or, The Silver Skates 33

Before long our merry boys and girls were almost lost in
the confusion of bright colors, the ceaseless motion and the
gleaming of skates flashing back the sunlight. We might
have known no more of them, had not the whole party
suddenly come to a standstill, and, grouping themselves
out of the way of the passers-by,
all talked at once to a pretty little
maiden, whom they had drawn
from the tide of people flowing
toward the town.

“O Katrinka!” they cried in a
breath, “have you heard of it?
The race — we want you to join!”

«What race?” asked Katrinka,
laughing. ‘ Don’t all talk at once,

please: I can’t understand.”
Every one panted and looked at

Rychie Korbes, who was their ac-
knowledged spokeswoman.

“Why,” said Rychie, “we are
to have a grand skating-match on
the 20th, on Mevrouw ! van Gleck’s
birthday. It’s all Hilda’s work.
They are going to give a splendid , yoreypam MaRKET-WoMAN.
prize to the best skater.”

“ Yes,” chimed ina half a dozen voices, — “a beautiful pair
of silver skates — perfectly magnificent ! with oh, such straps
and silver bells and buckles ! ”

“ Vho said they had bells? ” put in the small voice of the
boy with the big name.

 

1 Mrs., or madame (pronounced meffrow).
3