Gilpin observer., 1913-05-08
CHAPTER v.

Eleven o'clock on a moonlight night
In July Is bewitching time to sit
alone on a balcony and dream, and II
the dream be staged at Squirrel Inn,
where the scent of perennial stock
and the rich. salubrious tang Of the
hemlocks watt up to meet the nostrils,
II 1t be in the midst Of towering trees
with a lake lullaby chanting and
cconing on the beach and II the
spirit of wanderlust Is abroad to
charm and inspire. ah. then the time
and place and the girl are in harmony
sublime!
Judge Jackie Vining. clothed In a
loose, clinging house gown, sat alone
and gave her fancy free rein. enjoying
the serenity Of the night and the al
turing promises of her air castles
And ever and anon as she mused
there crept into her thoughts with
euffusion OF blood to her cheeks. the
scene OF the dogwood swamp. the
face Of the man who had held her
close against her will and slipped the
nectar of her lips.
"A perfect gentleman"
Somehow she felt a thrill OF graft
ncation at the verdict as rendered by
Mae Andrews. for Mae was one OF
the most charming of the ten girls
who idled at Squirrel Inn and her ap-
proval of the prisoner promised well
for the remaining nine. And. too. 1t
relieved her mind. somewhat. for the
responsibility rested heavily on her
fair head. AS the accepted leader OF
the vacationists she felt her account
ableness-and besides. II one is kissed
by a man one likes to know that after
all he Is gentleman. though bod
Confession is good for the soul. and
Jackie rejoiced that If she must be
her own father confessor. she at least
need not blush for the character Of
the man who made the confe ssion
necessary.
Her rejoicing was broken in upon
by the redolent odor of tobacco blend
Ing pungently with the perfume Of
the stock. She drew back into the
shadows. AS she did so. a white
clothed form sped lightly across the
lawn toward the house.
Miss Winnings heart thumped
strangely. The scudding figure was
that of a woman and in the moon
light her hair was fair. The appasi-
ton in white fitted up the hotel stairs
and disappeared.
The Judge" waited furtively. watch
Ing the summer house-from which
there soon emerged the figure of a
man-and in the night the red coal
Of his cigar glowed in the darkness!
Jackie's Indignation sprang into
monstrous being. Who of the ten
young ladies was holding a clandes.
tine meeting with His Honor. The
Mayor?
Could It be Mae Andrews?
Hastily slipping down the hotel
corridor. Judge Vining gently tried
the door Of Miss Andrews room. 1t
was locked. With heavy heart
Jackie returned to her apartment;
but as she lay tossing in dainty neg
ligee upon her bed. a new worry was
harassing her.
Any married woman will bear me
out when l say that II there is any
thing a man dislikes It is to go shop
ping. When Mabel Arney. the Tues
day girl. apprised Bedight that she
desired his protection on an expedi-
ton to Lakeville. he was ungracious
enough 70 deplore the fate that bound
him TO do as directed-and. besides
there was double reason why he
should not go to Lakeville. The game
warden and his company OF quick ar
resters undoubtedly loafed at the vii
lage livery stable and would bag him
lnstanter. He suggested Hornby as
trading post. dwelling enticingly upon
the advantages offered by the enter
prising merchants OF that four.cor.
nered community. But Miss Arney
sniffed coldly and commanded him to
bring forth the two saddle horses
owned by Mine Host.
The mayor went away with misgiv-
ings--but as the pair cantered of
down the wood road. his spirits rose
with the sun. Who could be, distrait
and gloomy with such q bewitching
little lady as Miss Mabel Arney smil.
Ing upon him from the saddle oppo-
tite?