Evening journal., 1904-04-15
CHAPTER 1.

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 a great number Of
debutantes coming OUT that season in
San francisco by means of afternoon
teas, pink, lavender and otherwise.
1his particular tea was well intended
70 celebrate the fact that Josie Herrick
had arrived at that time Of her life
when she was to wear her hair high
and her gowns long and to have a
day Of her own quite distinct from
tlat OF her mother.
Ross. Wilbur presented himself at the
Iinrrick house On Pacific avenue much
too early upon the afternoon OF Miss
Merricks tea. AS he made his way
up the canvased stairs he was aware
Of terrifying array OF millinery and O
disquieting staccato chatter of femi-
nine voices in the parlors and reception
fooms on either side Of the hallway. A
single high hat in the room that had
been set apart for the mems use con.
firmed him in his suspicious.
n
hen party TIL 6 anyhow" he muttered,
swinging out of his overcoat "Bet 1
don't know one girl in twenty down
there now-all mammals friends at this
hour and papa's maiden sisters, and
JOS schoolteachers and governesses
and music teachers, and I don't know
what ALL"
when he went down he found It pre-
cisely as he expected. He went up to
Miss HerriclS, where she stood receiv-
ing with her mother and two Of the
other girls. and allowed them to chaff
him on his forlornness.
Maybe / seem at my ease" said
Ross Wilbur 70 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-"
Il believe you had luncheon not two
hours ago." said Miss Herrick. "Come
along, though. and I'll give you some
chocolate and perhaps. if you're good,
a stuffed olive. I got them just be-
cause knew you liked them. / ought
TO stay here and receive, so can't look
after you for long"
The two fought their way through
the crowded rooms TO the luncheon ta-
Bile. and Miss Herrick got Wilbur his
chocolate and his stuffed olives. They
sat down and talked in a window re-
cess for a moment, Wilbur toeing in in
absurd fashion as he tried to make a
lap for his plate.
Il thought" said Miss Herrick, "that
you were going on the Ridgeways'
yachting party this afternoon. Mrs.
Ridgeway said she was counting on
you. They were going out with the
Petrel."
"She didn't count above a hundred,
though" answered Wilbur. Il got your
bid first, so 1 regretted the yachting
party, and / guess I'd have regretted it
anyhow" And he grinned at her over
his cup.
fNice man." she said. adding on the
instant, Il must go now, Ross"
wait till l 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 me-you're going to the
hoedown tonightG"
III you mean the assembly-yes, ]
am"
''Will you give me the first and lastg'
"I'll give you the first and you can
ask for the last then"
Lets put it down. 1 know you'll
forget it," Wilbur drew a couple OF
cards from his case.
Programmes are not good form any
more" said Miss Herrick.
Forgetting a dance is worse"
He made out the cards, writing on
the one he kept for himself, First
waltz-JO."
Il must go back now" said Miss
Herrick. getting up.
I'm that case shall run. I'm afraid
of girls"
"Its a pity about your
u am. One girl, don't say, but girl
in the aggregate, like this" aud he
pointed his chin toward the thronged
parlors. 1T unmans me-"
"Goodby, thenw
"GOodby until tonight about''-
about O."
about O. then"
Ross Wilbur made bis adieu to Mrs
Herrick and the girls who were receiv-
Ing and took himself away As he
came out Of the house and stood for 9
moment on the steps, settling his hat
gingerly upon his hair so as not &c
disturb the parting, he was not by any
means an I'll looking chap. His good
height was helped out by his long coat
ana his high silk hat. and there wa.
plenty of jaw in the lower part of his
face. No was his tailor altogether
nnswerable for his shoulders. Thre,
years before this time Ross Wilbur
had pulled at No. in his varsity boai
In an eastern college that was not ac
eustomed TO athletic discontinue.
Il wonder what I'm going to do Will
myself until supper time" he mutteret
as he came down the steps. feeling for
the middle of his stick. He found nc
Immediate answer to his question
But the afternoon was fine, and he SCI
off to walk in the direction OF the town
with a half formed idea Of looking Il
at his club.
At his club he found z letter in hi
box from his particular chum, VIII
had been spending month shooting
elk in Oregon. 1t read:
r,asr ola Nan-yVIu he back on the Aft