The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-04-02

CHAPTER XIV.
~ 1T dear Helen, don't you re
MI altze that my o@cial posi-
ton carries with 1t O eer-
4 tain social obligation which
1t is our duty to dischsrgeT'
81 suppose %. Uncle Arthur; but I
would much rather stay at home"
'"rut, int! Go and have good time. "
Dancing doesn't appeal to me any
more. I left that sort Of, thing back
home. Now, II you would only come
along
"No: I'm too busy. I must work to-
night, and I'm not In a mood for sach
things. anyhow"
You're not WE'LL" his niece said.
81 have noticed 1t for weeks. Is 1t
hard work or are yeu truly IN? You're
nervous; you don't eat; you're grow
Ing positively gsunt Why. you're get
ting wrinkles Ike an old man" She
rose from her AT at, the breakfast ia
ble and went to him, smoothing his
sjlvered head with affection.
He took her cool hand and pressed
1t to bis cheek, while the worry that
haunted him habitually' Of hate gave
way to q smile.
TITS work, little girl-hard and
thankssss WORK, that's all This coun-
try 10 tntended for young men, and I'm
too far along" His eyes grew grave
again, and he squeezed her 6raers
nsrvously a. though atAthe thought.
tits q 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 UnitcS States
Judge and the first one to Ct .,e here.
You're making history; you're building
q state; people Will read about you"
She stopped and kissed him, but he
seemed to finch beneath her caress.
"Of course I'll 60 II 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. They
talk scandal all the time. One would
think that q 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
9 O'clock" said the Judge as he arose.
So, later in the day. she prepared her
long unused fnery 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 be 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 fanked with
boxes. while its floor was like polished
glass and its walls effectively deco
rated.
"Oh. how lovelyw exclaimed Helen
as she first caught sight Of 1t. It's
just like home
"I've seen quick rising cities be-
fore" he said. but nothing like this.
Still, II these northerners can build
railroad In a month and city In a
summer why shouldn't they have sym
phony orchestras and Louis Quinze
ballroomsT
T 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 at
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 but
you"
After the hrst waltz he left her sur
rounded by partners and made his way
out Of the ballroom. This was bis hrst
relaxation since landing in the north
It was we'll not to become dull boy.
be unused, and as he chewed bis cigar
be 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" be muttered.
You're too old 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
"Oh. yes" she returned brightly.
"I'm having a delightful time"
When he came for his third dance
she was more dlstrait than ever. AS
1 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 Stlllman's house and
therefore was astonished when they re-