The Ocala evening star., 1915-03-20


couples were skating the one-step,
the hesitation, the fox trot and many
other trots they had slearned TO step
OF 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 it 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 off 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 skate"
Barbara forced a laugh. II have
skated all my life, but I've never
danced on the fce," 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 l present
him?"
Barbara was left with Mrs. Holt
while the young man skated off in
search of his. friend, the Judge of the
contest. He soon returned with a
quiet-looking man in brown skating
costume George Mason was duly
presented and Mrs. Holt and her part
ner skated off 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 all this razzle-dazzle on skates. -
Barbara gave him such a. grateful
look that he stepped back in mock
fear. You do?" she cried, laughing.
'I do" 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 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
1t necessary to speak.
They were pounced upon veritably
| by Mrs. Holt and her partner when
they skated into the little group near
| the bank.
Where we're 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 I have been taking a
.bracer, an old-fashioned turn up the
river and back. Where do we stand? p
over by the musicians" Mrs. Holt
remarked. And do your best-it's sc
exciting" she gushed.
I'VE will" Barbara returned, skat
ing off beside George Mason. Il guess
we can tell grace when we see it,any
way-even if we are antiques" she
laughed
Il can-I've 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 yet I'd like to give them q
prize Mason said.
''Why?" asked Barbara
Because they introduced me tc
| 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
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-