Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1914-12-17

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
on on the dancing floor.
Barbara Hamilton had been invited
to Join skating party. and she had
accepted the Invitation with alacrlty,
for II there was one thing she had
always done well Il was to 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 OF.
She had tried to skate with one or two
Of the young men. but when they
found her starting or 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"
Barb9a forced a laugh. II have
skated Ill 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 I'm 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 d his friend. the Judge OF the
contest. He soon returned with a
auiet-looking man in brown skating
costume George Mason was duly
presented and Mrs. Holt and her part
ner skafed OF In another whirl of
steps.
I'm afraid I'm q pretty poor selec-
tion for Judge" said Mason, looking
down intb Barbara's face. II abom.
mate all this razzle-dazzle on skates"
Barbara gave him such q grateful
look that he stepped back in mock
-fsar- r-.Y DOR she cried. laughing.
II do" he nodded. "Shaf 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.
Az they skated against the cold.
sharp wind. getting nearer and nearer
the strains Of music, their conversa-
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
Il necessary to speak.
They were pounced upon veritably
By Mrs. Holt and her partner when
they skated into the little group near
the bank.
eWhere 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 q
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 on beside George Mason. Il guess
we can tell grace when we see it,any.
way--even IL we are antiques" she
laughed.
Il can-Tve already given the prize
in my own mind" the man laughed.
That's not fair" Barbara replied.
though she knew well 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 Jet I'd like to give them O
prize" Mason said.
.Whyf" asked Barbara
because they introduced me to
you." he said. shamelessly.
Obi" 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