The Topeka state journal., 1916-09-28

boys face when she told him. He
had come home whistling the night of
the dance, had stayed to dinner at one
of the boys rooms over a chafing-dish
spread. and started up the stairs three
steps at a time to dress when she
spoke to him.
II thought it best to try and make
her understand how unpleasant the
other girls might make it for her if
she went she concluded. Now, don't
be foolish, Everitt-''
Foolish, he laughed shortly
Aunt Betsy, she's going to skate five
miles down the river to the Davises,
and every student has been warned
against skating on account of the
danger There isn't a soul to hear her
after her. You'd better tell Uncle
Felix, and let him try and get some
help out after us. Wen need it,
He caught his skates and boots from
the hall seat box and was gone before
she realized it. 1t seemed miles even
to the river. He took the short cut
over the hill, put on his boots. and
struck out along the shore where the
ice seemed thickest.
Pines and oaks lined the hills
around. In the moonlight the dried
leathery leaves on the latter looked
like fresh foliage he thought. A
young moon SKINNED the sky low to
the south. Back in the town he heard
the frat call from some of the boys
as they went on to the dance. But be-
fore him stretched the ice-covered
river like a curving silver road un-
winding before him, and no sign of
Winifred. AS he left the town far
behind he began to call her name, the
pet name Betty gave her:
win, Oh VIM
And finally he saw her ahead. we'll
out in midstream, skating leisurely
with the long, steady glide she had
He caught up with her, thanking
heaven she was safe. She turned her
head and smiled back at him just as
the ice cracked under his feet. and he
saw the black water surge up between.
Don't some near!" he shouted to
her. but she had already swerved to
meet him, and as the gret sheet of
ice bent down she went with it ahead
of him.
The weight of his skates and heavy
boots hampered him. The sting of
| the ice-co1d water lef him numb with
shock, but he belt bottom under his
feet. The water only came to his
chest. And he knew Winifred was at
least six inches shorter than himself.
But she had kept her balance going
down and was standing. too, lifting
her chin high from the water.
Reach out your hand he called
to her, feeling along the bottom with
his feet cautiously. 1t did seem to
take away the horror when their
hands touched and gripped closely.
Her teeth chartered, but she was
plucky all thru. The ice broke under
his touch when he tried to rest any
weight upon it. And the strangest
thing happened. They were close now,
side by side. not knowing how long
they could stand the strain, and Wini-
fred's face was near. Without one
word of love or questioning, Everett
bent and kissed her. Somehow it
didn't seem like a kiss of matehood.
There was something tender and
sacred in it, just the acknowledge
ment of all the other knew.
Hello, heflo, therei" came a shout
from the shore road and the hum of
a motor Two lights swung into view
Are you in ?'' called the professor
Yes, sir, right over here" Everett
called back.
There were six of the fellows in the
car, with ropes and couple of
couple of planks. He lifted Winifred
up first on the plank and showed it
got her. then climbed up himself, the
rope under his armpits while they
held him steady.
An hour afterward Mrs Ramsey
stole upstairs al gain to see if Wfnifreo
was all right She lay wrapped in
fire in the best bedroom, a guest of
honor, and over her leaned Everitt.
We were just planning, Aunt
Betsy" he said, happily, how Win
can finish her course even after We're
married. Aren't you glad for me -
Glad, dear" Mrs Ramsey sighed.
as she patted the brown braids lying
on the pillow I think you're a very
lucky. .boy."-(Copyright. 1916 by the
Mcclure Newspaper syndicate-)
Three deposits of coal in Hayti have
been investigated by French engineers and