Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-04
Preparing for ST. Valentine S Day.
By T. cEDEsTINE CUMMINGS.

The game OF "quoits." although an OUT
door game, can be adapted nicely for an in
door game. and foe st. Valentine fun 1t can
take the form of q progressive game of
Heart Quoits" Apy3 number of people
may play, but only four at a table. The
game is a home made affair, and inexpen-
sive. Use red and whitefor the colors and
the auoits instead of being round are made
heart shape. Il
For each table have a center pin, the
hob, and some heart quolts. The hobs are
sticks of wood ten inches in length sharp
ened at one end, wound with white ribbon
or tissue paper and stuck upright into
hole made in a fiat piece of wood, large
enough to hold it firmly. Cover these foun-
datior;s with white or red crepe paper. The
heart quoits are easily shaped of pliable
wire and wound with red ribbons or paper.
This is all the preparation needed. Simple,
is 1t not?
The players sit about two feet away from
the tables. The object of the game Is to
get as many hearts as possible over the
hobs.
The object is to throw the heart quot
over the hob. If it lands oy er the hob the
player may count one. If he or she fails.
another successive throw is lost. The next
player takes his turn, and can keep throw
ing as long his hearts pass over the
hob, even should he be successful enough
to throw five or six safely over The two
girls or boys who secure the greatest num-
Der of hearts In given time progress to
the next table and lind new partners. At
the end of the game the two who gained
the most hearts are given a large silver
heart, and the one who is the least success
full, heart made of bright red flannel,
with tiny wooden arrow thrust drought
it.
Another lively game is called "Cupid's
Arrows" Pin up white sheet upon the
wall, or, better yet. hang it in the open
space between rooms and faSten the four
corners of 1t out tightly, so that there will
be much firmnesS as possible for the ar
rows when they touch it. In the center of
the white eXpanse sew on a large red heart
and in the center Of that small white
one. Provide your company with cards and
arrows, the guests name written on the
card.
Each contestant is blindfolded as his turn
comes to shoot, and the one that plants
the arrow nearest to the white heart CEN
ter is rewarded with a dainty little bisque
Cupid
The arrows in themselves will make
pretty souvenirs of the occasion for every
guest
A quantity of turkey feathers are used to
make these arrows. Strip the quill bare to
within two inches of the tip. Cut off the
end of the quill and split the merest frac-
ton of an inch; then insert small round
piece of cork with a pin thrust through it.
Secure the cork III the quill by wrapping
tightly with thread Now gild the entire
quill pin and thread and spatter the feath-
cred part with the gilt paint also
The arrows are shot from real bows
bought at the store for a few cents apiece,
Or they can easily be made by the boy who
knows how to handle his tools skiIlf1IIy
variation of this jolly game could take
place in the barn if you live in the suburbs
of town or the country. Have your guests
come clothed for the outdoor target shoot
ing, and outside the barn at a safe dis
taQCa have huge bonfire Z
heat and cheerful glow; then to make
sure of the company being comfortably
warm before the target shooting COM
mences, have a merry race over the frozen
snow.
This time the target Is a frame made of light
wood and piece of white muslin fitted in
tightly. Make it three feet square. In the
center of the white paint a black heart
then in succession, each one two inches
larger in diameter, paint a red yellow
white and blue heart.
Have bows and arrows ready, made as
for the parlor game and on each bow tie
knot of bright Iibbon. The girls choose
the arrows and the boys the bows. to
match the color on the arrow of the girl
they wish as partner. The partners
shoot by turns, the girl first The aim of
each one is, of course, to hit the black
Dull s-eye After you have shot your
arrow ard had a verse of fortune read an.
proprlate to the color your arrow has
struck you pull it out and give it to your
partner. with which to try his luck. II the
arroWs-aS In the parlor game-are intend
ed for souvenirs, provide two tied with the
same color ribbon for each bow The fol-
lowing are suggestions for the couplets
II your arrow hits the white,
Watch! Your sweetheart comes tonight,
II your arrow hits the red
You fear, will never wed.
Wealth and pleasure and yellow gold
But no true love does this heart hold
II arrow hits the hIack
Something good your love doth lack
watch! Beware! And turn your back
II your arrow hits the blue
Ihe one you love will e'er prove true
These couplets should be printed On a
large card and the one who has charge of
the target shooting reads off the couplet
corresponding to the color that the arrow
hits as each one takes his turn.
Red paper hearts are easily cut In any
size you have two or three good shaped
heart patterns of the sizes required. and
these strung on fine wires or cord through
tiny perforations will make very effective
decorations for the room, arranged in fes-
ICONS, or Tor the supper table, outlining the
edge or the white table cover Just outside
the plates. Make a large outline heart of
lhem to hang from the chandelier and from
the center of it swing bisque Cupid hold
ing req RIBBONS that run down to every
plate and end in a white candy heart with
an appropriate motto on it.
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