The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1915-01-14

i i,aLnda floor of dia- <14#4r 1IN
Keeping abreast Of the times, the
the hesitation, the fox trot and many
other trots they had learned to step
off on the dancing floor.
Barbara Hamilton had been invited
to join skating party, and she had
accepted the invitation with alacr:
for if there was one thing she had
always done we'll 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 of 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"
Barbara forced laugh. 81 have
skated all my life, but I've never
danced on the 1ce," 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.
III 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.
tion for judge said Mason, looking
down into Barbaras face. Il abom.
mate all this raZzle-daZzle on skates.
Barbara gave him such grateful
look that he stepped back in mock
fear. "You do?" she cried, laughing.
Il 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 converse
ton grew less animated. 1t was
enough that they were together in this
glorious crisp air on so perfect q
night, and neither one seemed to fine
1t necessary to speak.
They we're bounced upon vertically
by Mrs. Holt and her partner wher
they skated into the little group neal
the bank.
where were you?" 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 l have been taking e
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 sc
exciting" she gushed.
HTyo will p,choro vo%,~ood oV,o<
ing of beside George Mason. Il guess
we can tell grace when we see it,any
way-even II we are antiques" she
laughed.
II can-Ive already given the prize
in my own mind" the man laughed.
That's not fair" Barbara replied
though she knew we'll 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 8
prize" Mason said.
"Why?" asked Barbara.
Because they introduced me t.
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 tc
no one but each other and thought ri
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.