George seemed shaken by the boy's arrogance, and as the sledge and the skaters sped on, he started at a rapid pace to follow them on the bank.

Mrs. Winter and the sliders stood still to watch the pleasant scene. George, with his face in a glow, and his hair scattered by the wind, kept in mid stream, followed by the skaters at various distances. The bright colours of the carriage rug, and the red feather on Gerty's hat, formed a pleasing contrast to the ice-bound country, and the cold, blue, wintry sky; while her happy face looked rosier, and her bright eyes brighter as they flew along.

They had reached the overhanging trees which stretched one-fourth across the stream's width; and on nearing this part, George, instead of diverging to the right as the skaters did, kept on in mid stream.

"Don't go too close!" cried Temple, skating towards Carleton. "Do you hear?" he shouted.

The proud boaster did hear; but, indignant at the interference, and at the sound of Temple's skates approaching, he quickened his movements, and gave the chair an impetus forward, which made it escape from his hands, and caused him to fall.

With terror, that sent a thrill of horror into the hearts of those who looked on, they saw the chair rush rapidly forward without a guide, and diverge towards the trees. The next moment the softened ice gave way beneath the weight and the sudden shock, the dear little girl was thrown forward, and disappeared from their eyes.

Most of the boys stood as if paralysed with terror, unable to move; while Temple and Leslie forgot all danger to themselves as they rushed to save the doctor's beloved grandchild. George had risen and stood pale as death, but he made no efforts to undo what he had done; he seemed overpowered with fear and mortified pride more than regret.

66

"Stop! stop!" cried Maitland to the two boys; come on

the bank, Horace is there; let us go and help him." The two boys followed at the words, for Horace was already in the water and needed assistance.

They arrived in time to see him emerge from the water with Gerty in his arms, and seize a branch of a tree which hung over the hole with one hand, while with the other he held the dripping child.

"The ice will not bear you," he cried, as the elder boys prepared to step on it, and they were too far off to reach him with their hands. "Don't come if you cannot swim; send for a rope, quick! quick! while my strength and the branch hold out."

Tearing off their skates the boys turned to rush to the house, but others had been beforehand with them. Charlie Meredith had followed Horace slowly, and was near enough when the accident happened to see it, and to rush to the house for help. Mrs. Winter had seen the excitement near the trees, and though in terror, that caused faintness, managed to reach the spot, just as Mr. Fielding arrived with two men-servants and ropes. Then she learnt what had happened. Pale as death she stood watching their efforts; while in her heart rose a stronger remedy than ropes or the aid of man-"Father of mercies, if it please Thee, preserve my darling child."

Meanwhile, minutes, which were hours, passed to Horace. With one arm clinging to the branch he had not power to lift his helpless burden to the ice around him, fearing too that it would again give way with her weight.

The child, who had scarcely been two minutes under water, recovered her senses, and became aware of her position.

"Can you hold me, dear Horace ?" she said; "I'm sure the water makes my clothes heavy. Let me try to get on the ice."

"No, no, Gerty, dear," we are not safe unless you remain quite still;" but he did not tell her that he heard the branch

to which he clung cracking with their weight. Presently the shouts of Temple and the others reached his ear.

"Keep up, Gerty, only a minute longer; here comes a rope and the men; only a minute. Oh, save little Gerty. Oh, my poor mother!" said the brave youth, as he felt the branch give way; and the next moment, trees, and ice, and all outer objects faded from his eyes.

He knew not that strong hands shattered the ice, that Mr. Fielding and others were swimming towards them, and that, as the branch snapped, strong arms were round them both, and that they were drawn to the bank.

Mrs. Winter clasped her recovered child to her heart as Horace, pale as death, was laid on the ground.

"Mamma! Oh, mamma! is he dead? Oh! dear Horace, he saved me. Oh dear, what can we do?” and the poor little child clapped her hands in excitement and terror.

"Gerty, darling, Horace is not dead, he has only fainted from holding you so long; he will be taken care of.

must come to the house quickly."

And now you

As they turned, Dr. Winter appeared, pallid with fear. "Oh! thank God, she is saved; but, my dear, you can't carry her. Here, Temple, one of you, pray assist us," said the trembling old gentleman.

"Let the little girl walk to the house, doctor," said Mr. Fielding, as he and Leslie passed, carrying Horace; "if she can bear it, the exercise will save her from taking cold."

At this, Gerty shuffled down quickly from the arms of Temple, and holding his hand and those of another boy, she ran at a good pace to the house; and after a warm bath, and tea with a little brandy in it, was soon comfortably tucked up in bed. The shock, however, had been very great, and she looked pale and started very much while asleep, calling upon Horace to hold her tight.

With Horace there was, however, for some hours more

danger. He was given into Miss Winter's care, who promptly sent for the doctor. But after a warm bath, and the usual remedies, he began to recover vitality. The faintness, while partly under water, had nearly cost him his life.

The pupils, in confusion and alarm, had thrown off their skates and followed little Gerty and her preserver to the house.

George Carleton, for once ashamed of himself, kept in the background till he saw that Gerty was safe. His feelings, while he supposed she would be drowned, were indeed dreadful. Shame, pain, and regret for his proud self-confidence, filled his heart. But no sooner was he assured of her recovery than new sensations of deep mortification and wounded pride took the place of regret and shame. To think that Horace, whom he had so often stigmatized as a coward, should have saved Gerty by his courage from danger into which his pride had thrown her, was indeed a bitter reflection. He had no pity for the youth whose plunge into the cold water, after his rapid run, had brought on a feverish cold, which kept him in bed for several days.

"What business had Horace to follow him!" were the first. proud thoughts; till conscience whispered-" And what would have been the consequences if he had not?"

George was also conscious that he had sunk in the estimation of his schoolfellows. He saw that some of them avoided him; but his mortification would have been indeed terrible had he heard what his own friends said of him.

"Jack Bragg made a mess of it yesterday," said Jones to Temple the next morning.

"That's right," was the reply, "trample upon him when he's down."

"Oh, well! one can't help seeing who is the coward now!" said Jones. "Little Gerty might have been drowned for all he did to help her."

"Or anyone else, I should say, excepting Horace-the fellow you've been calling a coward amongst other names."

"And suppose I, one of the juniors, should have attempted to stand out against such a fellow as George Carleton, why he'd have cut me dead."

"And what if he did?" said Temple, as he turned away.

Ah! what, indeed, when, as Jones knew, he was in debt to George Carleton for no end of advanced pocket money.