ll
into his bosom.

They were forming for the start, sixty yards beyond the flag which
marked the line of starting. All was excitement in the crowd gathered on
each side near the finishing line. It seemed that every voice was hushed
as they saw the red flag at the head of the course suddenly fall, and
heard the cry, "Go!" They could see the flash of steel against the ice
as the skaters bent every effort toward the goal. After the first
hundred yards, Danner and Shawn were seen to be in the lead, Danner
almost erect and coming like a whirlwind. Shawn was bending over, but
close on Danner's heels, and with a shorter but much faster stroke.
_Swish_, _swish_, _swish_--they could hear the sound of the skates on
the ice.

The Indiana crowd set up a mighty shout. "Come on, Danner! Look at
Danner!"

"Come, Shawn," yelled the Kentucky boys. Old Brad ran out and threw up
his hat and shouted, "Down to it, my Shawn--bust yo'se'f wide open,
honey!"

Shawn was just behind Danner. They were nearing the last hundred yard
flag. Danner threw all his energy and power into the last effort; every
nerve and muscle was strained to its utmost.

"Danner wins!" went up the cry, but suddenly like a rush of wind, Shawn
shot past him and the flag went down with Shawn a good five yards in the
lead.

And such a mighty shout that went up on that frozen stream was never
heard before. Old Brad was rubbing Shawn's face and chest. Shawn heard
the loud huzzas and heard Danner's voice praising his wonderful race,
but best of all, Lallite came up, and with her own hand, presented him
the cup. On the shoulders the boys of Skarrow he was carried in triumph.
It was a proud day for Shawn. He had brought the cup back to Kentucky.

[Illustration: They were nearing the last hundred yard flag.]

CHAPTER XIII

The winter had passed away. Shawn had been working hard in school, and
under the encouragement of Mrs. Alden, was making fair progress, but
Sunday afternoons found him in his row-boat, wandering about the stream
and generally pulling his boat out on the beach at Old Meadows, for
Lallite was there to greet him, and already they had told each other of
their love. What a dream of happiness, to wander together along the
pebbled beach, or through the upland woods, to tell each other the
little incidents of their daily life, and to pledge eternal fidelity. Oh
dearest days, when the rose of love first blooms in youthful hearts,
when lips breathe t