Milford chronicle., 1905-01-13
cHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.
rs Is to be story Of a battle,
BAT least one murder and sew
srai sudden deaths. For that
reason it begins with a pink
III II amone the mingled Odors Of
bicate perfumes and the hale,
Hell Of Caroline Testout roses.
,.r had been a great number Of
Is coming out" that season in
Nhcisco by means of afternoon
hk, lavender and otherwise.
BOf iculaf tea was well intended
ate the fact that Josie Herrick
we'd at that time of her life
e was to wear her hair high
gowns long and to have
her own quite distinct from
~ her mother.
Wilbur presented himself at the
is house on Pacific avenue much
q y upou the afternoon Of Miss
+. tea. As he made his way
h canvased stairs he was aware
Styling array of millinery and a
ling staccato chatter Of femi-
ces ia the parlors and reception
: n either side of the hallway. A
= igh bat in the room that had
} apart for the mems use con-
him ia his suspicious.
it have known it would be a
.ty til G anyhow" he mUttered,
ag out Of his overcoat. "Bet l
Inow one girl in twenty down
Now all mammals friends at this
ind papa's maiden sisters, and
rh0oiteachers and governesses
asic teachers, and l don't know
he vent down he found 1t pre-
lhs be expected. He went up to
erriclr. where she stood receiv-
sth her mother and two of the
hlrls, and allowed them to chaff
his forlornness.
Hbe j seem at my ease," said
ilbur to them, "but really 1 am
pch frightened. I'm going to
ay as soon as it is decently
even before, unless you feed
eve you had luncheon not two
10, said Miss Herrick. Come
though, and I'll give you some
e and perhaps, if you're good.
ID olive. 1 got them just be-
knew you liked them. / ought
here and receive, so I can't look
lu for long"
Two fought their way through
kvded rooms to the luncheon ta-
Miss Herrick got Wilbur his
te and his stuffed olives. They
~ and talked in a window re-
Il moment, Wilbur toeing in in
fashion as he tried to make a
his plate.
bought" said Miss Herrick, "that
7ere going on the Ridgeways'
ing party this afternoon. Mrs.
way said she was counting on
They were going out with the
E didn't count above a hundred,
b, p answered Wilbur. Il got your
rst, So I regretted the yachting
and i guess I'd have regretted it .
". And he grinned at her over
b.
e man." she said, adding on the
t, u must go now, Ross"
It till l eat the sugar out Of my /
complained Wilbur. "Tell me-"
lded, scraping vigorously at the
n Of the cup with the inadequate /
-''tell me-yOu're going to the
swn tonightY"
you mean the assembly-yes, .
ill you give me the first and last?
give you the first, and you can
or the last then"
ts. put it down. 1 know you'll
Wilbur drew a couple Of
his case.
mes are not good form any
Miss Herrick.
ng a dance is worse"
heTlt the cards, writing on
auar.ept for himself, First
IN, back now." said Miss
ng up.
esiy e l shall run. I'm afraid
try about your
wei girl, don't say, but girl
ia gate, like this" and he
Ia :hin toward the thronged
unmans me-"
henw
MN tonight STOUT
then"
ur made his adieu to Mrs.
the girls who were receiv-
k himself away. AS he
the house and stood for a
the steps, settling his hat
pon his hair so as not to
parting, he was not by any
il looking chap. His good
helped out by his long coat
!. algh silk hat, and there was