The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-01-03

L utdT IlcltI, uOu you
MI alize that my official posi-
ton carries with 1t a GER
4 i tain social obligation which
it Is our duty to discharged"
81 suppose so, Uncle Arthur; but
would much rather stay at home"
Tut, tut! Go and have a good time"
Dancing doesn't appeal to me any
tome. Now. II you would only come
along
no; I'm too busy = must work to-
night. and I'm not IN mood for such
things. anyhow"
you're not WELL" hts niece SAID.
~ have noticed il for weeks. Is it
hard work or are you truly i'll? 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 her seat at the breakfast la
BILE and went to him, smoothing his
silvered head with affection.
He took her cool hand and pressed
it &c his cheek, while the worry that
Haunted him habitually 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 a 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 a 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 wom-
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 it broadens the men
but it doesn't"
"I'll tell Mcnamara to call for you at
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 q 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"
"Ive seen quick rising cities be-
FORE" he said, "but nothing like this.
Still, if these northerners can build a
railroad in a month and a city in a
summer why shouldn't they have SYM
phony orchestras and Louis QuinZe
ballroOmsP'
81 know you're a splendid dancer
she said.
"You shall be my judge and jury.
I'll sign this card as often as 1 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
out of the ballroom. This was his first
relaxation since landing in the north.
1t was well not to become 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-
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 part
of her gayety.
whats the matter? Aren't you en-
joying yourselfT
ooh, yes" she returned brightly.
"Fm having a 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 cope with, but the subtletles
of women were out of his realm.
"What ails those people? Have they
offended you"
II don't know what IL Is. I have
spoken to them, but they cut me-"
"Cut your he exclaimed.
Yes Her voice trembled, but she
baII har haoI ht0h "It eapne nc