-02-09

The [ now. Come on
ahead"
Don't rub il :. ieaded Bert Ben.
than. This is Liy punishment for
seeking to astonish the natives with a
frOck coat and silk hat The train was
so late that no one sbeheld my glory,
and as my trunk wi not be here until
tomorrow I'm afraid that l shall have
to so without my skating"
''But we're the same size" insisted
Charlie Put on some of my duds.''
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 passiOnately 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 a 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. I shall enjoy my second child
hood rather earlier than most men;
that is all"
Half an hour later they were on the
river Already a crowd had assem-
bled, for the moon was full and the ice
a perfect glare. Charles simple MY
cousin, fellows was regarded as suf-
fieient introduction, and presently Bert
was skimming over the ice with an
easy swing that betokened 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 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
sluiceway from the cotton mill emptied
into the stream. and for a 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 a little cry
as she felt the ice crack under her feet.
Instead Of keeping ahead she seemed
paralyzed with fright and dug her
skates into the ice to stop herself He
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.
BE was powerfully built for his size,
and it 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 tie ominous crackle seemed
to follow him. Then the noise stopped
4
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 sluice?'
81 should have remembered" she
said as she chung tremblingly to him,
but | heard one of the boys coming
after me, and l wanted TO beat him. |
forgot all about the danger"
Il guess that's the last time you'll
forget this season. he said.
81 should say So" she agreed. 1T
was awfully good of you TO aSt so
quickly. Who are you?" 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 good boy. and I'm awfully
grateful TO you"
She stood Oh tiptoe and kissed him
sQuarely on the lips. For a moment
Bert was too astonished to speak; then
ne sped after her.
cant I skate with your" he asked.
Lets skate up as far rs the railroad
bridge"
Come ahead she called as she put
out her hand Bert grasped it. and
they glided of For a few minutes
nothing was said. They skated togeth-
er as perfectly as though through long
practice, and they We're almost at the
W.wal