The daily Alaskan., 1909-01-07

and her steady brown eyes that he found most attractlve-most disquist- ingly attractive, indeed
 She laughed softly as she saw him there.
 "Dcserter." she taunted. "You and your pose of solitude are getting on Mrs. Harvey's nerves. l can see 1t. Really, I'm beginning to believe you concelted."
 Duncan drew up Il chair. Wont you sit here for minute and watch these mountains with mep said he. "Pm- I'm He paused.
 You're what?' she prompted.
 Lonely" he finished with such evi- dent sincerity in his voice that the girl felt little pang of remorse.
 q presume you find us stupid" said sbe, sitting down beside him. After such q crowded life as yours has been all this must be very tame"
 "TameY he said, with sudden earn estness. "Tame? Oh, heavens, no"
 You give us that impression any way"
 DO F" said he. He leaned forward in his chair. Do you know how I feel here? Will you respect my secret if l tell you?"
 She nodded.
 "Wcll, then, like a fish out of water, I'm afraid-honestly and actually afraid. You see, all my life I have travelled. I've been into the out of the way places of the earth l haven't had time to cultivate any of the graces of civilization. All in all, I'm barba- rlan, more or less.
 "I'vc looked forward to this--to this coming here to Cousin Mary's and meeting all these people of your world more than 1 can tell you. But 1t has taught me something about myself, Much as I wish fitted in this niche, I'm impossible. AS a participator in social functions in. the accepted sense of the term I'm hopeless"
 The girl looked at him with a quiet smile.
 "pn take back that remark about your concelt and ask your forgiveness for 1t, too" said she. "Oh, you boy! You great, big hearted, simple boy! You envy us in this silly, meaningless life of ours-you who have been doing something! I wish you might know how I envy that life of yours"
 Do you mean that really2' he cried.
 Ut is worth a thousand lives like ours"
 But I am isolated. 1 am alone. have cut myself off from all that really want. want to be like these other men here. l want to talk to you as they do-to be as unafraid Of you as they are"
 "That? Oh, poohw she laughed. Tell me, when you go into an un. known country what do you do before you try to travel lt-tNke a guide, don't you?"
 Yes"
 "Wen, that's what you must do here Take guide. Then I'll warrant in a week-ln a day--youll know the ropes from beginning to end"
 "A guide" he repeated musingly. "Yes, that's it. I must take a guide to show me into civilization. My work is done now. l want to live in my own country; therefore I must have that guide. 1-I-there is only one l want and I want her for life," he stammercd, but he looked at her with no uncertain light in hls eyes. T am presumptuous, I know. I am nothing but a barbarian, as told you, but per. haps with the guide 1t might be differ ent."
 He turned suddenly and caught her hand in his own. "Can l have that gulde?" he asked unsteadily.|
 The girl arose. Her face was scar. let. but her eyes were looking into his.
 Your first lesson will be in bridge" he said. Come in and I'll teach you" But Duncan caught her in his arms , and held her fast
 "Yes, dear" she murmured. q loved | you from the very first, you were SO so unspoiled by what I'm going to guide you into"