The daily Alaskan., 1906-11-15
"LOye'S Expedient"
LOrlEinaLl

 vantageS of wealth were drummed into her ears till it was supposed that she had learned her lesson well. She was quiet. Obedjeut girl, and as she WAS attractive her mother had great hopes of at least seeing her the wife Of ei- ther a practical business man or the heir to an estate Marcia knew that a union with a scholar. ploddiug phySi- clan. clergyman Or even a lawyer would be forbidden. As to one who followed the tine arts for a living. Mrs Ford would put her daughter behind bars rather than permit her to marry one Of them.
 Several men either of means or heirs to means became suitorS for the girls hand. but she gave no assurance that she would choose between them. Then her mother received a shock. She dis covered that her daughter was core spending with some one who signed himself Arthur" and this iS all the clew she had to his identity, Con fronting her daughter with the cyl depce oG her LiSobed.euCe. she demand ed to know who Arthur was. Marcia declined to cnl!ghten her. The mother stormed and pleaded and. finding her daughter obdurate. shut her up and hired duouua To divide the watch.
 Marcia made no effort to leave the house and. though the two JailerS watched with the greatest care. they dId not discover that the prisoner was srrnmDt.ng to communicate with any one Weeks. months, paSSed. while Marcia was the same obedient girl she had always been except that she would not reveal the identity of her lover. But so long aS she refused her promise 10 give him up Mrs Ford would not relax her warrutulncSs.
 No men except such as brought sup plies 90 the house were permitted to come upon the premises Mrs. Ford offered 10 permit her daughter 10 see such visitors as she herself might ap- prove ot but Marcia said that if she could nor receive whom she pleased she did not care. Co See any one.
 One spring. when The demon of houS" cleaning enters Into all good house keepers. Mrs. Ford determined to give her house a thorough overhaulng. Pa rer!ng was needed. but new paper would not match old paint, and the lady decided to have the painting done first. Shr meLitated going 10 the country while the decorations were be Ing made. but for two reasons decided to remain at home In tue first place, she wished to supcr!nteud the work herself. and. in the second. she dared not take her daughter where she could uot as well watch her as at home.
 Since. ir was ut the height of the sca- son for gruoNat.uE dwelling houses. but oue painter was sgt tO work. Mrs. Fonl seemed afraid ot a man coming Into her home. rv~u a house painter. and followed L.m about under pre- tense of Seejug that be Gtd hls work properly. He did uOt dO jt to suit her, but was very obligius. and when he had paiureI room color that clash. ed with another room opening into it agreed to do it all over again, taking the loss upon himself.
 Are you jourueyman:' asked Mrs. Ford.
 ''I have been a painter five years, replied the man merkly.
 Well" added rac lady. much an moved at tue delay and tue position she was placed iu. you will never make living with the brush You have no idea of the harmony ot colors. Paint the room over. and 1 will divide the loss of time with you"
 With marked good nature and pa tieuce the man painted the room over. but so slowly that by night he had not half finished iy. Mrs. Ford telephoned to Lls employer to send the next day a man who knew his business, but the proprietor replied that he had not an other man 10 spare. So tue next morn Ing the lmbecile appeared and went tO work again. When Ee had finished the room he had first spoiled the colOrS were a dream of harmony. and when Mrs. Ford went in to look at II she was surprised to see a decoration she had not bar-ained for There was little niche in the room from which 8 rosy cupid smiled at her.
 Did you do that" she asked of the lahorer.
 Yes. ma'am. know how to paint signs"
 Hrs very pretty. but l don't want it there. Paint it out"
 The man. apparently not the least sensible to the want of appreciation of his work. ran bis brush over it and be gan to paint the next room.
 When the painter was gathering uI his brushes 10 leave the lady inspected hIs work and found it had been done SC badly that she was quite beside her self She stormed and threatened, anC between her wrath and the painter explanations iu defense of his worS she was kept some time. When the painter had departed she went 10 hnc her daughter.
 The bird had flown.
 Mrs. Ford was without knowledge as to where the fugitive had gone till tht ,svt morning when she saw a notice