Evening star., 1933-12-31

marked danger and the spot where Ron
aid Sawyer standing on his skates.
~ No good she decided. IF I fell in
and yelled for help it would be my luck
to have some of my own pupils pull me out.
Ronny'd never sprint, even in an emergency;
he's too dignified."
She had mentally called the new chemistry
teacher Ronny ever since the first day of school,
though to his face she invariably said Mr.
SAWYER in as Indifferent a tone as she could
muster Let him see she crazy about him
like the seven other single high school teach
ers? Never!
Jane looked at the danger sign and shivered.
Br-r-r-r-r! The water would be too cold. She
might get pneumonia, and she could not risk
her job Hang shoe-skates anyway In her
mothers day girl could ask a man to please
tighten her strap.
Deliberately Jane knotted one of her shoe
1aees. Then she bided her time But she
couldn't bde forever; the stump on which
she was sitting was not getting any warmer;
besides. Ronny might skate nearer to the
She waited for the two Selden boys to glide
past, hoping they hadn't noticed her. They
hadn't; they were making for the hockey game
at the far end of the pond.
Anybody got kn1fe? called Jane.
THREE small girls skated in their ankles.
cluttering things up usual Maybe 1
can unite it," one offered.
mo you dont!" thought Jane. Anybody
got knife?"
Ah! The chemistry teacher had heard her.
He was turning-feeling in his pocket starting
toward her But suddenly half dozen high
schoolers sprang up around her. scraping the
ice beating Ronny in a mad rush to serve
their adored Miss Disney.
Tommy Iankin was already on his knees,
flashing Boy Scout knife.
81 you have found one Ronny said,
lifting his cap absurdy, considering the chilling
cold Then he backed out of the encircling
group and glided away.
Jane wished he'd fall into an air hole.
Didn't have to cut the string, Miss Disney.
It wasn't snarled much. Wil-would-
I'd love to skate with you"
Why wasn't Tommy grown up? He was a
4. nice kid She in for it now, she sup
posed Shed have to skate with all the boys
who weren't playing hockey. Was Ronny skat-
ing with the girls? Yes there he was in the
center of laughing crowd. Well it served
him right Or, maybe, he liked it!
Jane Steered her escort closer. Despite her
new sports togs her flaming scarf and saucy
skating cap to match she wasn't, she knew,
nearly SO beautiful many of those peaches
and-cream little chits, gigglng in their gay
corduroy ski suits. Whats brains-whats
SOIallCy-COulpaIeO 10 pretty 1ace!
why aren't you in that hockey game?"
"Aw, gee, Miss Disney, I'd rather skate with
you"
That's all right Tommy We've been round
the pond Go on in and help your side win"
Jane, free at last, but realizing the Selden
boys had started toward her, skated spang into
the group around Ronny.
EXCUSE it, pleased" she cried. "Gangway
for beginner" With wild flourish she lost
her balance practically in Sawyer's arms. The
impact threw the man off balance ana together
they landed on the ice amid chorus of merry
ha-has.
He'd hate her for making him ridicu-
lous. His mouth, Jane saw twitching
grimy. He found his feet. while the girls
pulled Jane to hers.
Suppose" Ronny said, eve try it together?"
He seized her firmly as if he expected her to
trip him up again any minute. The pupils fell
back in disappointed silence Jane could feel
their adolescent hatred as she bore away the il
prize. = "' .'--