The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-16
The Eue,,ine Story
Cupid ON skases.


(By Cecil Graham.)
The Cedar river was in prime con-
dition for skating, and the young peo-
pie for miles around were taking ad-
vantage of good ice and moonlight to
enjoy the merry winter sport. The
river above the dam was like q sheet
Of glass. and it sparkled in the brilliant
moonlight like an inlaid floor OF dia-
monds.
Keeping abreast of the times. the
couples were skating the one-ttep. the
hesitation. the fox trot and many
other trots they mad learned to step
off on the dancing floor. There was
no room for old Dutch roll and some
OF the onetime skaters fancy circular
steps. The ice was filled with up-to-
date young persons on skates.
Barbara Hamilton had been invited
to join a skating party, and she had
for II there was one thing she had all
ways done well 1t was to skate. She
had come, two years ago, from Mon
treal to this middle western town,
not been a very gay one. and of the
sport she loved-skating- had had
none. This was her first opportunity
and she had anticipated 1t with UNI
usual pleasure. Now 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 off. She
had tried to skate with one or two Of
the young men. but when they found
her starting off in the good old FASH
toned gliding motion they were sur
prised and made apologies and ex-
cuses, and did not ask her again. 1t
was as If she had tried to waltz or
polka on a fashionable ballroom floor.
She felt entirely out of place.
Do RI
stopping in the midst of an intricate
one-step variation, don't you skate ?''
Barbara forced laugh. II 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
went on, pulling her skating cap more
closely about her face and being care
full to tease out a curl or two that
might have been hidden by the act.
skater. so I 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 the competition"
suggested the pleasant-faced young
man with Mrs. Holt.
"Oh. would you. Barbara" Mrs.
Holt asked quickly.
l q,
Anything was better than standing or
skating alone.
George Mason is to be one" the
young man went on. May I present
him. Miss Hamilton. and you can talk
| it over? We're to have the prize Zig
ures 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
~{z$kA v1.A
for the couple who does the best hest
tation on ice, the best one-step 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, eff
fervescently.
| She was still talking when her part
ner skated up with quiet looking
man in brown skating costume. George
Mason was duly presented and Mrs
Holt and her partner skated off In
another whirl of steps.
I'm afraid I'm pretty poor selection
for Judge" said Mason. looking down
into Barbara's face. II abominate all
this razzle-dazzle on skates
| Barbara gave him such grateful
look that he stepped back in mock fear.
You do?" she cried. laughing.
i II do he nodded. why? Am
such q social outcast for it?''
"You-you're the first person I've
found tonight who didn't think me
quite antique for saying that OF the
new skating craze" Barbara con-
| fessed.
| George Mason looked at her for q
moment. 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. Ions
graceful strokes and the wind at their
| Ho 20 . ,c
crowd to which they were supposed to
be attached. but so busy were they with
conversation that seemed to tumble
from one subject gayly to another that
they did not notice the distance they
had gone.
Suddenly Barbara drew away from
him and faced him. her hands still in
his The contestr' she cried.
Mason whistled characteristically
The coneest-to be sure! told you
was a fine Judge. did not?"
You are--we're q pcir." laughed
Barbara. I'VE must turn and 60 back
at once. Hear the music! They've
begun!"
80 has something else." retorted
George Mason as they faced the wind
together. This bully friendship with
you" he added.
| ''Thanks,' said Barbara Nothine
else seemed to come to her.
AS they skated against the cold, SHARP
wind. getting nearer and nearer the
strains of music, their conversation
grew less animated. 1t YVES enough thai
they were together in this glorious
crisp air ON % perfect a night, and
neither one seemed to find it necessary
to speak
They were bounced upon veritably by
Mrs. Holt and her partner when they
skated Into the little group near the
bank.
''Where were your Mrs. Holt asled
We've looked everywhere. George
added the young man. who was sun Ma
Hollis partner
Too bad" Mason said, but Miss Ham
flton and / have been taking . bracer. m