le round
one another. But they do not mix. The girls were pleased. They secured
the services of an elderly lady, the widow of an analytical chemist:
unfortunately, she could not skate. They wrapped her up and put her in a
sledge. While they were in the _garde robe_ putting on their skates, a
German gentleman came up and bowed to them.

He was a nice young man of prepossessing appearance and amiable manners.
They could not call to mind his name, but remembered having met him,
somewhere, and on more than one occasion. The American girl is always
sociable: they bowed and smiled, and said it was a fine day. He replied
with volubility, and helped them down on to the ice. He was really most
attentive. They saw their friend, the officer of noble family, and, with
the assistance of the German gentleman, skated towards him. He glided
past them. They thought that maybe he did not know enough to stop, so
they turned and skated after him. They chased him three times round the
pond and then, feeling tired, eased up and took counsel together.

"I'm sure he must have seen us," said the younger girl. "What does he
mean by it?"

"Well, I have not come down here to play forfeits," said the other,
"added to which I want my breakfast. You wait here a minute, I'll go and
have it out with him."

He was standing only a dozen yards away. Alone, though not a good
performer on the ice, she contrived to cover half the distance dividing
them. The officer, perceiving her, came to her assistance and greeted
her with effusion.

The Republican Idea in practice.

"Oh," said the lady, who was feeling indignant, "I thought maybe you had
left your glasses at home."

"I am sorry," said the officer, "but it is impossible."

"What's impossible?" demanded the lady.

"That I can be seen speaking to you," declared the officer, "while you
are in company with that--that person."

"What person?" She thought maybe he was alluding to the lady in the
sledge. The chaperon was not showy, but, what is better, she was good.
And, anyhow, it was the best the girls had been able to do. So far as
they were concerned, they had no use for a chaperon. The idea had been a
thoughtful concession to European prejudice.

"The person in knickerbockers," explained the officer.

"Oh, _that_," exclaimed the lady, relieved: "he just came up and made
himself agreeable while we were putting on our skates. We have met him
somewhere, but I can't exac