Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1907 — BREAKING THE ICE [ARTICLE]

BREAKING THE ICE

Harold Severn aud Frank Spencer were 1/oth iu love with Alice Ware, but she had so successfully used those methods in which all accomplished young women are well versed that neither of them had any assurance of being a favored suitor. One afternoon iu midwinter as she sat playing and singing dreamily to herself she was interrupted by her cousin Edith, who came to discuss the skating party planned for the approaching evening. “We must start early, so that we can make the most of it,” she said enthusiastically. “They’re going to build a fire on the bank of the pond, where we can warm ourselves and have our refreshments, and I believe 'twill be the gayest time we’ve bad this season.” “I don’t think I care much about it,” said Alice, fingering her piano absently as she spoke. Regardless of her indifferent manner, Edith continued her lively conversation. “Didn’t Frank Spencer look fine at the last dance, as if he'd just stepped out of a fashion plate?” “I hate to see a man look that way,” said Alice coldly. “ 'Tis a bad sign." “Nonsense! ’Tis olily a signal that he’s fastidious; that’s all.” replied Edith. “Harold ought to suit you better then. His necktie is hardly ever exactly straight.” “He is careless about his clothes, and that's another bad fault.”

“Goodness! If I wasn’t acquainted with you, Alice, I should think something dreadful was going to happen, but I know you’ll be yourself again when you get on your skates with a devoted attendant on each side.” The full moon shone in a cloudless sky when the party reached the pond, and, soon equipped for their sport, they went skimming away over the sparkling surface like a flock of swift winged birds, while the brushwood Are burning on the bank shed Warmth and brightness around the merry scene. Exercise sharpened all apatites, ami the lunch baskets were emptied at an early hour, after which their spirits seemed to rise to higher levels. Alice especially displayed more than her usual willfulness as she performed her capricious evolutions, closely followed by her unwearied satellites.

At length as she was describing a wide circle near the edge of the pond she approached a point where the prying beams of the afternoon’s sun had discovered a weak spot, and now the warm breath of the fire lyafted across it had rendered it unsafe. But, unaware of this, she swept fearlessly onward. when suddenly the ice gave way at her feet, and she sank into the water beneath. Though the depth was not great, the shock was sufficient to excite her utmost terror, and, struggling helplessly, she shrieked aloud, “Oh, Harold, save me!” Both young men arrived at nearly the same moment, but Harold had heard his name called, and, with headlong speed, he rushed to her aid. Plunging Into the broken ice, he held her fast while he strove to secure a foothold on the muddy bottom. He was not long In doing so and then succeeded in getting to the shore unassisted, with Alice clinging frantically to him. “Oh, Harold,” she murmured between her shivering sobs, “I’m so glad you got here! I didn’t want Frank to get me out” “Let me get off your skates quick, Alice, and then we must hurry home, for you’ll get a deadly cold.” Frank met them on the bank, saying anxiously, “Do let me help about something!” “Take care of our skates, will you?” said Harold. “We’ve got to race for life.” And, catching Alice by the hand, they ran like two children across the meadow to the road, where they disappeared from the sight of their companions, who Immediately disbanded and hastened away from the scene of the accident. Frank Spencer mechanically gather,-

ed up the skates that had been left In his care and walked in silence amid the talkative groups, feeling that something was ended forever. Alice, comforted by dry clothes and a warm bed, soon recovered from her chill and fright, and Harold, blessing his good fortune that at the mere cost of a cold bath he had won her approval, slept with rainbow visions hovering around his pillow. The next morning as soon as practicable he called on Alice, to find her calm and reticent not at all the clinging, impulsive being he had so lately rescued—but, resolved not to be baffled, he ventured to say, “I never dared to think before that you could really care for me, but last night when you said”— “You were my choice then,” she hastened to reply with a look and emphasis that struck the gallant youth like a blow in the face, and, unable to command his voice, he rose and walked to the window, but iu a he was aware of a hand on his arm and a pair of mischievous eyes looking up into liis. “I know you don't choose me today,” ho said falteringly, endeavoring to keep his gaze fixed upon the distant landscape. “Why, yes, 1 do,” she answered in tones of such evident truthfulness that the courage of her hearer again revived. and he questioned impetuously, “Today and always?"