Evening star., 1933-12-31

appear the least Dlt-WnO was LIlaL putting OH
his skates by her stump?
Jane began doing great figure eights-for-
ward and backward Great sweeping strokes,
she took, now one foot held slightly of the
ice, now long swirl on the other. The man,
she was aware, was not watching her. Gracefully
she sped in his direction.
Heavens! Ronny Sawyeri So he came out
skating early in the mornings just to avoid
her! With sharp turn she headed toward
the north end of the pond. She wouldn't get
in his way. Not she!
The other teachers could have him. And
all the silly little sophomores too since they
were so crazy about him. Jane guessed she
had got along by herself for "a years and
could go right on doing it. Besides. he didn't
know that she had seen him. Let him do the
chasing II he wanted to.
Vaguely she could hear him calling after her
but she wouldn't turn around 1t sounded to
her strained ears like, Wait - stop!"
Well why should she? : ~ for him!
From halfway glance over her shoulder
rapidly Jane increased her now awkward
stride. She had passed two air holes and was
headed for the third when Ronny's voice came
distinctly, Don't go out there! Wait, Miss
Disney. 1t isn't safe!'
Safe? The scarecrow! She guessed she
knew enough to keep out of-Jane glanced
over her shoulder again. "oh, good morning
Mr. Sawyer. There's nothing to be afraid Of
It's perfectly
At that instant Jane disappeared under the
ice The glance had done 1.-THE glance and
her own distracted thoughts. AS the icy water
closed around her and she sank down, down,
she flung up 1t seemed eternity
before she felt an iron hand grasp her wrist,
and finally drag her up for air.
Don't fightl Do what tell you-' Ronny's
eyes were staring down at her. He was lying
fiat on the ice, Jane could see, every muscle
taut Can you cling to that danger sign
it's safely imbedded if you don't thrash around
too much-while find board?"
NO Don't leave me! Just pull me up"
Jane pleaded.
I'll try, Jane. But if the ice breaks!"
Let it break-hed called her Jane! He'd
bothered to find out her first name
Don't risk yourself, Ronny. Let me drown"
"Darling" With a mighty heave he tried
to draw her from the water, but it was no
use. for the ice began to crumble. He kissed
her quickly on her wet lips. Hold on, darling.
I've got to get the board"
Jane held on. He had called her darling,
and the pleasant shock of that was over
whelming that she might well have let go and
not cared. But on top Of that he had kissed
herl 1t was unbelievable. Of course, but he had
kissed her, just the same and SO Jane held on
and waited. She could have held on forever,
she thought watching him hurry across the ice,
after that kiss.
DUT she didn't have to hold on forever.
- Ronny, grim-faced and purposeful, was
back almost Immediately. One Of the long
boards, handy for this very purpose and left
at intervals along the ponds edge by oonser-
vative playground committee which had had
plenty of experience made the final act of
cue q comparatively simple matter.
"Wh-wh-why did you k-k-kiss me?" chat
tered Jane clinging to Ronny's arm as he led
her of the pond, dripping in his mackinaw 1t
was not a reasonable question at ALL so perhaps
Ronny was not reasonable in his answer
ITO make you mad" he said shortly. $50
you'd hold on"
"D-did you call me darling to make me
ma-a-ad, t-t-too?" Jane persisted
WELL" said Ronny, fastening her tagging
steps, "it did make you mad, didn't it?"
YOU'RE making me mad right now," chartered
Jane, and he could not make out whether she
furious not, for it's hard to be furious
and show it when you're soaked with ice