The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-11-09
THE D TELEGRAPH
rcopwlcht. 1909. by Che S. 8. Mcclure
 Componyl


 Companyl
 Lazlly Linyard watched the blue coated figure toilng slowly up Che h.li from the stntion. Win. . wondered. had sent town mg O r out Co | Wocdcrcst? Uc was h3,t tempted to rise and meet the lad. but Che Juno day | lad an crcryaung breath, and, besides, thc nalc n yht be for Clifford.
 Cunord owned Woodcrest and Lin- yard had only run down for the week end. Presently the boys slow feet crmchcd upon the gravel walk. Clif ford stepped out through the library window.
 "Ect the clgarsits for you Walt" he suggested, Cor better sdll, from Jane Burton"
 Llnyard flushed, though be tried to speak carelcssly as he said, "Ill take you. for there's no such lucl.'
 The boy was at the step now, and both men reached out their hands.
 "For Mir Walter Lnyard,' the youngster said as he reached out a square envelope addressed in a hand | that caused Linyord's heart to beat fust
 Clifford chuckled "I win," he de- clared. And Llnyard. deep in porusol Of bis letter. could only nod assent The eager face turned to blank aston l lshment. however. as he read. When he reached the familiar signature, he began and read it an over again and then burst out
 "Thists quite beyond mel!
 "Any way can help, old manT
 Llnyord thrust the letter in his hand. and thls is what clifford read:
 Town. June 0 My Dear Mr Llny1rd-Forgiyo mp for my refusal Co answer you when you d'd me the honor 90 week ago of asking mo Co marry you ! win have Go explain Che pe- l cular position ln which ] am placed. l When 1 made my debut ln society I1Hi ] fuU. my aunt Wlo U9 you know. has Nr'H 1 both father and mother to me, made m. promise that I would accept no proposal untu thc end of my first season, and now ! tbat the season is ended ] And myself m | a dilemma There arc seven men among | whom ! really cannot decide You arc | one of Che seven.
 | have therefore decided Co leave Che l decision in tho hands Of fate and me one | terprlse of those who seek my hand. am leaving on Che American liner today l and I win accept tho first proposal Co reach me from one of thc seven. l I.ottcrn similar to this will bo delivered | half nm hour after Che steamer sails Co | tho other six. SO that you may all have an even chance. TO rests with you, Fuith- | fully yours. JEANNETTE BURTON.
 clifford handed back the letter with low whistle "Can't say I blame her much. though hc'remarked. "She was by far the prcttlest debutante of th, season, and the chaps of our set are SC much alike it's hard to choose between them. Going In to wln|
 Llnyard nodded, then squared hi. shoulders reassuringly as be said. "Iu going to cable Queenstown to catcl the steamer in the channel"
 Tint will be nice, returned Clifford comfortingly. "By that time she will have had time Co write letters to four out of the other five telling them thC lucky man got his wireless telegram aboard at Nantucket"
 Linyard grIucd his teeth. Then he turned to his friend desperately. "Se' here; I've simply got to get my proposal in first How can do itT'
 But clifford sat there in a brown study. Suddenly his friends face frightened. Lets go bluenshIng on tho Ariel" he said quickly. And Clt. ford, with the light Of sudden under. standing on his face. nodded On assent
 Late that afternoon there was a com. motion on the bridge of the New York Not far ahead a schooner yacht acted as though bent on self destruction hy | perslstcnuy getting in the steamers way. The first officer reached for tht whistle cord.
 As the ho0rse notes boomed out across the water the yacht dispIa ed the signal flags for "I want Co speak to you" and a minute later with engines stopped. the huge steamer lay Go. New York. ohoyw hailed the yachts man through the megophone. "Is Mss Burton on boardT
 There was a wild scramble among the passengers lining the rail Present ly a slender girllsh figure mounted the bridge
 "Thls is Miss Burton" shouted thc first officer, indicating her with hie | trumpet
 Clear and sharp came back Che reply "This is Mir. Linyard. I want to know if she win marry mcY
 A cheer went up from the crowded deck. Then the answer rang back as clearly, "She says she will"
 "Tell her leave on Soturdoy's steamer Thanks and goodby."
 Avery much disgusted officer reached for the indicator and pulled it yiciously to full speed ahead"
 On deck the Ariel, Llnyard turned | joyfully to his friend. "Jlm,' he said fervently, "thcre are times when a schooner yacht beats even wireless te. legraphy. Let's go below and offer up a llbatlon to my engagement
 EPES W. SARGENT.