The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1915-04-02

= MY|A'" J
himself and the rest Of mankind be-
cause Of his success that he deter
mined to minglc IL little more freely in
the social life of the ship, for that
evening ut least. Perhaps something
OF the spirit Of the night before Christ
mas stirred his blood. as it did that Of
many another in this palace OF the
ocean,: perhaps the vision of ii very
pretty French maid called with its
piuuant suggestion.
At any rate. when, after dinner, he
heard Brill say that there might be a
crowd in the drawing roonl, where
there was to he Il final meeting of the
concert committee. he paid some little
extra attention to his own toilet and
followed his patron to the scene of
gnNcty.
Stcbbins WAS not disappointed. The
drawing room was brilliant with extra
lights and decorations of Christmas
holly. 1t was filled with a merry. chat
tcring company. II large group
mostly of men, Stebbins noticed-sur-
rounded this tall Miss Jcnnison his
master seemed to hold in such high
regard. He could see that it was her
conversation that aroused their laugh
ter. and he also noted that even the
mighty pcnnythorpc was reduced to
monoSyllablcs in the presence of this
young omn
Brill. likewise. had taken in the pic
turc. and had perceived II figure that
had made no impression Oh his retain
or. II was that Of the thin and satur-
nine BENEDICT. who stood near the
hcautcous Marion. but silently. as if
tho clamor Of the others were beneath
him.
But when Miss JcnniSon CHANGED to
look in Brill's direction the cotcrie
around her was abandoned quickly for
the committeeman. with whom there
was most important business to trans
act. AS she drew near. Aristidcs had
his first opportunity for a full estimate
of her personality. He was interested
at last. for the events Of the past few
days had impressed upon his sou the
fact that this 1.-the, graceful young
woman With the very dark hair was to
play an Important part in his patrons
life, whether won or lost. He approx I'd
of her in n mild way. but decided that
for him Il little more color and vivacity
would be preferable.
Professor Pcnnythorpc quickly en-
trained himself with the committee,
and when Mrs. Rluchcr-Ward was dis
covered. awakened and brought into
the fold. which Marsh meantime join
ed. the quintet found a convenient cor
ncr and began its momcntous dclibcr-
atiuns.
As Miss Jennison launched forth into
an eloquent description Of the joys
that were to entrance the ears of the
audience the following evening Bene-
diet passed the group II went on to a
writing desk. where he sat down and
busted himself with nm sheets of pa
per. Brill had caught MI flash Of his
Spectaclcs straight in his face as he
passed, but it gay him 10 concern
now. The present advantage was all
his own.
"\ow," cried Marion cnthusiastical-
", 1--WE must write down the program
in order. Have YOU some paper or 4
memorandum book. Mr.. Marsh:'
II haven't. Miss %Jennisol, but l will
get some paper if YOU
NO. thank O u I'll &c myself" said
the girl, crossing to where the Mexican
wa sitting. brill saw her lean over
and speak to him and saw him raise
the sheet upon which he had been
writing, fold and put 1t in his pocket.
Then the girl took Il little of the paper
and turned back as Benedict left the
room.
.You write, Mr.. Marsh" she said
brightly.
Stehbins. who was sitting ut n re-
spectful distance, yet could hear the
conversation. thought the young wom-
an was paving more than the necessary
heed to the fat commercial man and
not enough to his fascinating patron,
and he put her taste down us mex
pliclbly curious.
Curious, too, was tho start he saw
Marsh give upon looking ut the paper
Miss .Icnnison had brought. Fully as
strange was the fact that the man slip
ped the top sheet into his pocket in a
furtive sort of way. After this moth
ing especially noteworthy happened SO
far as Stebbins could see, and. lulled
by the soothing motion and the ca
ressing luxury Of his chair, &c pro.
cecded to fall aslecr. -..