The Washington herald., 1914-11-16
DAILY SHORT STORY
CUPID ON SKATES.
By CECIL GRAHAM.

Copyright. 1914. BY the Mcclure Newspaper Syndi
eate.l
The Cedar River was in prime condi-
ton for skating. and the young people
for miles around were taking advantage
of good ice and moonlight to enjoy the
merry winter sport. The river above the
dam was like sheet of glass, and Il
sparkled in the brilliant moonlight like
an inlaid floor of diamonds.
Keeping abreast OF the times. the
couples were skating the One-step. the
hesitation, the fox trot and many other
trots they had learned to step OF on the
dancing floor. There was no room for
old Dutch roll and some Of the one-tlme
skaters fancy circular steps. The ice
was filed with up-to-date young persons
on skates.
Barbara Hamilton had been invited TO
join a skating party, and she had ac-
cepted the invitation with alacrity, for
IL there was one thing she had always
done well IT was to skate. She had come.
two years ago, from Montreal to this
middle Western town. but the first sea
son OF her stay had not been a very
gay one. and of the sport she loved
skating--she had had none. This was
her first opportunity and she had antici-
pated IL with unusual pleasure. Now sne
stood alone near the bank of the river
watching the members of her party do
all sorts Of dance steps she had never
even heard OF, either on the ice or on.
She had tried to skate with one or two
of the young men, but when they found
her starting of in the good old-fashioned
gliding motion they were surprised and
made apologies and excuses, and did not
ask her again. II was as II she had
tried to waltz or polka on a fashionable
ballroom floor. She felt entirely out of
place.
"Oh. Barbara" cried her hostess. stop
ping in the midst OF an intricate one
step variation, don't you skate?''
Barbara forced a laugh. II have
skated all my life. but I've never danced
on the ice,'' she said.
I'm sorry-so sorry. l never thought
to ask you," young Mrs. Holt went on.
pulling her skating cap more closely
about her face and being careful to tease
out curl or two that might have been
hidden by the act Your aunt said you
were such a skater, so l was delighted
to have you with U.S."
Barbara did not miss the past tense OF
the verb her hostess used, but she only
smiled in reply.
Perhaps Miss Hamilton would be one
of the judges in competition" suggested
the pleasant-faced young man with Mrs.
Holt
"Ah. would you, Barbara" Mrs. Holt
asked quickly.
IF I could. gladly" Barbara replied.
Anything was better than standing or
skating alone.
George Mason is to be one." the
young man went on. May I present
II over? We're to have the prize figures
in ten minutes"
Barbara was left with Mrs. Holt while
the young man skated of in search OF
his friend, the judge Of the contest. I'VE
needed another Judge so badly. There
are exquisite prizes for the couple who
does the best hesitation on ice the best
and the best fox-trot. The band
Is coming to play for us, and I think it
will be oceans Of fun," ran on Mrs. Holt,
She was still talking when her partner
skated up with a quiet looking man in
brown skating costume. George Mason
was duly presented and Mrs. Holt and
her partner skated of in another whirl
Of steps.
I'm afraid I'm a pretty poor selection
for judge" said Mason. looking down
into Barbara's face. Il abominate all
this razzle-dazzle on skates"
Barbara gave him such a grateful look
that he stepped back in mock fear. You
io?" she cried, laughing
II do" he nodded. Why? Am l
such a social outcast for it,"
"You-you're the first person I've found
tonight who didn't think me quite an
antique for saying that Of the new skat- ,,
ng craze" Barbara confessed.
George Mason looked at her for =
Shall we skate as we please |
md defy convention?" he asked.
For answer Barbara turned and crossed |
her arms. giving him her right hand in |
lis right under her left arm and they |
'wayed away together. Long graceful |
strokes and the wind at their backs |
soon took them far from the crowd to
which they were supposed to be attach |
d, but so busy were they with conver- |
Iation that seemed to tumble from one |
subject gayly to another that they did !
lot notice the distance they had gone.
Suddenly Barbara drew away from him |
md faced him, her hands still in his.
The contest"' she cried.
Mason whistled Enthusiastically. The /
be sure! tolu you 1 was
fine judge, did l not?'
You are-we're a pair" laughed Bar
,ara. I'VE must turn and go back at
nee. Hear the music! They've begun"'
so has something else" -retorted
George Mason as they faced the wind
ogether. This bully friendship with
-ou," he added.
Thanks" said Barbara. Nothing else
eemed to come to her.
As they skated against the cold, sharp |
Wind, getting nearer and nearer the
trains Of music, their conversation grew
ess animated. It was enough that they j