The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1911-03-11
An Ice Maiden
By VIRGINIA BLAIR



swered her in mouosyllables. Thus
they sat until. at ten, there was lit
tie cry from the floor above.
1T Is Dottie," Penelope said breath
lessly, and ran up the stairs.
Dottie's mother had provided and
had hoped for the climax that would
come with Penelope getting the drink
of water with her brooding tender
ness and its effect on Danford. but
she had not dreamed that Penelope
would find q feverish. whimpering
baby who was not quieted by the
drink Of water, but who moaned In
pain.
"Oh, Ia afraid she's ILL.," Penelope
said, and bending over Dottie took
her IN her arms. II wonder what we
should do?"
The next half hour was the fight
Of inexperience. Neither Penelope nor
Danford knew anything about such
simple emergencies, and at last Dan
ford telephone for the doctor. He
came back to find Penelope walking
the floor with the baby held close. her
cool cheek against the hot one Of the
child.
"Oh. the darling. DEAR" she said. Il
wish could help her."
Danford looked at her as she stood
there with the child Graded in her
arms. She was no longer the ice
maiden; she was the embodiment OF
sweetness and of tenderness.
The doctor came at last,and with
him hope. That which had seemed to
them so tragic was to him but an in
cident
She'll be all right presently" he
said. Such attacks are short but
+, sharp"
An hour later the baby was sleep
ing comfortably. and then Roy said
to Penelope, Let's 90 down and have
cup of coffee. saw that Mrs.
Stanford had left things ready when
was down in the kitchen heating wa
ter for the baby. You need bracing
up"
With last look at the baby. Pencil
ope went with him, and In the kitch-
en- and again in the dining room.
swathed in big blue apron. she
seemed me spirit of domesticity.
When he had seen her at dances and
at dinners, radiant and beautiful.
Danford. had not dreamed that she
could do the little things. the house
| wifely things at which she was now
proving herself an expert
They had their little feast together
The at one end of the table and she
at the other.
And l used to call you the ice
maiden" he murmured
She flashed a glance across at him.
why did you call me that?"
because you were so cold"
He rose and stood beside her. DO
you remember the fairy story we
used to read together when we were
children? l do not remember all Of
1t, but there was cruel, cold creature
In It, and always shivered when
read 1t. You have made me feel like
that until tonight. I've never dared
approach you. although I've loved
you"
III you had said that long ago." he'll
voice was low, Il would not have
seemed cold. II was you who had
changed from the boy l used "a
know. and l thought that you had
changed toward me-"
He drew his chair around the t.
BILE and sat down beside her. Il DOM
want even the light Of the candle b
tween US. I don't want your face II
change back to coldness. as l am hal
afraid It WILL"
II Never again. for you," she said
but as he bent toward her there wal
, q sound Of an auto horn outside
steps on the Icy pavement. and Ike!
In the door.
Mrs. Stanford, entering. took II
the situation radiantly
How nice and warm 1t t." sh'
said. and smiled knowingly at Dan
. ford.
Il He came over and took her hand
In his. IAN the ice is melted" b
told her.