Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-02-27
MIR. PRIGMORE'S
ASSURANCE.
torIgInai.l


Ing along the coast OF Long Island.
There were Harry Moro, Marjorie Kent
end Guthrie Prigmcrc. There we're 4,
lot more. but these three are the only
ones who figure in this story. prig-
more was rich, domineering and one
OF those reckless men whose reckless
ness Is usually folly. With women he
counted for far more than lie was In
trinsically worth. Moro was modest
nnd, though cool, had very keen APP
probation OF danger especially of that
, attending ice bonting. Nevertheless he
was fond of sports, and of no sport
was he more fond than this same Gid
Ing over ice OH steel runners.
Prlgmore had Joined the party at the
Bnysde hotel, stranger TO most OF
them. He had not been there six
hours before every girl set her cap for
him. This didn't matter much for any
of the men except Morro who had
been attentive TO Miss Kent. and they
were supposed TO be Oh the eve of an
engagement When the party left the
hotel and went down to the ice boats
II was expected that each Of the men
would take out girl aud that Harry
MORO would take Marjorie Kent.
What did Prigmore do without consult
Ing preferences but hand Marjorie on
TO n boat and get oil himself. This as
surance was just what captured the
girls, and Marjorie couldn't help cast
Ing coquettlsh glance at her lover
us much MS TO shy, Isn't 1t nice TO be
preferred by this splendid fellow to all
the othersf" Harry looked anxious.
Have YOU ever run an ice boat, AIr.
Prlgmorei" lie asked
81 was born OH one" Prigmore re.
piled gayly. and. letting out the sail.
he started, rs he was bound TO do In
everything, TO lead the party, He
hadn't gone hundred yards, however.
before his sail jibcd, the boom just
grazing Aarjorlcs head.
'Thcre'll be trouble there" mutter-
ell one of the men. He doesn't know
how TO sail an ice boat"
Most of the couples stopped to watch
the favorlte. a strong wind was blow
Ing from across the bay. Prlgmorc
and Miss Kent were well out on the
leo when they were observed trying
very hard TO DO something, but what
WIS not apparent.
Great heavens" exclaimed Moro.
pnliDg. "the sheets fouled the tiler.
He can't bring her up into tile wind"
On the opposite shore the breakers
Ind broken up the ice and were rolling
in on the sand. Ii the occupants Of
the ice boat failed to release the sheet,
they could not bring the boat up into
the wind and they would so over the
edge of the hard ice aud be pounded
with the broken pieces OH the beach.
But with the wind pulling on the sail
they were not likely to get 1t back
to disengage the sheet. MORO jumped
into an Ice boat ana started after them.
Now began Il rice between life and
death. Moro was an expert Ice boat
man aud knew how to get the best
speed out OF his boat. He was watch.
cd anxiously by the party on the shore.
who kept the chased boat in view as
we'll. From the start he gained, but
could lie cntch thu couple before they
shot over the edge of hard ice? The
only advantage lie had was that their
efforts somewhat retarded the speed
OF their bont
In time Moro got within ii hundred
feet OF them, they being within some
SEQ feet OF the breaIers, both boats
going Mt n terrific speed. The sight
before them was awful. The breakers
tcc-cd in. throwing up the anchor ice.
dashing 1t down. then sucking 1t un.
der the foe for another break
Tho party on the opposite shore stood
looking on in CHASTITY silence. Nearer
and nearer Moro approached the yacht
lie chased. and at last they could see
him. MS they supposed. fouled with It.
Then tho two boats began to spread
apart, the sheet OF Morro's being eased
of and making a sharp turn in which
only n considerable weight over the
raised skate kept the boat from going
over.
MORO had steered his yacht along
side of the other Prigmore, without
waiting for Marjorie TO save herself,
made o jump and caught projection
on Morro's boat Moro reached for
Marjorie and drew her safely over tho
gap. Then directing her and Prlgmore
to get on the wlndward side. he spun
his boat around sharply and put her
before the wind. a crack In the leo
like n pistol shot beneath the runners
made every heart stand still, but tho
Roadway saved them. and in ten sec
onds more they were out of danger.
The sight of the abandoned yacht
shooting over into the broken ice and
pounded with it gave them shudder.
and they drew deep sigh of relief
Sailing before a fresh wind. IL was
not long before saver and saved ap-
preached the party standing on the
ehore, who gave one yell of welcome.
the mon throwing up their hnis. the