Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-12-13

ditLe- tllsil my OWCIdi posi-
ton carries with It GER
: ! tain social obligation which
It Is cur duty to discharge? 2"
II suppose SO. Uncle Arthur; but I
would much rather stay at home.''
tut, tut. Go and have good time"
s4 Dancing doesn't appeal to me any
more left that sort Of thing back
home. Now If you would only come
along
/ mo, I'm too busy. must work to
night, and I'm not In mood for such
things. anyhow"
you're not we'll" his niece said.
81 have noticed it for weeks. Is it
hard work or are you truly ill? You're
nervous; you don't eat; you're grow
ing positively gaunt. Why, you're get
ting wrinkles like an old man. She
rose from he. seat at the breakfast ia
BILE and went to him, smoothing his
silvered head with affection.
He took her cool hand and pressed
It to his cheek, while the worry that
haunted him habitually of late gave
way to a smile.
Its work, little girl-hard aud
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 rs though at the thought.
tits terrible country this. III
wish we had never seen it,
Don't say that" Helen cried spirit
eddy. 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. "Thcy
talk scandal all the time. One would
think that great, clean, fresh, vigor-
GUS country like this would broaden
the women as 1t broadens the men
but 1t doesn't"
"I'll 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 tinery to such good pur-
pose that when her escort called for
her that evening he believed her the
loyeIiest of women.
Upon their arrival at the hotel he re-
garded her with 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 flanked with
boxes, while its floor was like polished
glass and its walls effectively deco.
| rated.
"Oh, how lovely!' exclaimed Helen
as she first caught sight of 1t. ats
just like home."
"I've seen quick rising cities be
fore" he said, "but nothing like this
Still, If these northerners can build 9
railroad in month and city in O
summer why shouldn't they have sym
phony orchestras and Louis Quinze
ballrooms?"
II know you're a 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 a
the hands of these young men, and The
rest of the time I'll smoke in the lobby
| I don't care to dance with any one bu
you"
i After the first waltz he left her sur
rounded by partners and made his wa!
! out of the ballroom. This was his frs
relaxation since landing in the north
4 1t was we'll not to become a dull boy
he muscd and as lie chewcd his ciga
/ he pictured, with an odd thrill, quit,
unusual with him. that slender. gra.
| eyed girl, with her coiled mass of hair
her ivory shoulders and merry smile
/ He saw her float past-to the measure
4 Of a two-stcp and caught himself re
senting the thought OF another man
enjoyment of the girls charms eve
for an instant.
"Hold on. Alec" he muttered
you're too old bird TO lose you
head" However, he was waiting 70
her before the time for their mex
dance. She seemed to have lost par
of her gayety.
] whats the matter? Aren't you en