The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-08-30
Continued,

haunted him habitnally of late gave
way to a smile.
Its work, little girl-hard and /
thankless work. that's all. This coun- /
try is intended for young men. and I'm !
too far along" His eyes grew grave /
again. and he squeezed her fingers
nervously as though at the thought. |
Its terrible country this IL |
wish we had never seen it."
Don't say that" Helen cried spirit
edly. why. it's glorious. Think of
the honor. You're United States
Judge and the first one to come here.
You're making history; you're building
state; people will read about you"
She stopped and kissed him, but he
seemed to finch beneath her caress,
'Of course I'll go If you think I'd
better" she said, though I'm not fond
of Alaskan society. Some of the WON
en- are nice, but the others She
shrugged her dainty shoulders. They
talk scandal all the time. One would
think that a great. clean, fresh, vigor-
Gus country like this would broaden
the women as 1t broadenS the men
but It doesn't"
"I'n tell Mcnamara to call for you at
8 O'clock" said the judge as he arose.
So, later in the day. she prepared her
long unused finery to such good pur-
pose that when her escort called for
her that evening he believed her the
loveliest of women.
Upon their arrival at the hotel he re-
garded her with a fresh access of
pride, for the function proved to bear
little resemblance to a mining camp
party. The women wore handsome
gowns, and every man was in evening
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 deco
rated.
"Oh, how lovelyr' exclaimed Helen
as she first caught sight of it. Its
just like home"
1--WE seen quick rising cities be-
fore" he said, "but nothing like this.
Still, If these northerners can build a
railroad in a month and q city in a
summer why shouldn't they have sym
phony orchestras and Louis Quinze
ballrooms?"
'I know you're a splendid dancer, -
she said.
"You shall be my judge and jury.
I'll sign this card as often as I dare
without the certainty of violence at
) the hands of these young men, and the
! rest Of the time I'll smoke in the lobby
/ 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
l out of the ballroom. This was his frs
5 relaxation since landing In the north
= 1t was well not to become a dull boy
he unused, and as he chewed his cigar
he pictured, with an odd thrill, quite
unusual with him, that slender, gray
eyed girl, with her coiled mass of hair
her ivory shoulders and merry smile
He saw her float past to the measure
= of a two-step and caught himself re
4 senting the thought of another mans
f enjoyment of the girls charms ever
for an instant.
, Hold on, Alec" he muttered
you're too old a bird to lose you
: her before the time for their mex
), dance. She seemed to have lost par
y of her gayety.
f whats the matter? Aren't you en-
= joying yourselfT'
n "Oh, yes,'' she returned brightly
: '1'm having a delightful time"
When he came for his third dane,
she was more distract than ever Al
!, he led her to a seat they passed ;
: group Of women, among whom werr
: Mrs. Champain and others whom BIZ
:. knew to be wives of men prominent II
f the town. He had seen some of then
e at tea in Judge SdIlman's house anC
e therefore was astonished when they re
: turned his greeting, but ignored Helen
She shrank slightly, and he realized
that there was something wrong. III
= could not guess what Affairs OF mel
d he could cope with, but the subtieties
a Of women were out of his realm.
# 'fWhat ails those people2 Have the.
= offended your
e at don't know what it Is. I havi
spoken to them, but they cut me-"
''Cut your he exclaimed.
" Yes" Her voice trembled, but sh
= held her head high. "It seems a
though all the women in Nome wer
here and In league to ignore me.
l dazes me- do not understand"
I HAS anybody said anything to your
he inquired fercely. ANY man,
meanT'
/ mo, no! The men are kind. It's tn
women"
"Come, we'll go home"
Indeed, we will not she said proud
ly. Il shall stay and face it out.
have done nothing to run away from
and intend to find out what Is Ii
matter"
/ When he had surrendered her, at II
beginning of the next dance, Mem
mara sought for some acquaintanC
whom he might question. Most OF Il
men IN Nome either hated or feare