Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-06-22
( CHAPTER xIy-(Continued,

haunted him habitually Of late gave
way to a smile.
IT'S work. little girl-hard and
thankless work, that's oil. This country
y intended for young men, and I'm
TOO sfar along. His eyes grew grave
again. and he squeezed her fingers
neryously as though at the thought.
It's a terrible country this Ii
Wish we had never seen It,"
Don't say that" Helen cried
.spiritedly. why, it's glorious. Think
cf the honor You're United States
Judge and the first to come here.
You're making history-you're build
ing a state-people will read about
you. She dropped and kissed him;
but he seemed to finch beneath her
caress.
"of course I'll go If you think I'd
better che said, though I'm not fond
OF Alaskan society Some of the wo.,
men are nice, but the others She
shrugged her dainty shoulders. "They
talk scandal I'll the time. One would
think that q s,sat. clean fresh, vigor-
Gus country this would broaden
the women hroadens men-but 1t
doesn't"
"I'll tell McNamara to call for you
at nine o'clock" said the judge as ne
arose. So. later In the day she pre-
pared her long unused finery to such
good purpose that when her escort
called for her that evening he be-
lieved her the loveliest Of women.
garded her with fresh access of
pride, for the function proved to bear
little resemblance to a mining-camp
a
gowns, and every man was in even
Ing dress. The wide hall ran the
length of the hotel and was fanked
with boxes, while its floor was like
polished glass and its walls effectively
decorated.
20, how lovely!" exclaimed Helen
as she first caught sight of it. "It's
just like home"
I've seen quick-rising cities BEFORE"
he said. "but nothing like this. Still,
If these northerners can build rail-
road in a month and city in sum-
mer, why shouldn't they have sym.
phony orchestras and Louis Quinze
ballrooms?"
81 know you're splendid dancer"
she said.
You shall be my Judge and jury.
I'll sign this card as often as dare
without the certainty Of violence at
the hands Of these young men, and the
rest Of the time I'll smoke In the lob
by. j don't care to dance with any
one but you
After the first waltz he left her sur.
rounded by partners and made his way
put, OF the ballroom. This was his
hrst relaxation since landing in the
north. 1t was we'll not to become
duh boy, he unused, and as he chewed
his cigar he pictured with an odd
thrill, quite unusual with him that
Enat slender, gray-eyed girl, with her
coiled mass Of hair, her ivory should
ers, and merry smile. He saw her
float past to the measure of a two
step, and caught himself resenting the
thought Of another mans enjoyment
of the girls charms even for an in
stant
aHold on. Alec,' he muttered.
You're too old bird to lose your
head However, he was waiting for
her before the time for their next
dance. She seemed to have lost part
Of her gayety.
Whats the matter? Aren't you en-
joying yourself?"
"Oh, vest" she returned, brightly.
I'm having a delightful time
When he came for mis- third dance,
she was more distraite than ever AS
ne led her to a seat they passed
group OF women. among whom were
Mrs. Champian and others whom he
knew to be wives of men prominent
in the town. He had seen some of
them at tea in Judge stillman's house
and therefore was astonished when
they returned his greeting but ignored
Helen. she shrank slightly and he
realized that there was something
wrong; he could not guess what AT
fairs of men he could cope with, but
the subtleties Of women were out of
his realm.
what ans those people Have they
offended your
Il don't know what it is. l have
spoken to them, but they cut me-"
''Cut your" ne exclaimed.
Yes Her voice trembled, but she
held her head high. st seems as
though all Fthe women in Nome We're
here and in league to ignore me. 1t
dazes mel do not understand"
''Has anybody said anything to
your he inquired, fiercely "Any man,
/ mean?"
mo, no! The men are kind. It's
the women"
"Come-we'll go home"
Indeed, we will hot" she said
proudly. II shall stay and face it out
have done nothing to run away from,
and + intend to find out what is the
matter"
When he had surrendered her, at
the beginning Of the next dance, Nc
Namara sought for some acquaintance
whom he might question. Most of the
men in Nome either hated OF feared
MIN. but he espied one that he thought
suited mis- purpose. and let him into
q corner.
II want you to answer question.
No heating about the bush. Under.
stand? I'm blunt, and want You to
be-
All right
.sYour wife has been entertained at
Miss Chester's house I've seen her
there Tonight she refuses to SPEAK
to the girl. She cut her dead. and I
want to know what it's about"
..1Iow should kncw?"