Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-01-16
Their Married Life

wobble around. of course. but War
rem will balance you and there will
be other people learning"
Helen restrained q desire to say
something else. for she felt intuitive-
ly that Louise was right and that she
was needlessly sensitive. She felt
that everyone's eyes would be fast
ened on her, but that was foolish af-
ter all. for people would be too busy
having a good time to watch her.
The band in the corner was begin
ming to play a fascinating air, one
that Helen had danced to many times,
and Helen could not help being in
terested. The large place seemed well
filed and the ice looked glorious.
Couples We're twirling around the floor
gracefully and it all looked SO very
easy.
Come on" said Warren skating up
to her. Don't be afraid now, just
lean on me and don't mind if your
ankles feel as if they couldn't sup
port you, that's natural"
Helen had p panicky feeling. She
drew back and was about to refuse
to get UP. but Warren looked so gen.
timely interested and she was so sure
that it would add greatly to his pleas
ure If she could skate that she strug-
gled to her feet and hung trembling
on his arm.
Have you been watching the peo-
pie around you," he asked as he
steadied himself. Just strike out as
you have seen them do, not too long
a stride, just as if you were on roller
skates
Warren held Helen firmly and Helen
made a timid little movement for
ward. She wobbled uncertainty and
was sure she was about to fall, but
when she found that Warren held her
in such a way that it would be inn
possible she gained courage and be-
gan to strike out.
1T is as bad as learning to swim, -
she gasped, II feel so helpless"
You're all right" said Warren en-
couragingly, that's right, strike out
now"
you let me rest now" she said,
after a few minutes, during which
she felt as though she would never
learn, "and I'll watch you. You
mustn't feel as though you have to
drag me around the whole time while
you are down here"
"I want you to learn" Warren in
sisted. I'll keep you out little while
longer. This hasn't been any time
for a lesson"
But really. dear, am tired. I'd
rather watch you skate with some
one, think I'll get on to it better.
Warren skated carefully back to
where the others were crowded, and
as they were about to stop he loos-
ened his hold of Helen somewhat so
that he could swing her around to a
seat. Helen felt his hold slacken,
and Immediately her ankles gave
way and she slid to the ground. War
rem tried to catch her as she fell, but
he could not. right himself.
She was not hurt, and as a dozen
hands reached forward to help her
she struggled to her feet and was
pulled safely to her goal. Had it
been any other time Helen would
have laughed with the rest, but she
was too furious at making what she
thought a spectacle of herself. She
controlled her temper, but angry tears
filled her eyes and for moment she
could not speak.
You're not hurt. are you, dear?"
said Louise in o low voice. bending
over Helen to hide her from the 9TH
ers.
Helen was too choked up to an
swer. She had heard two girls back
of her eXclaim that the rink would
be better if they did not permit be-
ginners to come there. She felt some
how as though Warren had known
and had subjected her to ridicule on
purpose. Anyway, he had promi ised
that she would not fall and she had
been the laughing stock of the place.
Don't bother about me-" she said,
finally, everybody is watching us. Do
skate with Warren"
Louise moved instantly and a mo-
ment later she and Warren were
skimming across the ice. Helen
watching them, nursed her hurt feel
ings in silence. If it hadn't been fol-
the fact that she had given in to
Warren and come here with him
things would not have happened liks
this. After all, wasn't she giving
in to Warren a little tco much foI
his own good and her own peace oi
mind?
(Another instalment in this alb
sorbing series will appear soon or
this page.)