The daily Alaskan., 1912-12-26
pleased at the addition to t5s EsFvI6s

] all else, as a good waiter should. Until the company were seated kept my eyes fixed on tho wall opposite, and when lowered them to begin my du- ties I encountered the gaze of a young lady fixed upon me. As soon as look. cd at her she turned her eyes in an- lother direction and chatted with her dinner companion. I heard her ad. dressed as Miss Phlpps, and one of the ladies spoke to her as Lucy.
 Phipps, Phlpps2 Where had 1 heard that name? When It's owner was not l looking at me studied her face, but could not remember to have seen her before. At times l was terrified lest she suspected that was a gentleman but at others she Ignored my pres ence so completely that felt assured she was as much deceived as the others, none of whom paid any more 1 attention to me than if l had been a waiter all my life, circumstance that I did not consider fattering. I confessed that l enjoyed that Christmas dinner very much. took in all the good things that were said, and there were a number of them, especial ! ly Miss Phipps, who was remarkably bright. The only reason why l should have liked to be one of the circle was that I enyied her dinner companion l l was about Co take my departure regretting that could not assume my own personality, join the party, tell them what fun had had in listening to their chat and observing their man ners, when Roger handed me some glasses containing pousse cafe and ! told me to take them into the com pany. I told him that 1 thought l wouldn't go further with the freak, but when he informed me that the hostess l had requested that bring iD the liquor ] I concluded that 1t would be better Co obey the order, though I wondered why I especially had been called upon. So ! I took up the tray and proceeded to the ] drawing room. I noticed as l entered ] that most of the guests were looking at me. Mir Pepper, a genial man with a bald head and mutton chop whiskers, ! beckoned me to set the tray on table | near which he was sitting and when l had done so said to me;
 CT understand from Roger that you have waited on us to learn the busi- ness. wish to say to you that you are the best waiter have ever seen. l would like to engage you permanently" There was singular look in his ! face when he said this, while the guests ceased chattering and listened.
 "Thank you, sir" replied. You are very good, sir. But l don't think I'm quite up to the work yet"
 Whats your naneP
 Charles, sir"
 "Do you know how to dance. | Charles|
 Dance? No, sir"
 Well, expect you1l have to try. There are just fifteen of us, and we're going to dance the lancers. We're just | one man short
 Every one arose, a couple of must cians were called in, and the men chose their partners. Miss Phlpps was the odd lady who was left out
 Had something occurred to reveal my secret, or had these persons, being short of a man to make up set and noticing my respectable appearance, called me in to help them outi l must wait and see. I marched up to l Miss Phipps. made as awkward bow 1 as l could contrive and led her on to | the floor.
 In order to carry out my part as waiter ! made no end of mistakes. l invariably at swing corners" turned to the wrong lady and in the grand chain got the dancers all mixed up. | For a time they rei'rained from laugh ing at me, and gathered confidence l that they were ignorant of my identity. | This encouraged me to make more blunders, and one by one they gave way to laughter till the whole company was in a roar. When the dance was ! ended. with assumed confusion and without taking my partner to a seat, I was making for the door when the host called out sternly:
 "CharlesT'
 1 "Yes. sir"
 Where are you goingP
 CT was going home. sir. have a wife and seven small children waiting l for me. sir"
 The burst of laughter that followed this excuse removed an doubt that I was known for what was Mss Phipps advanced and put out her hand.
 "You are not very complimentary" she said, having once made love to me and then forgotten me"
 q made love to your
 "Yes-on the mimic stage. Some years ago you took the part of butler in private theatricals, and I played housemaid. The byplay was between us, you trying to win me from the | cOachman.'
 Then for the first time recalled her Since my prank was discovered there was nothing to do but confess, and since the host and hostess would not permit me to decline an Invitation to join them in what remained of the Christmas festivities I consented and for the rest of the evening found my
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