The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1915-05-08
Cinderella.
p SUPPOSE it was somewhat pre-
sumptuous for an unknown bach.
eIor and recluse like myself to


eumptuous for an unknown bach
elor and recluse like myself to
think of giving a dance at the
Hermitage, but Barbara Frayne's sug-
gestion to that effect vas the first
thing to enter my mind after / left
the courtroom, and / stopped at Polli-
Get on my way from Melton the next
morning and reminded her Of her prom
Use to act as the committee Of arrange
ments. Her enthusiastic response set
tied the matter, and before the day
was over 1 was actively engaged in
fulfilling her preliminary orders. In
fact. for the next few weeks 1 thought
of little else, and the hours I passed
In the company Of my committee work
ing ND the details of the affair were
the happiest I had ever known But 1t
must be admitted that the long looked
for evening was a bitter disappoint-
ment when it came.
In the first place, the Fraynes did not
appear until the dance was in full
swing, and, in the second place, l saw
nothing of Miss Barbara after she ar
rived. Indeed, / had scarcely well
coined her when a beardless youth
whisked her away, and I merely caught
neeting glimpses of her afterward as
she glided across the hall or library
with one or another OF her numerous
partners. i had counted on having the
first dance with her, but I solaced my
self with the thought of the cotillon
which was to follow the supper, and
for a time my duties as host prevented
me from realizing how little the even
ing was fulfilling my expectations.
At upper / Unanswered to place
Miss Barbara at my table, but again
I was disappointed. and when i found
myself stranded with three hungry
chaperons 1 began to grow disguised
with the whole affair. ] shall never
forget the appetites of those women.
At first It was amusing to watch their
enjoyment of the refreshments, but as
time wore on and the dining room be-
gan to thin it ceased to be a joke, and
I grew restless, impatient and dis
couraged. At last, in sheer despair
that they would ever rise from the ia
BILE, / excused myself and hurried to
the library, but l had no ooner reach
ed 1t than / wished myself back again.
The cotillon had already begun, and
Barbara Frayne and Deake Gilbert
were paired as partners.
For a moment l stood in the crowd
ed doorway watching the merry throng
OF dancers, and then sought my den
at the back Of the house and, sitting
down In the curtained bay window,
gazed out on the wintry landscape. 1t
had been aggravating enough to. see
the girl for whom the dance was CIV
en- handed from one caliow youth to
another, but to stay and watch Gil
bert monopolize her for the cotillion
was more than / could tolerate.
The situation was ludicrous, but It
might easily have become humiliating
II any one had discovered my feelings,
and I promptly determined to rejoin
my guests and do all / could to make
the evening worthy Of its inspiration.
With this thought l turned quickly
from the window, but paused as !
caught the sound Of Abel Corning's
voice.
HE wouldn't have got much more
II he'd stood trial." the assistant prose
cutor was saying as he entered the
1 felt 1 could not meet Gilbert's as
sociate at that moment, and, hoping he
would soon retire, l drew back again
behind the curtains.
"But a ten year sentence is nothing
under the circumstances" protested
his companion, whom l recognized as
b fellow named Henley.
ITS enough for Barstow," answer
ed Corning, lighting a cigarette. 1.-The
mere fact of conviction means ruin to
a lawyer. He couldn't have been held
for more than m~anslaughter in the
first degree, and ! think Gilbert was
right in accepting something short OF
that to escape a long trial. They say
Alice Emory dissuaded Barstow from
making a fight. and, strange as it may
seem. she is sticking to him through
thick and thin. Women are queer
things"
.When did he. throw up the sponge?'
To-day"
The men smoked in silence for
awhile. and 1 waited impatiently for
them to finish their cigarettes.
'Do you believe the jury would have
convicted Alice Emory If she hadn't
gone on the stand?" inquired Henley,
after a pause.
Corning shrugged his shoulders.
"You must ask u host that ques-
tion," be responded. But even If they
had acquitted her most people would
have believed she was guilty and the
matter would never have been cleared
I'D. Barstow pretty nearly checkmat-