The Omaha morning bee., 1925-03-29


insisted upon presiding over the
chalk box at the curve nearest the
finish line.
Ammonias advent was the signal
for tumultuous applause. She was
clad In new sport suit Of white
trimmed layishly with cerise. On her
ample feet were new laced boots and
she wore about her ebony throat a
lambs wool scarf such as she had
seen In moving pictures of colder
countries.
Zero Harris. whose role was that OF
master OF ceremonies, eyed her long
ingly and only the fear OF public re
Ing a reconciliation.
As matter of fact, Ammonia had
long since wearied of the warfare.
But lest he might presume that her
pride was not SO strong as his, she
maintained an attitude of severe
aloofness which dissuaded him from
attempting eleventh.hour amends.
Mr.. Mashby made his way through
the excited throng toward Zero's
private office. A bit of disconcerting
dialogue came to his ears.
This race sho'lv gwine be a fine
thing 70 Zero Harris commented
the first voice.
How come2'
Hes pow'ful fond of Ammonia
Minis. aint he?'
you said It.
"An' Ammonia IL gwne win, ain I
she2'
"Irh-huh Barrin' accidents"
AN she's gwine be terrible CRATE
full to the man which taught her to
skate"
"Shuah-but heard tell 1t was Sc
more which fust thunk of havin' the
race"
That don't make no Offence. Does
gal git popular on account she does
somethin' she is gwine be grateful to
the man which taught her how to do
same"
This, indeed, was new angle TO
the situation. 1t had not occurred to
him that Ammonia s gratitude would
he directed other than in his direc-
ton. Contemplation of that possibil.
ity was vastly disturbing. "Dawg-
sone," he soliloquized. III tha's the
way she looks at II, l mos hope she
loses"
He> returned 10 the enclosure and
beckoned to Ammonia.
Il has arranged things so that you
is closest TO the ropes when the race
stahts. Ammonia. You jes' keep on
the inside an all them other gals will
have to swing wide on the turns so
you won't have to travel near so fast
as they does
lie laid a tentative finger on her
arm-"An' don't you go forgittin''
Miss Minis. that I thank up this race
also boughten the solid silver cup
which you wins.
She fla shed him a radiant smile.
I amt forgittin. Mistuh Mashby. ]
never forgits nothin', no time And
in her mind was remembrance OF the
deal by which Semore had euchered
Zero Harris out OF many dollars.
A whistle shriled. the orchestra
droned off into silence. the crowd
stilled. With some difficulty Zero
lined up the racers. putting Ammonia
nearest the ropes.
"On vo' mark. Get set"' And thu
tiny revolver cracked and they wer'
off - = - :
Ella Dungee and Ammonia Minis
fla shed ahead of the crowd. But al
though Ella was speedy. Ammonia s
n
enable her 10 hold the inside and she
rounded the first curve inches ahead
OF Ella and comfortably in the lead
of the others.
Before the completion OF tho first
lap The racers had divided into two
distinct groups. the leaders consisting
OF Ammonia. Ella. Dungee, Mrs
ford.
They completed the second lap. and
the third. Msudine Pigford was tir-
ing and Mallissie Cheese was pulling
away from the tailenders and bid
ding for position among the lead
ers. They reached the north curve.
swung by semore Mashby and set
or on the fifth lap. At a signal
from Semore. each Of the officials
seized his can OF powdered chalk and
sprinkled Il on that section OF the
track Immediately before him.
Ammonia heightened her stroke.
She held close into the ropes as she
neared Semore. crossing right leg
over left with each powerful thrust
The gap between her and Mrs. Chew
her nearest rival. widened. She
smiled warmly at the wizened Mr..
Mashby and then
Something happened The feet OF
Ammonia Minis divorced themselves
from the ground. A portion Of Miss
Minis not generally employed in
Skating placed itself where the feet
had been.
There was roar Of surprise
sprinkled with laughter. Ammonia
clambered to her feet and set out in
pursuit of Ella Dungee and Mrs
Chew. both of whom had passed her.
She could hear occasional hits of
merriment but she WAS undaunted.
Employing all of her latent speed
she had passed both the leaders he
fore again reaching the turn where
Semore Mashhy stood industriously
sprinkhne chalk on the floor.
Ammonia wss angry Laugh ~
her. would they She determined 10
make runaway race Of II right
there, Her feet fairly twinkled as
she rounded the curve and shot by
Semores post.
And then 1t happened again. Only
this time II occurred twice as fore.
ihlv. The crowd shrieked with
laughter. The other skaters. swing
ing wide 10 avoid the PROSTATE zig.
ure. shot hv. She noticed the other
women on the far turn. all swinging
wide. She alone had the knack OF