The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-03-20
CHAPTER |.

~ 1T least one MuiUef ana sew
Il eral sudden deaths For that
reason it begins with pink
tea and among the mingled odors Of
many delicate perfumes and The hale,
frank smell Of Caroline Testout roses.
There had been great number OF
debutanteS coming out that season in
san Francisco by means of afternoon
teas. pink. lavender and otherwise.
This particular tea was well intended
10 celebrate the fact that Josie Herrick
had arrived at that time of her life
when she was TO wear her hair high
aud her gowns long and 10 have n
day" of her own quite distinct from
that of her mother.
Ross Wilbur presented himself at the
Herrick house on Pacific avenue much
600 early upon the afternoon Of Miss
Hegrcll's tea. As he made his way
up the eaHvased stairs lie was aware
of a terrifying array Of millinery and Il
dSquieting staccato chatter Of fcmi-
nine voices In the parlorS and reception
rooms on either side Of the hallway. A
single high hat in the room that had
been set apart for the mems use con
ilrmed him In his suspicious
Might have known 1t would lie a
hen party tin anyhow" he muttercd,
swinging out Of his overcoat "lct
don't know one girl IN twenty down
there now all mammals friends nj this
hour, and papa's maiden sisters and
JOS schoalteachers and goyeruesses
and music teachers, and don't know
what ALL
When he went down he found II pre-
clsely as he expected He went up 10
Miss lEerrick, where she stood receiv-
Ing with her mother aud two of the
other girls, and allowed them to chan
linn on his forlornness.
Maybe seem at my ease" said
Ross Wilbur to them, "but really am
very much frightened, I'm going to
run away as soon as it is decently
possible, even before, unless you feed
me"
II believe you had luncheon not two
hours ago" said Miss IIcrrich GONE
along, though. and I'll give you some
chocolate and perhaps. II you're good,
Il stuffed olive. | got them just he
cause knew you liked them bought
To stay here and receive, so | can't look
after yWl for long
s. The two fought their way through
the crowded rooms TO the luncheon tn
bic, and Miss Ierrick rot Wilbur bis
chocolate aud his stuffed olives They
sat down and talked in window re-
cess for Il moment, Wilbur tocing III in
absurd fashion as be tried TO make 4
Tap for his plato
II thought said Miss Herrick. that
you were going on the Ridgeways'
yachting party this afternoon Mrs,
Ridgewny said she was counting on
YOU They were going out with the
Petrol"
"She didn't count above hundred,
though" answered Wilbur. Il got your
bid first, so / regretted the yachting
party and ! guess I'd have regretted it
anyhow" And he grinned at her over
bis cup.
Nice man." she said, adding on the
instant. II must 20 now, Ross
wait till eat the sugar out OF my
cup" complained Wilbur. "Tell me"
he added scraping vigorously at the
bottom of the cup with the inadequate
spoon tell mcguire going TO the
hocdoWn tonight
III you mean the assembly-yes, |
am"
"Will you give me the first and last"
I'll give you the first and you can
ask fer the last them
Lets put 1t down. | know you'll
forget it." Wilbur drew Il couple of
cards from his ease.
programmes are not good form any
more" said Miss lIerick.
Forgetting dance is worse"
He made out the cards. writing on
the one he kept for himself, First
Vallejo"
Il must 20 back now" said Miss
Ilerrick, getting up.
''ln that case | shall run. I'm afraid
OF girls
Its pity about you"
81 am. One girl, don't say, but girl
in the aggregate. like this" and he
pointed his chin toward the thro1ged
'vgrlors. 1T humans me-"
"Goodby, then"
"Goodby until tonight about
about g.
about 0. then"
Ross Wilbur made his alden to Mrs
Herrick ami the girls who were receiv-
ing and took himself away. As he
came out Of the house and stood for a
moment Oh the steps. settling his hat
gingerly upon his hair SO as not to
disturb the parting, he was not by any
means an i'll looking chap. His good
height was helped out by his long coat
and his high silk hat. and there was
plenty Of Jaw in the lower part of his
face Nor was his tailor altogether
answerable for his shoulders. Three
years before this time Ross Wilbur
had pulled Mt No, ) In his varsity boat
IN an eastern college that was not ac-
cust0med to athletic discontinue.
Il wonder what I'm going TO do with
myself until supper time" be muttered
as he came down the steps. feeling for