The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-03-26
RIVALRY ON ROLLER SKATES.
BY SARA b. ROSE.

The Albion rink was crowded with
Young people. 1t was the night of the
calico masquerade, aud when the
masque was over, the young ladies were
to have race for the championship of
Albion. Every known shape and COS
tune which could be formed from cali
CO was there represented. Pirates in
black and red, Undines in green, daisies
in yellow and white, while one auda-
cious young fellow represented bar
red of spirits, his head protruding from
one end of the barrel, with long calico
streamers depending from it, and his
feet gracefully rolling along beneath.
The best two young lady skaters, one
of whom was expected to win the race,
were attired III pretty suits OF pink
calico. with long steamers of pink
ribbon floating behind them.
They usually skated together, unless
it was when ALI Whitman, the brother
of the taller OF the two, Joined them,
and, leaving his sister Estelle TO skate
by herself, acted the part OF devoted
cavalier to pretty Orette Harrington.
As soon as supper was announced the
masks were lifted, and when it was
over the young men stood aside to
witness the race between the young
ladies. None of the girls expected to
distance Orette or Estelle, but several
of them laughingly started out to keep
them company.
Orette did not care to skate her best,
for she knew that Tistelle had set her
heart upon the championship, and she
cared too little about it herself to wish
TO offend her friend, who was of a very
jealous disposition.
She had not thought of other oppo-
sition; but, as they turned the first
corner. Estelle a little in advance,
tOrette was astonished to see a tall,
slender young lady, in black velvet
dress, trimmed with old-gold satin, q
black velvet cap upon her curly head,
from which depended long, old-gold-
colored plume, and with white kid
gloves upon her hands, which reached
nearly to her elbows, shoot ahead of
her riend and proceed to execute a
number of intricate maneuvers in front
of Estelle, and, in spite of this extra
turning and twisting, the stranger al
ways managed TO keep in front.
Orette knew that this would be very
displeasing to Estelle, and 10y little
effort she gained her side, only to see
that provoking stranger Waiting like a
whirlwind before them. She glanced
at Estelle and saw that her eyes were
swapping with anger, and her cheeks
were flaming with rage.
Suddenly the walter put on an extra
squirt, and in moment she was half
way around the rink ahead of her an
tagonists, and was apparently intend
ing to pass them again shortly.
Osette and Estelle were now the only
Albion girls upon the floor, the others
having withdrawn 10 witness the excit-
ing race.
Estellc Whitman was a good skater
and was very sure upon her feet. She
was very angry at the antics of the
stranger, and noticing group Of empty
chairs 10y the side OF the rink, she
giided to the side Of the hall, and as if
by accident, she stumbled over one Of
the chairs, sending IL sprawling directly
i'm the wa OF the girl in velvet.
Everyone expected 10 see the stranger
wayer or perhaps trip over the over
turned chair Not so; flash Of amuse-
creased her speed, and with the utmost
ease She jumped over the obstacle, and
in second more darted UP TO the
Judges stand, the winner OF the race.
After che excitement was over, Es-
telle informed Orette that the stran-
gers name was Flora Archer, that she
had come from the village of Camden,
near by, end Estelle added, with up
turned nose @Shc don't pay the least
attention to any of the girls, but is all
taken up with these half dozen Camden
fellows. who. / do believe. brought hen
here"
Orettc laughed little and took oh
her skates, as the rest OF the evening
was to bc devoted TO dancing. She had
promised the first dance to ALI Whit
man, but when the set formed wha,
was her astonisliment 10 see him at the
head of the dance with Miss Flors
Archer.
There" whispered Estelle. when i