Pattys Suitors | Page 5

signal the young people started
from their opposite ends of the room and endeavoured to make progress toward the goal
as they blindly stumbled along.
Patty concluded to move very slowly, thinking this the surest way to make a successful
trip. So she scuffled along among the other laughing girls, now and then stumbling over a
hillock, which was really a hassock or a sofa cushion under the white floor covering. It
was great fun, and the girls cheered each other on as they pursued their blinded way. And
then about midway of the room they met the boys coming toward them. Then there was
scrambling, indeed, as the explorers tried to get out of each other's way and follow their
own routes.
It was a very long room, and Patty hadn't gone much more than halfway, when she
concluded to give up the race as being too tiresome. She made her way to the side of the
room, and reaching the wall she took off her blinding handkerchief and kicked off the
snowshoes. To her great surprise she found that many of the other girls and some of the
boys had done the same thing, and not half of the original contestants were still in the
race. And, indeed, it proved to be much greater fun to watch those who were still blindly
groping along, than to stay in the game.
At last the game was concluded, as Roger Farrington proudly planted his flag at the very
spot that designated the North Pole, and not long after, Clementine Morse succeeded in

safely reaching the South Pole. So the beautiful rugs were given to these two as prizes,
and every one agreed that they had earned them.
Then, amid much laughter, everybody was unblindfolded. and they all sat around on the
snow mounds waiting for the next game.
A big snow man was brought in and set in the centre of the room. Of course it was not
real snow, but made of white plaster, gleaming all over with diamond dust. But it was the
traditional type of snow man, with a top hat on, and grotesque features.
In the mouth of the figure was a cigarette, and each guest was presented with a few
snowballs, made of cotton wool. The game was to knock the cigarette from the snow
man's mouth with one of the snowballs.
Of course the cigarette was so arranged that the lightest touch of a ball would dislodge it,
and as one cigarette was displaced, Mr. Homer supplied another.
The guests had been divided into two parties, and each side strove to collect the greater
number of cigarettes.
Some balls flew very wide of the mark, while others with unerring aim would hit a
cigarette squarely.
The game caused great hilarity, and everybody was anxious to throw balls. They threw in
turn, each having three balls at a time.
Patty was especially deft at this, and with true aim succeeded several times.
Then when they tired of this play, a few more dances followed before it was time to go
home.
Some attendants came in and whisked away the snow hillocks and floor covering, leaving
the ballroom once again in order for dancing.
"Makes me feel young again, to play those kiddy games," said Kenneth, as he was
dancing with Patty.
"I like them," returned Patty; "I hate to think that my childhood is over, and I love games
of any kind."
"Your childhood will never be over," returned Kenneth; "I think you are the incarnation
of youth, and always will be."
"I'm not so much younger than you."
"Five years,--that's a long time at our age. By the way, when are the Hepworths coming
home?"
"Next week; and we're planning the loveliest reception for them. You know their

apartment is all ready, and we're going to have just a few people to supper there, the night
they return."
"Shall I be one of the few?"
"Well, rather! The best man at the wedding must surely be at the home-coming. Doesn't it
seem funny to think of Christine as mistress of her own home? She'll be perfectly lovely,
I know. My goodness gracious! Ken, what time is it? I'm afraid I'm staying too late. I
promised Nan I'd leave at half-past twelve."
"It's not much more than that. Can't you stay for another dance?"
"No, I can't possibly. I must run right away, or my motor car will turn into a pumpkin,
and Louise into a white mouse. Take me to Mrs. Homer, please, and I will say good-night
to her."
But as they crossed the room, they met Van Reypen coming toward them.
"Our dance, I think," he said, coolly, as he took Patty's hand.
The music had just started, and its beautiful rhythm was too