or, The Silver Skates 361

eager, glowing faces, unnoticed before. Katrinka is there, and
Hilda ; but Gretel and Rychie are in the rear. Gretel is waver-
ing; but, when Rychie passes her, she starts forward afresh.
Now they are nearly beside Katrinka. Hilda is still in advance :
she is almost “home.” She has not faltered since that bugle-
note sent her flying: like an arrow, still she is speeding toward
the goal. Cheer after cheer rises in the air. Peter is silent;
but his eyes shine like stars. “¢ Huzza! Huzza!”

The crier’s voice is heard again.

“ HILDA VAN GLECK, ONE MILE!”

A loud murmur of approval runs through the crowd, catch-
ing the music in its course, till all seems one sound, with a
glad, rhythmic throbbing in its depths. When the flag waves,
all is still.

Once more the bugle blows a terrific blast. It sends off the
boys like chaff before the wind, — dark chaff, I admit, and in
big pieces.

It is whisked around at the flagstaff, driven faster yet by the
cheers and shouts along the line. We begin to see what is
coming. There are three boys in advance, this time, and all
abreast, — Hans, Peter and Lambert. Carl soon breaks the
ranks, rushing through with a whiff. Fly, Hans; fly, Peter:
don’t let Carl beat again ! — Carl the bitter, Carl the insolent.
Van Mounen is flagging ; but you are as strong asever. Hans
and Peter, Peter and Hans: which is foremost? We love
them both. We scarcely care which is the fleeter.

Hilda, Annie and Gretel, seated upon the long crimson bench,
can remain quiet no longer. ‘They spring to their feet, so dif-
ferent ! and yet one in eagerness. Hilda instantly reseats her-
self: none shall know how interested she is; none shall know
how anxious, how filled with one hope. Shut your eyes, then,
Hilda, hide your face rippling with joy. Peter has beaten.