The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-12-17

, ,aas. floor Of dia- =A
Keeping abreast Of the times. the
couples we're skating the one-step.
the hesitation, the fox trot and many
other trots they had learned to step
of on the dancing floor.
Barbara Hamilton had been invited
to join . skating party, and she had
accepted the invitation with alacrity,
for II there was one thing she had
! always done well 1t was to skate. She
stood alone near the bank of the river
all sorts Of dance steps she had never
even heard Of either on the ice or of.
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 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 skater"
Barbara forced 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.
IF 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
contest. He soon returned with
quiet.looking man in brown skating
I, costume. George Mason was duly
presented and Mrs. Holt and her part.
ner skated of in another whirl of
steps.
I'm afraid I'm a pretty poor selec-
ton for judge" said Mason, looking
down into Barbara's face. Il abom.
mate all this razzle-dazzle on skates"
Barbara gave him such grateful
look that he stepped back in mock
fear. you do?" she cried, laughing.
II d." 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. 1t was
enough that they were together in this
glorious crisp air on SO perfect a
night, and neither one seemed to find
1t necessary to speak.
They were bounced upon vertically
by Mrs. Holt and her partner when
they skated into the little group near
the bank
Where were your" 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 a
bracer, an old-fashioned turn up the
river and back. Where do we stand?"
"Over by the musicians" Mrs. Holt
remarked. And do your best-it's so
exciting" she gushed.
I'VE WILL" Barbara returned, skat,
Ing of beside George Mason. 81 guess
we can tell grace when we see it,any.
way-even II we are antiques" she
laughed
Il can-Ive already given the prize
In my own mind" the man laughed.
That's not fair" Barbara replied.
though she knew we'll what he meant
| After that they gave their attention
to the figures and elected the couples
who seemed most deserving of the
trophies. Mrs. Holt and her young
partner were not among the prize win.
ners. for both Barbara and her col.
league decided that their steps were
too exaggerated for grace
And yet I'd like to give them a
prize" Mason said
"Why?" asked Barbara.
Because they introduced me to
you." he said. shamelessly.
OH" Barbara said, comprehen.
sively.
The trophies were presented at the
little supper party at the home of Mrs.
Holt. and at it Barbara and George
Mason sat side by side and talked to
no one but each other and thought Of
no one but each other. All of which
was not very polite, but all is fair in
some phases of life, and this was one
Of the phases-it was love.