Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1914-07-10
The OTHER ALICE
BY KATHERINE HoPsoN.


It's all the fauIt OF my abominable
handwriting, and careless habit of
never crossing my t's," reflected Owen
Barton, as he reread the prim little
note Of acceptance from a girl he had
never invited.
And I've no one but myself to
blame" he added in acknowledgement
Of the fact that Alice Bari and Alice
Bart did look very much alike.
OF course, there's nothing to do but
carry Off the situation as if had in
tended 1t that way, and take Miss Bari
to the dance. l might have known
she would be invited to the Darvin's
dance on Tuesday. The Barls are an
old family here-older, even, than the
Barts, and the Darvins belong to the
conservative set.
"But-why, the situation is ridicu.
lous! hardly know the girl" He
searched his \ emory for recollections
OF Miss Bari.
1t was fanclt1l tate that caused him
to meet Alice Bart, the one of his
choice, on his way home from the
Office that afternoon. She was stand
ing in front Of jewelers. window.
You are late" greeted she. Guy
Pilson has been before you. and I've
promised to go with him to the dance
Tuesday night" There seemed to be
no doubt in her mind that he had in
tended to invite her
"Procrastination has defrauded many
a better man." retorted he regretfully.
"Oh, well, we'll all be at the same
place" she returned lightly. Then the
expression Of her blue eyes changed to
glittering hardness as her glance re-
turned to the Jewels.
Il must have them-the diamond
and sapphire necklacel" He could
see the slim fingers grind together.
Father has more than half promised
me-"
Barton's eyes shone in responsive
understanding. She seemed born for
things like these, and it was his idea
Of serving the woman he loved to deck
her with glittering Jewels.
Some time-some time, Alice,
hope to be in a position to buy things
like these, and have the right to give
them to you" He spoke with hur.
ried eagerness.
She laughed In response, but some
thing in it's quality disappointed him;
there was more calculating appraise.
ment than tenderness In her eyes,
AS he presented himself at the old
Bari homestead on the evening Of the
dance, he was met by Alice's mother.
When Alice appeared, dressed in a
simple white dress, he exerted himself
to please, and acknowledged to himself
that though she was not the type he
would have chosen, she was girl
any man might be proud to escort.
Yet when he arrived at the Darvin's
and saw. Alice Bart, his ardor for her
famed afresh. In q fllmy chiffon gown
over blue satin, she gave an effect not
often seen In Edgetown, and about
her throat was the necklace OF dia-
monds and sapphires she had coveted
In the jewelers. window.
During the evening Barton wan.
dered out on the veranda for cool
breath and quiet smoke. At FIRST
he thought he was alone, bat In few
moments he discovered two men
seated on q bench around the corner.
For months rye foreseen this crash
coming in Bart's affairs" said one.
For old friendships sake, I'd have
been willing to give him loan to tide
him over, II he'd shows any disposi-
tion to retrench in his personal ex.
penditure. For with care and economy
this might have been ayerted. But at
his present rate of living knew !
might as we'll throw my money out IN
the street for all the real good 1t would
do him."
Yes, that's true," responded tho
other, and Barton recognized the voice
OF Matthews, the senior partner In the
firm where he worked. "Hes tho anvi