The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-01-12
CHAPTER I.
THIS is to be a story of battle,
at Last one murder and sew
eral sudden deaths. For that

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 a great number of
debutantes coming OUT that season in
San Francisco by means of afternoon
teas, pink, lavender and otherwise.
This particular tea was we'll intended
to 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
that of her mother.
Ross Wilbur presented himself at the
Herrick house on Pacific avenue much
too early upon the afternoon of Miss
Herrick's tea. AS he made his way
up the canyased stairs he was aware
OF terrifying array of millinery and a
disquieting staccato chatter of femi-
nine voices in the parlors and reception
rooms on either side of the hallway. \
single high hat in the room that had
been set apart for the mems use con-
tirmed him in his suspicious.
Might have known it would be a
hen party till 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 don't know
what all.''
When he went down he found it pre-
cisely as he expected. He went up to
Miss Herrick, where she stood receiv-
ing with her mother and two of the
other girls, and allowed them to chaff
him on his forlornness.
Maybe l 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 Herrick. Come
along, though, and I'll give you some
chocolate and perhaps, if you're good,
a stuffed olive. 1 got them just be-
cause knew you liked them. I 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 ia
bic, and Miss Herrick got Wilbur his
chocolate and his stuffed olives. They
sat down and talked in a window re-
cess for moment, Wilbur toeing in in
absurd fashion as he tried to make a
lap for his plate.
II thought" said Miss Herrick, ''that
you We're 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. II got your
bid first, so I regretted the yachting
party, and guess I'd have regretted it
anyhow" And he grinned at her over
his cup.
mice man." she said, adding on the
instant, II must go now, Ross"
"Wait till I 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 tonight?''
IF you mean the assembly-yes I
am
"Will you give me the first and last?'
"Tll give you the first, and you can
ask for the last them
Lets put it down. I know you'll
forget it." Wilbur drew a couple of
cards from his case.
programmes are not good form any
more,' said Miss Herrick.
'F'Orgetting dance is WOrse.''
He made out the cards, writing on
the one be kept for himself, First
WaltZ-Jo."
II must go back now" said Miss
Herrick, getting up.
In that case l shall run. I'm afraid
of girls
Its pity about your
Il ain. One girl, don't say, but girl
in the aggregate, like this" and he
pointed his chin toward the thronged
parlors. 1T humans me-"
"Goodby, then!''
"Goodby until tonight about
about o.
about g. then"
Ross Wilbur made his 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 a
moment on the steps, settling his hat
gingerly upon his hair so as not to
disturb the parting, he was not by any
means an ill 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 at No. 5 in his varsity boat
in an eastern college that was not &C.
customed to athletic discontinue.
II wonder what I'm going to do with
myself until supper time" he muttered
ou ha