The Cairo bulletin., 1912-02-24
-. VI
/ Disiillusioning
-
st@,sas'sas
Carson {.

sank TO the snow covered pavement.
Beneath the fresh fallen snow was an
cy patch, and her ankle had turned
under her.
She had been detained at the office
rather late and the street was desert.
cd. Even the policeman on beat had
sought shelter from the storm.
She made an effort TO rise, but sank
back helplessly as she placed a
strain on the injured ankle and she be-
gan to cry softly. For perhaps ten
minutes she lay there, then from
around the corner came muffled form
and she gave glad little cry that at
tract attention.
whats the matter?' called CHEEKY
voice. "Had slip."
Il lRve sprained my ankle she ex'
planned. Il can't get up and it began
to look as though | should have to
spend the night here
81 guess not" was the cheerful
response. Five far from here?"
-Four blocks down and one over"
"Not worth while calling a cab" he
commented, as he took quick glance
around. 81 don't think we could get a
cab If / telephoned for one. This
seems to be the proper caper."
In nearby basement some boy had
left his sled and the man caught it
up This will do finely" he an
nounced. "I'll have you down there
in no time at all"
Gently he raised her in his strong
arms and disposed her comfortably
on the sled. Then he grasped the
ropes and started off at brisk trot.
TT reminds me Of the times when
/ used to draw my sweetheart to
school on my Sled" he called over his
shoulder. Ever live in the coun-
try?"
Long ago" she answered. 1T
seems ages"
"Then / guess this makes you young
again, too."
That's polite she replied with a
laugh.
q didn't mean that" he stammered
81 meant 1t would make you kid
again, ! didn't suppose that you were
an old lady, though with that brown
veil, you might be my own grand
mother"
Thank you again" she cried.
~ guess l won't say anything more"
he chuckled. perhaps | wasn't built
to pay compliments. Is this where
your turn"
ITO the right"
Fright it is" and the sled swung
around the corner. Presently, at her
word, he drew up in front of house
and again he lifted her in his strong
arms. The ankle hurt terribly, but
there was something comforting in
the sense OF his strength.
It was only a moment before his
ring was answered and as the door
swung open and the yellow light
streamed out, Mrs. Donaldson gave
cry Of surprise
why, Ned Carson, what are you
doing here?"
i've bundle marked damaged In
transit" he explained, Smilingly, "but
| did not know that it was for you. Is
it Alice"
Certainly, the poor child. Take her
in the parlor and Ill be right along
with hot water and bandages."
Carson carried the girl into the par
lor and deposited her carefully upon
the sofa.
II never thought" he said soft
", when ! spoke of carrying my
sweetheart to school, that it was my
real one-time sweetheart that I was
talking to-
Alice colored wildly. She remem-
be,ed those old days, and how they
hat plghted their childish trotb. Ned
had gons away and they had lost
sight Of each other What would he
gay when he heard of her engage
ment?
"I'll run away with that borrowed
sled before the police get after me-"
he announced briskly. "Then I'll
bs back to see IL can be Of any
use"
Alice heard the front door close and
settled weakly back upon the pillow.
1t seemed cruel, just as he had found
her again and just when circumstances
recalled their childhood, that she
should repay his kindness with dlsillu-
sIonrncnt. She had been genuinely
fond o. Ned in the old days, and she
hated to give him pain. Yet II was
best that she should tell him frank
ly. II was generous cruelty.
Presently he came stamping back to
announce that he had caught the small
boy just going for policeman, and
that he had compromised for a
quarter.
His coed hulnor was infectious, and
Alice found herself forgetting her pain
In listening to his recital Of his expe-
riences In getting ahead. He was
so frankly proud Of his, success that
it seemed o shame to dispel the new
ly-awakened romance by word, yet
she nerved herself to the task.
Il have a surprise for you," she be-
gan. after all this talk Of old times,
doesn't 1t seem funny to hear that I'm
engaged, I'm going TO be married In
the spring"
She shrank back against the pillows,
awaiting the look of disappointment
che feared Ned'g face lighted with