Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1906-05-12

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.l0I&A HAT was near thing.
Y - only just escaped~ Perc!
g o Preston exclaimed, as h
and his partner swerveC
SSGaP quickly to the right just il
time to avoid a collision.
1t was the last night at Princes
and the skating rink Yves c.owdet
with eager skaters, who flew along
the ice to the enlivening strains of the
Blue Hungarian Band The bell hat
just rung in order to clear the rink OF
all except the walters, and the swish
OF the skates intermingled pleasantly
with the soft hum of voices.
who's that girl?" asked man who
was watching this particular couple
with keen interest. Nobody seems to
know much about her."
"Chetwynd Hartop brought her, l
think; he's not generally over particu-
lar, but she must be somebody, or Pres
ton wouldn't be seen with her every
holiday like this" replied his COM
panlon. Hes not to be caught nap
ping. By Jove! she is handsome,
though. Look, they are coming roundw
The couple flew past like a fash of
lightning, and We're lost among the
crowd again.
ITS the last dayr she exclaimed.
Yes, II mas been rippin' meeting YOU
like this. l never thought we should
become such pals, you know" Percy
Preston answered, letting his eyeglass
drop from his eye. 81 say, I'd like to
see more Of you. How is it we never
meet at the same houses?"
II don't know the same people as
you do" she replied, land I'm always
30 much engaged"
Il get so beastly bored with them
ALL" he continued; you seem different,
somehow"
Il suppose you don't associate with
many people outside your own set?"
she asked.
mo; one never knows what dreadful
people may claim ones acquaintance,
If one isn't particular. Shall we re-
verse"
II think it's better to take people for
what they are and not who they are"
she exclaimed, and he did not see the
sneer on her face. He was too busy
steering them safely along.
"That's all very well in theory, but
it doesn't work." he answered. $50
ciety won't stand that sort of thing. A
fellow must think of appearances"
The Waiting stopped. and the rink
was again crowded with the usual
skaters.
Are you tired, or shall we go on?"
he asked.
ITS our last day." she murmured.
"Let us go on"
He took her hands in his and to-
gether they started off once more.
ut shan't be the last time we meet"
he thought to himself, "if l can help
it. 1 say" he exclaimed aloud, you
know these days have been my one
relief from social boredom"
"You flatter me-" she laughed. But
I am afraid this one must be our last"
you are going away?" he asked,
looking at her keenly.
mo"
"Then can't we arrange something
tomorrow"
You're very persistent" she ex-
claimed.
He smiled in sickly way.
II am when want to be, don't you
know, And I've made up my mind
about you. Are you going to the Went
worths' dance tomorrow evening"
II don't know the Wentworths," she
answered.
Some people object to them" he con-
tinued, "say she's peculiar, and all
that. believe her father did make
his money in glue or something of the
kind, but since she has married Went
worth, that has all been whitewashed
over. He's a rippin' good chap. Does
the thing splendidly with her money"
money seems to be your chief
thought" she said. IL suppose you
wouldn't be seen with any one if they
were badly dressed, even though they
might be above you in rank"
well, it would make a fellow look
so small in the eyes of his friends.
Nowadays we judge so much by APP
pearances, don't we?'
"And the opinion of the world is a
matter of such high Importance, isn't
itY
He did not detect the sarcasm in her
tone. He was not endowed with too
much wit.
II am not really like that, though"
he FASTENED to assure her. "0nce
like a person I'd stick to them through
thick or thin"
"I'll remember that" she repeated,
significantly. Zone doesn't meet that
sort of a friend every day. But this
must be our last round, for people are
beginning to leave"
The band was playing one of Strauss
yalses. Percy Preston felt almost ro-
mantle.
where are you going tomorrow
EVENING" he asked eagerly. She hesi
tated a moment. then gave little
laugh.
shopping" she said.
$50 am l." She looked startled
"With my sister," he added, hurried.
ly. 81 often do" They both laughed.
"Where shall it be, thenY he in
quired again, as they stopped skating.
81 really must go now" she cried.
"Well, IL you insist, Gayford's at II.
Good-by."
"Good-by," he replied. Don't for.
get" And they parted.
1t was some minutes past II the next