The daily Alaskan., 1913-12-16
A CLEVER SWINDLE
Working the Game at an English
 Watering Place.
STORY OF A WORRIED WOMAN.

It Caught the Interest and Sympathy
 of the Prosperous Lounsers at the
 Fashionable Hotel, and the Rest of the Scheme Was Easy.
 "Tne prosperous" were lounging on the terrace of the leading hotel in the fashionable watering place stunning themselves. It was d magnificent aft ernoon. Everybody was la2ily good tempered and contributed to the gen. ernl air of we'll fed contentment. And then "tRe woman" put in an appear ance
 For q moment she stood on the stone steps that led up to the terrace, hesl- tatng. The prosperous" gapcd at her and wondered why she was there. They probably classified her as one of the respectable poor"
 The woman" could not disguise the fact that she was in trouble of some sort She advanced upon the pros porous add glanced timidly from face to face Then. gathering her courage in roth hands. she walked right past then into the veStibuIe of the hotel.
 4 title buzz of speculation arose. There was no doubt about 1t. They found the woman" interesting.
 "Nonder what's worrying herr" said one
 Perhaps she thinks of putting up and is a bit doubtful about the cui- sine" ca"kled would be wit The cold stare with which his remark was received told him that 1t was cOnsld- cred to te iu decidedly bad taste. AS a fact. "she prosperous, were inclined to feel sympathy for the woman" They haI been well fed. and 1t was a magnificent afternoon: also they were genuinely curious
 Soon she came out again. looking more drjected than ever. She looked around IS if for less public means of escape, hut. finding none. strode des- DCratelY forward
 My good woman. you seem to be in trouble Can ! do anything"
 It was the elderly military looking man Iu the corner who spoke-spoke gruGly as one who is in the habit of deing favors ungraciOusly. The pros rerous" thought 1t a trife daring. But they were secretly glad, And they ns- tened.
 "No. sir, thank you" replied "the Eomau."
 AnI then she belied her words by a mulEed sob
 "I--I-lt's nothing, sir-nothing at all." sle added
 The military looking man rose from his seat.
 Have the goodness to take that chair" he suid peremptorily, and tell US inc truth. l have no doubt that we shall be able to assist you"
 When she had partly composed her self "thc woman" stammered out her story with the aid of Duch prompt ing from her companion
 "I am a widow, a color sergeant in the Welsh Grays my husband was. I let lodgings in the town. There was a gentleman called Colonel MorTish boarded in my house righ on six months: said he'd pay me as soon as his dividends or somethln' came in at Ihe half year.
 "I managed 10 hold OGt and gave him the good table as te was accus- toned to. though it meant owing the landlord. But I'd do anything to have jhc gentry in my house.
 "The prosDprors" murmured sympa thencahy.
 "Just before the six months was up be said he'd have to come an' stny at this hotel to meet one of the directors who was going to pay him his money. An now they tell me that there never was no one here by the name of Colo uel Morrish. And-and-the baillffs come into my house this mornin', an they'll take all my furniture for the El2-I owe the landlord"
 "Twelye pouuds!" repeated the mili- tary looking man He hesitated and then fumbled in his pocket. Well dash it. here is f2 toward it." And his voice was gruffer than ever.
 He glarcd dercely at the meek little man by his side. who promptly began the, fumbIing process to cover his con- fusion
 Others fumbled, too, and at the end of couple of minutes the E12 was there,
 "I-I-can't take 1t, sir. T"-
 Madam. don't talk like fcol!' thUndered the military looking man. Run home and pay out those-bail- ifs"
 
 Late that evening in a room in the poorer quarters of the town "the .wo, man was lingering the soVereigns.
 That's ten quid to the good, any how" she said complacently. Where shall we try next?"