The daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 190?-1908, 1907-08-22

summer hotel was called, was a
cheerful looking caravansary built
after the fashion of the old colonial.
The long verandas that stretched all
round were usually crowded by
guests of the ordinary types-bored
husbands trying to enjoy themselves
while yearning for their daily occupa-
tions, few highly-valued young men
wearing an air of feverish gayety and
exhibiting a strong desire for tiirta-
tion. Young mothers with noisy chill
dren, and serene nursery maids,
placid harmless looking old ladies'
who kept things lively by their talent
for gossip and misunderstanding, and n
great many pretty girls.
Alma Russell was the belle OF the
! place. Possessing undeniable beauty,
she was extravagant in every sense OF
the word--rather over-dressed,
trine too loud of speech and laughter,
somewhat bold of gaze. Moreover, she
was so intensely pleased with herself
that 1t gave her a sort Of fictitious
good humor.
Her imagination had been starved
from childhood by the instant gratifi-
| cation of her whims. She never knew
the pleasure of longing for the unat-
tainable; the delights of make be-
lieve" were never hers. A plethora
Of toys took away the zest Of play;
too many books spoiled her taste for
reading; all the new music was hers
as soon as issued-she tried 1t all
over superficially, threw It aside at
the first difficulty for something else.
The only thing that never wearied her
was admiration.
The critics at the House on the
Heights had q great deal to say
about her. She furnished an mex
haustible topic for the elderly folk
who did fancy work on the veranda
or toyod with periodicals in the par
lor. II Alma yielded her rocking
chair to some ease-loving granny, and
sat on the steps, they decided at once
that this gave her a better chance to
display her neat slippers. If Miss
Russell talked well and amuslngly,
they decided she was trying to show
off, and glanced knowingly about to
discover which man she wanted to
dazzle: while, II she were silent, they
were equally convinced that she was
only waiting for some one to ask her
why.
None of the men at the Heights
married or single, agreed with the
gossips, but held to their own opin
ION, which was that a girl with such
= figure and complexion, such gowns
and such amusing ways, must be al
that is admirable and worthy; and
II she had a foible or two. why, she
was so young-a mere child!
But there was one-Angus Cam
eron, large of heart, noble ol
countenance, stalwart OF frame-whC
did not excuse her faults; he de
plored them as an artist would regret
flaw on an otherwise perfect pic
ture. He felt that she was untrue
J to herself-that below the dross o
vanity, frivolity, lay the true gold o
perfect womanhood, but that it woulC
need some terrible experience, som'
appealing shock to set right what wal
! wrong.
Angus Cameron loved her-that h
knew to his own misery. He neve
. told his love, and this piqued the beau
tiful girl, who, having exhausted al
J other means OF mischief at command
: turned her attention to him with curl
osity and interest. She was used L
: speedy declarations from her ad
, mirers, and lover who resisted he
wiles instead OF encouraging them
was a psychological puzzle.
One evening a lively young maj
! known as Robert Chapman, and ol
occasions as "Chappie," raised hi
! arm dramatically, and said:
Lets all take walk. ] know
! nice. dangerous one, where there is
: fearful precipicey kind OF chasm wit
an evil name. which, out OF respec
r for Mrs. Ketchem"-he bowed
/, won't mention"
3 Mrs. Ketchem thanked him dryly
r She did not need much of her vaun
: ed discernment to perceive that ChaI
pie was poking fun at her.
The others expressed a languld II
terest in the scheme, but. rather
z Almas surprise, Angus Cameron sal
he felt like a stroll and would go.
There's a nasty bit Of climbing,
explained Chappy, smitten with lat
remorse. II ought to mention 1t b.
a fore we start; but with care | thin
$ Il is safe, and 1t Is a pretty spot; b
e moonlight it will be fairy-like."
| hope you don't mean to lead u
{ down the precipice with the name III
mentionable?" queried Miss Russell.
Dear me, no! No one could d
that and come up intactl"
a They started. six or seven OF thel
! "a merry, light-hearted band. tn
II moon was full and clear. darkenin
Q the shadows over rough and treacl
d erous places, but they made their wa
Q in safety. and all vowed that II
9 beauty of the place was worth the
pains.
q After some idle chatter Miss Ru