The Ordway new era., 1917-11-30

cheStra 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 devotees of the new
craze.
1t was a fashion show on ice.
"Warren I can't can't go around
ngain!'
With grunt of disdain he let her
sink on one of the benches. Then. free
from her incumbering restraint, he
swung off to the center, where 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. "No, you're not going to sit
there! 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 'em slide off
to the side"
Trying to remember all these in
structions, Helen floundered 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 fig
ure just ahead was clutching her
escort with wabbling insecurity.
"Huh, thought she was goner that
time," Warren chuckled.
"Oh, dear, I 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
things-it only confuses me-"
"All right. I'm not keen for the
job" and, plotting her to seat, War
ren left the rink and stamped into the
office.
When he 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 n
hampering burden, Warren glided of,
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 and
guided Helen around the rink.
"You ought to have flatfoot skates"
1t 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"
indinerently.
For the next ten minutes he piloted
her along in languid gum-chewing ST.
lence, not troubling to direct her awk-
ward efforts.
"Do I lift my feet enough?" deter
mined to force some Instructions.
"Oh, thatll come. You can't do
much the first lesson"
To Helen the intimate closeness Of
skating with this blotched-face, gum
chewing youth was most repugnant.
When for the second time, with bored
mir, he glanced at his watch, she fared
out an indignant:
"You needn't finish the lesson. I've
had quite enough. Please take me
back to the bench. Send Mr.. Curtis
to me-"
With an ,astonished stare he accept
ed his dismissal, skated over to War
rem, delivered the message and left
the rink.
.swell, how'd you get sn7" demanded
Warren. 'Time up?"
"Oh, he was horrid! He didn't even
try to help me. But he did say one
thing--that ought to begin on fat
skates"
"Flat skatesr ~ with snort. "Well,
you1l learn right or not at all"
.But. dear, anything to make It
easier now-while I'm learning"
"Clear the Ice for an exhibition ]"
| roared an attendant.
There was general scurry ~ Q
vhite-costumed couple stepped out.
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