The Cairo bulletin., 1904-04-07
CHAPTER MI.
TN HE winter season ut the Hotel
IA del Coronado had been unusu-
G ally gay that year, and the
Nnnnr Indy t,.ln t.rnfn thn sn.

=
young lady who wrote the So
ciety news in diary form for one of
the san Francisco papers had held
forth at much length upon the hotels
'unhroken succession Of festivities"
Sine had also noted that prominent
among the newest arrivals had been
Mr.. Nat Ridgeway of San Francisco
who had brought down from the city
aboard his elegant ana sumptuously
fitted yacht Petrol jolly party. COM
posed largely Of the seasons dcbu-
tantes. 10 be mentioned in the latter
category was Miss Josie lIerrick
whose lavender coming out tea at th
beginning of The season was still
subject Of comment among the SOS
sips and all the rest of it.
The Petrol had been in the harbor
but few days, and on this evening II
dance was given at the hotel in honor
Of her arrival. 1t was TO be Il cotillon,
and Nat Kidgeway was going to lead
with Josic Hcrrick. There had been Il
coaching party to Tia Juana that day,
and Miss Herrick had returned TO the
hotel only in time TO dress BY $50
she emerged from tine process which
had involved her mother, her younger
sister, her maid and one of the hotel
chambcrmaids- dainty. firm corseted
little body, all tulle, white satin and
high piled hair. She carried Marcchal
Mel roses, ordered by wire from Mon.
terey, and about an hour later, when
Rldgeway gave the nod TO the waiting
musicians ana swung her of to the
beat of twostcp, there was not a
more graceful little figure upon the
floor of the incompatible round ball
room Of the Coronado hotel.
The cotillon was great success.
The erisigns and younger officers Of
the monitor, ut that time anchored off
the hotel, attended in uniform, ard
enough of the members of what was
known in San Francisco as the dane
ing set were present to give the at
fair the necessary entran. Even Jerry
lIaight, who belonged more distinctly
to the country club set ana who had
spent the early part Of shat winter
shooting elk in Oregon, was among
the ranks Of the "rovers." who group
cd themselves about the drafty door
ways and endeayored to appear uncon-
scious each time Ridgeway gave the
signal for a "bFeak."
The figures had gone round the hall
once Tho first set was out again
and rs Bidgeway guided Miss lierrick
by the "royers' she looked over the
array of shirt fronts, searching for
Jerry Haight.
"Do you see Mr. uaighty' She asked
Of Ridgcway. Il wanted to fayor him
this break. | owe him two already,
and he'll never forgive me If | over
look him now"
Jerry I1aight had gone to the hotel
office for few moments rest and Il
cigarette and was nowhere in sight
But when the set broke and Miss Her
rick, despairing of Jerry, bad started
out to favor one of the younger en-
signs, she suddenly jostled against him
pushing his way eagerly across the
floor in the direction Of the musicians
platform.
ooh" she cried, AIR Haight, you've
missed your chancc-i'ye been looking
for your
But Jerry did not hear. He seemed
very excited. lie crossed Che floor. al
most running. and went up on the plat
form. where the musicians were meals
dcrlng softly through the mazes Of ia
Palema.7 and brought them to an
abrupt silence.
Here. say, ITaight." exclaimed
Ridgrway. whe was near by. you can't
break Up my figure like that"
"G' me call there on the bugle. ="
said Height rapidly to the c9ruetist.
Anything to make 'em keep quiet u
moment"
The corBetist sounded a couple Of
notes. and the eotillon paused in TIE