The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-01-01

monds - ---l
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 a skating party, and she had
accepted the invitation with alacrity.
for If 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 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 we're
surprised and made apologies and ex-
cuses, and did not ask her again.
tOh, Barbara" cried her hostess,
stopping 10 the midst OF an intricate
one-step variation, don't you skater"
Barbara forced a laugh. 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.
sOh. would YOU Barbara? 2" Mrs.
Holt asked, quickly.
IF I 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 a
quiet-Iooking man in brown skating
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. I abom
/ mate ali this razzle-dazzle on skates
Barbara gave him such a grateful
look that he stepped back in mock
fear you dor she cried. laughing.
Il do he nodded Shall We skate
+ as we please and defy eonyention?" BIZ
asked.
i For answer Barbara turned ant
crossed her arms, giving him her RICH
s hand in his right under her left arm
and they swayed away together.
AS they skated against the cold
sharp. wind. getting nearer and neare
the strains OF music. their converse
ton grew less animated. It wa
enough that they were together in thi
glorious crisp air on SO perfect ,
. night, and neither one seemed to fn'
it necessary to speak
They were pounced upon yeritabl,
by Mrs. Holt and her partner whel
they skated into the little group nea
the bank
Where were your Mrs. Holt asked
We've looked everywhere, George,
added the young man, who was still
|, Mrs. Hollis partner.
100 bad" Mason said, but Mis-
! Hamilton and have been taking
bracer, an old-fashioned turn up tn
river and back Where do we stand
over by the musicians, Mrs. Hol
!. remarked And do your best-it's 8
exciting, she gushed.
I'VE will, Barbara returned. ska
ing of beside George Mason. Il CUES
we can tell grace when we see it,ano
way even Il We are antiques, sh
laughed
Il can-I've already given the pTiz
in my own mind" the man laughed.
That's not fair. Barbara replied
I though she knew well what he meani
After that they gave their attentio
]. to the figures and elected the couple
who seemed most deserving Of tn
trophies. Mrs. Holt and her your
partner were not among the prize wiz
{ ners. for both Barbara and her co
I league decided that their steps wer
!. too exaggerated for grace.
"And yet I'd like to give them
prize Mason said
"Why?' asked Barbara.
because they introduced me {
Z you, he said. shamelessly.
81 Oil" Barbara said, compreheI
siyely.
The trophies were presented at tn
!: little supper party at the home of Mr.
Holt, and at 1t Barbara and Georg
Mason sat side by side and talked I
Z no one but each other and thought {
s no one but each other All OF whic
Z was not very polite, but all is fair /
s some phases Of life, and this was on
& of the phases-it was love.
y