Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-09-28

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 f1anked with
boxes, while its floor was like polished
glass and it's walls effectively deco
rated.
ooh, how lovely" exclaimed Helen
as she first caught sight of 1T. Its
Just like home"
"I've seen quick rising cities be-
FORE" he said, "but nothing like this.
Still, If these northerners can build q
railroad in q month and a city in a
summer why shouldn't they have sym
phony orchestras and Louis Quinze
~ballroomsT'
II know you're a splendid dancer
she said.
You shall be my Judge and jury.
I'll sign this card as often as l 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.
1 don't care to dance with any n but
you"
After the first waltz he left her sur
rounded by partners and made his way
out Of the ballroom. This was his first
-1Jcr.A~, ,t-oo 1or1{r~ IN thu 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 foat past to the measure
of a two-step and caught himself re-
senting the thought of another mans
enjoyment Of the girls charms even
for an instant.
Hold on, Alec" he muttered.
You're too old a bird to lose your
head" However, he was waiting for
her before the time for their next
dance. She seemed to have lost a part
Of her gayety.
whats the matterl Aren't you en-
joying yourselfT
ooh. yes" she returned brightly.
am having q delightful time"
When he came for his third dance
she was more distract than ever. AS
he led her to a seat they passed a
group of women. among whom were
Mrs. Champain 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 re-
turned his greeting, but ignored Helen.
She shrank slightly, and he realized
that there was something wrong. He
could not guess what. Affairs Of men
he could 0 p with. but the subtleties
Of women were out of his realm.
what ails those people? Have they
offended you"
II don't know what 1t is. I have
spoken to them, but they cut me"
''Cut you!" he exclaimed.
YES" Her voice trembled, but she
held her head high. ut seems as
though all the women In Nome were
here and In league to ignore me. 1t
dazes me. 1 do not understand"
HAS anybody said anything to your
he inquired 1ercely. amy man, l
meanf'
mo, no! The men are kind. It's the
women"
Come, we'll go home"
Indeed, we will not" she said proud
ly. II shall stay and face it out. l
have done nothing to run away from.
and I intend to find out what is the
matter"
When he had surrendered her, at the
beginning of the next dance, McNa-
mar sought for some acquaintance
whom he might question. Most of the
men in Nome either hated or feared
him. but he espied one that he thought
suited his purpose and led him into a
corner.
II want you to answer a question.
No beating about the bush. Under
stand? I'm blunt, and I want you to
be-"
"All right"
"Your 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"
Flow should I known
IF you don't know, I'll ask you to
Ind out"
The other shook his head amusedly,
at which Mcnamara flared up.
II say you will, and you'll make
your wife apologize before she leaves
this hall, too, Or you'll answer to me.
man to man. / won't stand to have a
girl like Miss Chester cold decked by
a bunch Of mining camp swells, and
that goes as 1t lies" In his excitement
Mcnamara reverted to his western
idiom.
The other did not reply at once, for it
Is embarrassing to deal with a person
who d%isregards the conventions utterly,
and at the same time has the inclina-
ton and force to compel obedience.
The boss reputation had gone abroad.
"Well-er-I know about 1t in a gen.
eral way, but of course l don't go much
on such things. You'd better let 1t
drop"
go on"
: There has been q lot Of talk among
the ladies' about-well, er-the fact is,
it's that young G1enister. Mrs. Cham
plan had the next stateroom to them
er-him-I should say-On the way up