Tensas gazette., 1917-12-28

Her feet numb with the unaccus-
toned weight of the skates, Helen
struggled around the rink, leaning
heavily on Warren rm.
The roof garden of the Astor-Ritz.
converted into an outdoor skating rink,
was crowded with devotees of the new
craze.
1t was q fashion show on ice.
warren l can't can't go around
again."
With a 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 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 a thrill of pride
Helen watched him glide through the
most intricate figures with easy grace.
"ReadyT' 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 kneesl Keep your
feet under yOu-don't let 'em slide off
70 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
ime," Warren chuckled.
"Oh, dear, l don't believe I'll ever
learn" walled Helen.
Nonsense! Strike out-make some
effort! Lift your left foot. That's it A!
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 a seat, War
zen 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
1ence," by way of introduction. This
IS only her second time on the ice"
Then, with the air of having shed q
hampering burden, Warren glided off,
leaving Helen in the hands Of the in
structor.
He was a blase youth, with light
hair and blotched complexion. With
bored expression he chewed gum and
guided Helen around the rink.
"You ought to have flatfOot skates,
It was his first remark. How'd you
come to get rockers"
Rockers? Why, Mr.. Curtis bought
them for me. Aren't they rightT'
"Take you twice as long to learn" /"
ndifferently.
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
air, he glanced at his watch, she flared
put an indignant:
you needn't finish the lesson. I've
1ad quite enough. Please take me
pack to the bench. Send Mr.. Curtis
10 me-"
With an astonished stare he accept
ID his dismissal. skated over to War
ren. delivered the message and left
the rink.
"Well. how'd you get on?" demanded
Warren. "Time up"
"Oh, he was horrid!. He didn't even
try to help me. But he did say one
thing-that 1 ought to begin on flat
skates"
"Flat skates!" with a snort. "Well,
you'll learn right or not at ALL"
"But, dear. anything to make II
,asier now-while I'm learning"
"Clear the ice for an exhibition ~
oared an attendant.
There was a general scurry as a
Thite-costumed couple stepped out.
christina and Adolph Hofmann,
from the Ice Palace of Stockholm" /"
was the shouted introduction.
With dashing speed they plunged
INTO an exhibition of spectacular skat-
ing. 1t was picturesque scene, the
white figures flying over the ice under
the glowing japanese lanterns and the
clear star-pierced sky.
The glass-prOtected orchestra
throbbed an accelerated waltz, as
Christina swayed. leaped. cavorted. her
fur-edged, pink-lined skirt swirling
straight with her dizzy toe spins. As
1 triumphant finale, Hofmann held
,er aloft. while he executed a daring
sgure, ending in a mad whirl.
The exhibition over, the applauding
audience swarmed back on the ice.
"Oh, not after that" protested
Helen.
Gut Warren dragged her out and put