The Red Cloud chief., 1908-03-13

beside him. And Mrs. Angel moved
across the room to s~traighten a candle
In n Of the candelabra.
Merriwether noted with admiration
her free, light step. She was n superb
specimen Of womanhood, but he fer
venty wished she had appeared older.
why Is It," he asked impulsively, ig.
noring her question. that women re.
tain their youth so much longer than
menl"
IN paused with her hand on the
candle and looked back. II think" she
replied tboughtfully, its because they
insist on doing youthful things"
"Thcre It Is again. he thought. with
an Internal RrOan. He would be obliged
to skate and dance and do all the other
uncomfortable thugs which forty years
and 300 pounds shrink from. Still as
he watched her move about the room
the burden of IL did not seem so oner-
u after all.
Therefore he danced not badly, but
labOrlously, oil the while admiring the
graceful ease Of Gertrude Angeles mo-
tons.
AT least" he determined resOlutcly,
I'll not be caught skating, as l was
dancing, without n bit of practice" It
was 1 a. m. when he made this resolu-
ton and issued the command to his
man, Peter, get me up at 7-unless,"
in sudden inspiration, ut should he
storming."
Promptly at Z he was awakened In a
rebellious frame Of mind. "Stiff MS a
cart horse" he grumbled. II hope it's
showing like blaZes."
The man raised the shade and looked
out. "Sky clear as a whistle, sir"
So, with his sleep cut short two hours
at both ends of the night, Mcrriwcther
dragged himself and the pair of skates.
produced by his thoughtful nephew,
out to the pond behind the hill. For
an hour he skinned his knees, bumped
his head and disturbed the cquanimlty
of his temper before he was able to
move alone with moderate speed and
keep his feet under him.
When he went in to breakfast lie was
thankful for II few moments alone in
front Of Il glowing CRATE fire. He
stretched his aching legs toward the
heat and rubbed the back of his head
where a bump vas appearing which is
not aid down in chronological charts
and pains from which were darling in
every direction. He listened idly 70
voices IN the hall until his attention
was chained by two comments made
just outside the door.
s.Ia,', IL, a, Anc.. II. II. -.
cron? And so young too! She can't be
thirty"
The reply was given in II doubtful
tone. "Why-c-e, yes. she must be all
of thirty
'Fo%rty-Onc." muttcrcd the listener
doggcdly, the light of his new resolve
shining again in his eyes.
At 10 o'clock the entire party went
ont to the pond. and Mcrriwcthcr skat-
ed and skatcd and skated until his
teeth were clinched in desperation ana
his forehead knitted in his efforts ~
hold out as long as Mrs. Angel did.
That he was becoming II man Of ono
Idea he acknowledged 10 himself that
afternoon on the sleigh ride. What
Gertrude darcs, I dare" he told him
self in feeble Jest. That Sleighing par
~ was II nightmare to him for days
afterward. The drifts were deep. and
the sleigh WAS overturned again ana
again. generally with Mcrrlwethcr ut
the bottom of the heap, owing TO the
fact that SlcighS incline readily in the
direction of 40 pounds. Then. to vary
the monotony Of The tip-ovcrS. there
were miles Of lillsidcs with a SouthcY.
~ exposure where the sun had melted
the now AMI obliged the party to
walk.
Mcrrlwcthcr toiled M the slopes. hus-
banding his wind by maintaining 81
lcncc, watching Gcrtrudc's elastic steps
rucfully ANA feeling his resolutions in
respect 10 IouthfulncSS oo2c from his
chilled finger tips.
"All 0uj for "ur last climb cried
Roy AZ the horses stopped al the foot
Of Il steep rise. This il orr last HILL
"rhank the Lord said Mcrriweiher
dcvoutly behind his mlstachc. lie
watched his chance when The attcn-
ton of the others. especially Gertrude,
was directed elsewhere. and then, rs.
sistInG his pedal eXtrcmiticS hilarious
~ over the side of the sleigh, he fell on
them heavily. trusting to luck rather
than to his tired legs 10 keep him up.
right.
Ncar The end of their climb he re-
marked To- Mrs. Angel. with all the
nonchalancc he could command. II
shonld think YOU ladies would he II bit
tired"
\ light laugh put him To shame. and
a mir Of lnnninn hlIn NNns moi Lin