e beginning; while the younger ones, and especially the children,
were full of mirth and jollity, challenging each other to trials of
speed and skill, laughing good-naturedly at little mishaps, and
exchanging jests and good humored banter.

And Cousin Ronald added to the fun by causing them to hear again and
again sounds as of jingling sleighbells and prancing horses in their
rear. So distinct and natural were these sounds that they could not help
springing aside out of the track of the supposed steeds, and turning
their heads to see how near they were.

Then shouts of laughter would follow from old and young of both sexes,
mingled with little shrieks, half of affright and half of amusement
from the girls.

While all this was going on, Capt. Raymond was giving Lulu her first
lesson in the use of skates, holding her hand in his, guarding her
carefully from the danger of falling.

But for that she would have fallen several times, for it seemed almost
impossible to keep her balance; however she gained skill and confidence;
and at length asked to be allowed to try it for a little unaided.

He permitted her to do so, but kept very near to catch her in case she
should slip or stagger.

She succeeded very well and after a time he ceased to watch her
constantly, remaining near her, but taking his eyes off her now and then
to see what others were doing; noting with fatherly pride in his son,
how Max was emulating the older skaters, and returning a joyous look and
smile given him by Gracie, as she swept past in the sleigh.

It presently stopped a few paces away, and he made a movement as if
to go and lift her out, but at the sound of a thud on the ice behind
him, turned quickly again to find Lulu down.

She had thrown out her hands in falling, and he felt a thrill of horror
as he perceived that one of them lay directly in the path of a skater,
Chester Dinsmore, who was moving with such velocity that he would not
be able to check his speed in time to avoid running over her.

But even while he perceived her peril the captain had, with an almost
lightning like movement, stooped over his child and dragged her
backward. Barely in time; Chester's skate just grazed her fingers,
cutting off the tip of her mitten. There were drops of blood on the ice,
and for a moment her father thought her fingers were off.

"Oh my child, my darling!" he groaned, holding her close in his arms and
taking the bleeding hand tenderly in his.

"I