The Lamar register., 1914-12-30

of on the dancing floor
Barbara Hamilton had been invited
10 Join skating party, and she had
accepted the invitation with alacrity,
for II there was one thing she had
always done well 1t was 10 skate. She
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 on in the good old
fashioned gliding motion they were
surprised and made apologies and ex-
cuses and did not ask her again.
oh. Barbara" cried her hostess.
stopping in the midst OF an intricate
one-step variation. don't you skate?'
barbara forced a laugh. Il have
skated all my life, but I've never
danced on the ice" she said.
I'm sorry-so sorry. never thought
to ask you" young Mrs. Holt said.
Perhaps Miss Hamilton would be
one OF the judges in the competition"
suggested the pleasant-faced young
man with Mrs. Holt
oh. would you. Barbara" Mrs.
Holt asked quickly.
III could. gladly" Barbara replied.
George Mason is to be one the
young man went on. May ] present
him."
Barbara was left with Mrs Holt
while the young man skated of in
search OF his friend the judge OF the
IL NtrfF
quiet-looking man in brown skating
costume. George Mason was duly
presented and Mrs Holt and her part.
ner skated on In another whirl OF
steps.
I'm afraid I'm a pretty poor selec.
ton for Judge" said Mason. looking
down into Barbaras face. Il abom
mate all this zzle-dazzle on skates
Barbara gave him such grateful
look that he stepped back in mock
fear. You do" she cried. laughing.
Il do" he nodded. Shall we skate
as we please and defy convention" he
asked.
For answer Barbara turned and
crossed her arms. giving him her right
hand in his right under her left arm
and they swayed away together
AS they skated against the cold
sharp wind. getting nearer and nearer
the strains OF music. their converse
ton grew less animated II was
enough that they we're together in this
glorious crisp air on so perfect a
night. and neither one seemed to find
It necessary to speak
They were pounced upon vertically
by Mrs Holt and her parper when
they skated into the little group neal
the bank
Where were you?" Mrs Holt asked
We've looked everywhere George"
added the young man, who was still
Mrs Hollis partner.
Too bad" Mason said. but Miss
Hamilton and have been taking
bracer. an oldfashioned turn up tho
river and back Who're do we stand?'
over by the musicians" Mrs Holt
remarked And do your best-it's sc
exciting" she cushed.
We will" T. hara returned. skat.
ing I'll beside George Mason. I guess
we can tel rrsce when We see it.any
WH'-eveu II We are antiques" she
laughed
l can-Ive ulrc dy given the prize
Ia my own mind" the man laughed
That's not fair. Barbara replied,
though SIC knew We'll what he meant
After that they gave their attention
to the figures ard elected the couples
who seemed most deserving of the
trophies. Mrs Holt and her young
partner We're not among the prize win.
h"rs. for both barbara and her col.
league decided that their steps were
too exaggerated for grace
And yet Id like to give them a
prize" Mason said
Why" asked Barbara
because they introduced me to
you" he said shamelessIy.
oh" Barbara said comprehen.
sively,
The trophies We're presented ct the
little supper party at the home OF Mrs.
Holt and at It Barbara and George
Mason sat side by side and talked Il
no one but each other and thought OF
co one but each other. All OF which
was not very polite. but all is fair II
some phases OF life, and this was one
II the phsses-it was love.