The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-11-12
A RoTaER-RINK ROMANCE.
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A R0EaAsR.HsINK ROMANCE.
"Yes,n saSa Byrd Bryton with su-
perciiious smile, "girls answer to waltz
around with for little, and skate
gracefully enough, suppose, but just
as fellow gets interested, they tire
out have no stamina, you know"
That is your opinion, is it?" ques-
toned Kate Merton, one of the circle
OF beauties that were discussing the
skating rink, and her black eyes fash
ed indignantly, and even maliciously.
"Most decidedly. he answered.
"No girl could endure a long race"
and he glanced almost scornfully at
the slight, trim, 1.-the figure in con-
firmation of his opinion.
"Do you think you could catch me?"
she asked. Lords OF creation like
yourself, | am aware, have very ex-
alted opinion of their abilities"
Easily Should you chance to be
the fleetest in the start, which | very
much doubt, should have nothing to
/ do but wait, and you would soon grow
< Iweary and drop into my arms"
Into your armsl / should very
miurh prefer more congenial resting
place" and there was no concealment
Of uihe vocation she felt at even the
poaai6llityof such an accident. "But,'
she continued, "do you seriously think
you e0.ill oatch me?"
HAs eertain .of it as that Meleager
caught Atalanta, though the proceed.
ing was deuoed expensive one"
"No danger Of Nour wasting golden
anything except upon yourself How
ever, for once in your eftete existence
you have evolved a brilliant idea from
out OF your inner nothingness, and
eagerly seize upon II"
"You intend to convey" he drawl
ed forth, though his flushed face plain,
ly showed that her ridicule-tipped ar
rows had not missed their intended
mark, "that you will assume the char
acter Of Atalanta, the daughter O
King Sch@neusp
"At the mask and costume party
next Saturday evening. Certainly"
"And you dare me to racer"
Decidedly so. But don't forget t.
bring The goldon apples. Who knows
but what they might tempt me to los,
If you should be too slow, and brill
iant,conversation and princely beaut,
fail to conquer my stubborn heart"
"What do-you wager that do no
catch you before getting twenty time
around the rink?" he asked, and in
itone that revealed how much he wa
sannoyed by her cutting sarcasm.
Anything saucily.
".Anything2v
lIe fancied he saw good opportu
nifty 10 get even, and continued:
"I'll wager a dozen pair Of glove
against kiss.
The full red lips curled scornfully
the nes retrousse became still NOR
marked, the flush on the face deeper
ed to crimson, the bosom heaved wit
pent-up indignation, and the blac
eyes snapped with volcanic fire.
Then the amused smiles OF her con
panions, and the triumphant one {
Byrd Bryton, caused sudden chang
in feeling, and choking down her il
suited modesty, though it cost a gres
effort, she answered.;
Il accept the wager"
"A dozen pair of glove if lose, an
q kiss upon your coral lips"
'If you VIM es-
"Yonr hand upon it,
when give any man my han
my heart viii go with ID, she sa
proudly; and with cutting coohes
and Withdrawing from the ment
combat, slipped quietly from the roo
and house,
Busy days followed. What hi
simply been intended as an improm
tn affair assumed importance as Il