The daily Alaskan., 1914-02-16


 You didn't, did you2'
 "Not word of it."
 "Win you get the captain to inter- pret the message for you when 1t cOmesY
 "No."
 "Theh how will you replyT
 "My reply is already decided on."
 Mrs. Spencer looked at her niece, surprised, and asked what the reply was. To her astonishment, Ethel de- clined to answer her question,
 "What's the matter with the child?" remarked Mrs. Spencer to herself as she turned away.
 The message was to be sent the next morning, since the lecture had not in- cluded night signals. Shortly after the Spencers had breakfasted word was sent to Ethel that she had been called by signal from the EsperanCe. She went on deck, and the Esperance was informed that she was ready to re- ceive what was to be said to her. The message was then sent, and Miss Dig by instead of making reply by the code went to her cabin and wrote one on a dainty bit of note paper. Mir. Elliot did not look for reply at once. He waited for It patiently. Presently he saw boat approaching from the Alpha. and when it reached him he was handed Miss Digbys note. He opened and read 1t with an ex- presslon of astonishment. All love stories must necessarily be imperfect. The old fashioned tale of love purpogted to be a photograph of the feelings of the respective lovers. This was and Is impossible. Whether or no there was any covert lovemak- ing between Farnsworth Elliot and Ethel Digby too subtle to be perceived by others or perhaps to be a matter of consciousness by either one or both of the parties concerned Is an open ques- ton. Elliot's message indicates that he at least was gallant It read:
 I sail tomorrow. Kindly inform me of yc,." address when you reach home.
 Lnere was certainly no loyemaHng on the face of this message, and 1t meant nothing to Ethel. for she under stood not word of it
 Elliot took the reply to his message to his cabin and locked himself in. After an hours meditation he ordered his gig to be manned at o'clock. At the appointed hour he was pulled to the Alpha and asked for Mir. Spencer That gentleman invited him to a seat under the awning on the afterdeck, and when the two were seated Elliot informed his host that he had come to ask for the hand of his niece.
 Smothering his surprise, Mir. Spencer reminded the applicant that Ethel was his wife's niece and referred him to her. The lady was called, and, her husband having given place to her, Mir. Elliot repeated hIs request The lady, also mastering her astonishment, said to MT. Elliot that If her niece was pleased to accept him she had no Ob- jectiOns. Then the suitor drew from his pocket Miss Digby's reply to his message and handed It to Mrs. Spencer. It read:
 I am highly honored by your proposal Following the dictates of my heart, my reply Is "Yes."
 Mrs. Spencer was not the woman to stand in the way of a consummation so devoutly to be wished. That her niece had achieved a coup d'etat was evident to her, and, being a woman of quick perception, at least a glim- mering of how this golden fish had been landed broke in upon her brain.
 q assure you, Mir. Elliot" she said, extending her hand, you will be cor daily welcomed into our family. And now If you will go to the cabin will go to my niece and send her to you"
 Ethel" she said, embracing her niece, "you demure little thing, how did you ever dare do it?"
 "I don't know" was the only reply, and 1t Is quite probable that 1t was true one.
 There was no diminution of Miss Digby's demureness as she joined her suitor. She approached him with downcast eyes.
 T am pleased,' he said gallantly, that you interpreted my message cor rectly. 1 feared you would not"
 q think its meaning came to me through the heart" she said, with her eyes still on the floor. T am ever so happy that was right. Had l been wrong l would never have been able to look you in the face again."
 Such a reply could not possibly be wrong. You have made me the happi- est of men,"
 The Spencers and Miss Digby were taken on board the Esperance and the Alpha sent north under command of her captain.
 Your courtshIp," said Mrs, Spencer to her niece. "begins after the engage ment You have got the cart before the horse"
 How do you know, my dear aunt, when 1t began?'
 q don't"
 Mrs. Elliot is now one of the leaders of fashion in New York and Newport. She is still very young, but 1t Is ad- mitted that she has an old head on her sbO1,I1o-g IJor ouDt r-boDo cha baa