The Nome daily gold digger., 1907-07-09
THE EVENING STORY
Better than Wireless


Lazily Linyard watched the blue coated figure toiling slowly up the hill from the station. Who, he wondered, had sent a town messenger out to iWoodcrest? He was half tempted to rise and meet the lad, but the June day had an enervating breath, and, be- sides. the note might be for Clifford.
 Clifford owned Wooderest and Lin yard had only run down for the week end Presently the boys slow feet crunched upon the gravel walk. Cliff ford stepped out through the library window
 Bet the cigars it's for you, Walt" he suggested "or, better still, from Jane Burton"
 Linyard flushed though he tried to speak carelessly as he said, "Tll take you, for there's no such luck"
 The boy was at the step now, and both men reached out their hands.
 For Mir. Walter Linyard" the youngster said as he reached out a square envelope addressed in a hand that caused Linyard's heart to beat fast.
 Clifford chuckled. q win" he de- clared. And Linyard, deep in perusal of his letter could only nod assent. The eager face turned to blank aston ishment, however, as he read. When he reached the famiiarm signature, he began and read it all over again and then burst out:
 This is quite beyond me!'
 Any way I can help. old man?' | Linyard thrust the letter in his hand, and this is what Clifford read Town, June 5.--My Dear MT. Lin yard: Forgive me for my refusal to answer you when you did me the honor week ago of asking me to marry you. I will have to explain the pecu liar position in which I am placed
 "When I made my debut in society last fall my aunt, who, as you know, has been both father and mother to me, made me promise that l would ac- cept no proposal until the end of my first season, and now that the season is ended I find myself in a dilemma. There are seven men among whom I really cannot decide You are one of the seven.
 q have therefore decided to leave the decision in the hands of fate and the enterprise of those who seek my hand. I am leaving on the American liner today, and I will accept the first proposal to reach me from one of the seven.
 livered half Sl hour after the steamer sails to the other six, so that you may all have an even chance. It rests with you. Faithfully yours,
 "JEANNETTE BURTIN."
 Clifford handed back the letter with a low whistle Can't say blame her | much, though" he remarked She was by far the prettiest debutante of the season, and the chaps of our set are so much alike it's hard to choose between them. Going it. to win?'
 Linyard nodded, then squared his shoulders reassuringly as he said, 'Tm going to cable to Queenstown to catch the steamer in the channel"
 That will be nice" returned Cliff ford comfortingly. By that time she will have had time to write letters to four out of the other five telling them the lucky man got his wireless tele- gram aboard at Nantucket"
 Linyard grltted his teeth. Then he turned to his friend desperately. See here; I've simply got to get my pro- posal in first. How can do it?"
 But Clifford sat there in a brown study. Suddenly his friends face frightened. Lets go bluefishing on the Ariel" he said quickly. And Cliff ford, with the light of sudden under standing on his face, nodded an assent
 Late that afternon there was a com motion on the bridge of the New York Not far ahead schooner yacht acted as though bent on self destruction by consistently getting in the steamers way. The first officer reached for the