Tensas gazette., 1917-12-28
CCopyrigh lgl7 by he Newspaper syndicate)

her through another ten minutes Of
persistent, rigorous coaching.
BY this time she was chilled through.
with Redeemed nose and wind-blown
hair. Warren. relentless, would not
let her stop for repairs.
"Never mind your hair-this's no
beauty contest. You're learning to
skate"
"But my ankles are giving out
can't"
way to strengthen them. Come
on, now-take longer strokes"
Hello, Curtis What're you doing
here?" a tall, shaggy-coated man bore
down upon them. Didn't think you'd
fall for this skating craze"
Jack Wheelerw beamed Warren.
well, it's made lot of the old-timers
get their skates out of camphor.
How're you making outT
Little stiff in the joints. Nearly
broke my neck out there on an inside
back three
THAT always was a nasty turn.
Have you met Mrs. Curtis?'
Dear, I've had enough" conscious
of her redeemed dishevelment "You
skate with Mr.. Wheeler-Tll go in"
'Oh. no, you're not through yet Got
to get our four bucks worth. You rest
here while 1 take a turn with
Wheeler"
As they spun off, Helen glanced long
ingly toward the exit. If only she
could get into the dressing room to fix
her loosened hair. She would have to
go half way around the rink on the
ice. Dared she risk it? Gingerly she
rose. dug her skates into the ice, and
holding to the railing, minced toward
the steps.
Just then two women, skating to-
gether, lost their balance and lurched
heavily against her. They did not &C
down. but Helen. knocked from her
insecure footing. fell sprawling.
The next second a man was lifting
her TO her feet, while others gathered
up her vanity bag and its frivolous
contents. scattered over the ice.
Helen had just regained her footing
her hat awry, her face crimson with
modification, when Warren dashed up
"What the Sam Hill are you trying
to do?"
"Oh, don't-don't talk! Just get me
inw
With perfunctory thanks to the gen.
tleman who was still holding her, War.
ren helped her to the exit and hall
lifted her up the steps. From there
without a word, Helen hobbled into the
ladies' dressing room.
Take these skates Off-quick tc
the maid, as she dropped into a chair
Deity the maid unlaced the skit
ing boots, loosened the clinging silk
stockings from under the toes. and but
toned on Helen's trim shoes.
Haven't got your skates OFF," War
rem appeared at the door. "Why. it's
only ten. We've a whole hour before
they close up"
do you think I'd go out there
again?" flauntingly.
"Why not. Can't learn to skate
without few tumbles. Be a sport
Come on-take another crack at It,"
But Helen's self-consciOusness was
too acute. After her humiliating fal
not even Warren's insistence could
lure her back on the ice.
A light buffet supper was included
in the two dollars admission to the
roof, and now, with dlsgruntlet
growl. Warren, stirl on his skates, lee
! the way to the glass-inclosed restau
rant.
The head waiter seated them at 6
table facing the rink, and only a few
feet from the skaters as they whizzet
by.
"Who's that girl Wheeler's withY
Warren leaned forward. "By lingo
she can skate. Didn't pick up thai
bracket turn in any three lessons"
With brooding envy and a distinc-
feeling of being "out Of It," Heller
watched the graceful figure in tn,
mole-trimmed suit.
"Oh, could never do that" wist
fully.
"You could II you thought more
about the way you set your feet an(
less about the powder on your nose
It's your Internal conceit-you thinl
everybody's watching you. Next tim'
we go skating it'll be on a countr,
pond, and you'll not doll up. You'll
wear q gooG thick sweater and ear
muffs-and I'll put you through som,
stunts"
Anything to drink. sir?"
eyes, q Bronx-and bring 1t quick.
Then. as the waiter hurried off "Neet
something bracing after carting yo,
around. Talk about dead weights
you were about as supple as q mool!
cow!"