The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-10-20

Lift your feet-dont slide EN-! and
relax" instructed Warren. You're
stiff as a ramrod. Try to sway from
your hips
Dear my ankles ache so! Let me
sit down-just for second"
You'll never learn to skate if you
funk down every five minutes. Here,
as the orchestra struck up, now try
TO catch the swing of this. Take even
strokes"
Her feet numb with the unaccus
toned weight of the skates, Helen
struggled around the rink, leaning
heavily on Warren's arm.
The roof garden of the Astor-Ritz
converted into an outdoor skating
rink. was crowded with devctees of
tire new craze.
1t was a fashion show on ice. Even
the beginners, who chung to their
supporting escorts, were smartly
gowned in short-skirted kid and fur
trimmed sport suits, with high-laced
boots and skates gleamingly new.
Warren. I can't can't go around
again."
With a grunt Of disdain he let her
sink on one Of the benches. Then,
Tree from her incumbering restraint,
he swung off to the center, where a
few of the more skillful were doing
figures.
Warren, who at college had been
captain of the hockey team, was an
expert skater With thrill Of pride,
Helen watched him glide through the
most intricate figures with easy grace.
Ready" again he swooped down
upon her! The only way to learn to
skate-is to skate"
my feet are numb. It's these shoes
they're laced too tight"
That's all right. you want 'em
tight. Bend your knees! Keep YOUR
feet under you--don't let EN- slide
of to the side" '..
Trying to remember all these in
structions, Helen f1oundered on.
You're clumsy enough, but, thank
heaven, you're not fat! Look at that
tame hippo! Jove, I'd hate to have to
steer her around"
A grotesquely stout, white-furred
figure just ahead was clutching her
escort with wabbling insecurity.
that time" Warren chuckled. These
old girls are in for some good hard
bumps trying to be in style. It's a
cinch for the liniment trust"
20 dear. don't believe I'll ever
learn" walled Helen.
Nonsense, Strike out--make some
effort Lift your left foot. That's It!
No don't bend forward, Keep your
feet together"
"Then get me an instructor" des-
perately. You tell me too many
tnings--it only confuses me-"
"All right I'm not keen for the
Job" and, plotting her to a seat. War
rem left the rink and stamped into the
office.
When ne came out one OF the uni
formed instructors was with him.
"Mrs. Curtis hasn't much conf.
dence," by way Of introduction. This
Is only her second time on the ice"
Then, with the air Of having shed
hampering burden. Warren glided off
leaving Helen in the hands Of the in
structor.
He was a blase youth with light
hair and a blotched complexion. With
bored expression he chewed gum
end guided Helen around the rink.
you ought to have flatfoot skates"
Il was his first remark. How'd you
come to get rockers"
Rockers? Why. Mr.. Curtis bought
them for me. Aren't they right"
Take you twice as long to learn"
For the next ten minutes he piloted
her along in languid gum-chewing 81
lence. not troubling to direct her awk.
ward efforts
DO lift my feet enough" determ.
ined to force some instructions.
''0h, that1l come. You can't DO
much the first lesson"
To Helen the intimate closeness Of