Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1905-11-09
sThen r,n 90 for the sixties ana

/ 3WedIeT, SdlU OldTd, ueClSAVtly, WAllc
| you get your own things ready" She
was out Of the door before Mrs. Hoyt
could utter a word Of protest. Then
the humor Of the situation struck
grandma, and throwing back her
head, she laughed till she cried. A
grandmother go skatingl
But when Eleanor came dancing in
with a navy blue skirt, confident that
tbs matter was quite settled, Mrs.
Hoyt hesitated a moment. She glanced
at her trim. almost girlish figure, at
her pretty little foot and ankle, and
yielded. It was a ridiculous thing to do,
of course, but she need not try to skate.
She could stay on the bank and watch
tie children. There was no reason
why she should spoil Eleanor's pleas
ure by staying at home; she well knew
that the child was too obedient and
too hospitable to go away and leave
her home.
A few minutes later a radiant little
figure stood in the sitting-room.
laughing at the girls surprise at her
transformation. The dark blue skirt
hung in graceful FOLDS almost to her
ankles; the scarlet sweater, with a
tam-o'shanter to match, set off her
black eyes and soft gray hair, while
the excitement of the moment had
brought an almost girlish flush to her
cheeks.
"Shell be the prettiest girl here"
cried Clara, enthusiastically. We'll
pull her to the pond on your sled, so
/ that she won't be tired before tie
/ skating begins"
Upon the sled they bundled her, and
away they raced to the pond.
There was q ripple Of excitement at
the appearance of the gray-haired
girl" but it soon subsidized. The
children were too much interested in
their W skating to pay much atten-
ton to anything else.
Such glorious sport as it was! The
air was just frosty enough to prevent
the ice from melting in the bright
sunshine.
Perfect weather and perfect ice"
cried Clara, estatically, as she fastened
on her own skates, and then, with
Eleanor's assistance, fitted the extra
pair to grandma's feet.
Lets put her between u.s." suggest
ed Eleanor. well slide her around
for a while, till she feels like trying it
herself"
By this time grandma had S % en-
tered into the spirit of the fun that her
intention to stay on the bank was quite
forgotten. The trio skinned over the
pond; then grandma wanted to try
her skill alone.
Down she went, With a suddenness
that quite took her breath away; but
by the time the frightened girls had
helped her to her feet she was ready
to try again, assuring them that she
was only out of practice.
In the meantime young Mrs. Hoyt
had returned to the deserted house, and
was wondering what had become of
her mother-in-law and Eleanor. Could
it be that grandma had allowed her
the skaters? Eleanor ought to know
better than to sacrifice. the poor old
lady to her childish pleasure.
Her mind filled With such thoughts,
Mrs. Hoyt started for the pond. The
merry shouts of the skaters reached
her ears while she was still some dis.
[ lance away. There was no lonely lit,
, tie figure on the bank. Mrs. Hoyt
} q%uickened her pace, q sudden fear pos
sessing her. What had become OF
, grandma?
= She caught sight Of Eleanor, skating
, with Clara and another girl, whose
skirt and tam-o'- sllanter looked strans.
I ~ familiar. Just then the three turneG
and the bright sun shone full on their
t faces.
, Mrs. Hoyt took a long look, theI
$ sank down on the bank with q little
gasp. Eleanor had caught sight of her
and skated up in some alarm.
But before her daughter reached he
Mrs. Hoyt had recovered her self-pos
b session and had risen to her feet.
a Eleanor Hoyt," she exclaimed
"what does this mean:"
a Eleanor, uncertain what she shoult
say, gazed helplessly at grandma AM
Clara, who had just overtaken her.
f. Grandma looked like the spirit O
winter, her cheeks flushed with exer
J. else, her eyes glowing with excite
a ment, soft little curls tumbling abou
d her face.
ut means" She replied, smiling q
a her daughter-in-law's Amusement
s 'that I have found something I though
I had lost forever"
you'll find a good attack Of rher
1t matism," expostulated the younge
A woman: but grandma shook her hea
emphatically.
n. II am eve again going to find any
thing that goes with old age" sh
said. "It will have to. lind me-an
IN hunt for me, too."- Youths Con