The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1915-03-27

himself and the rest of mankind be-
cause of his success that he deter
mined TO mingle a little more freely In
the social life Of the ship, for that
evening at 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 n very
pretty French maid called with its
piquant suggestion.
At any rate. when, after dinner, he
heard Brill say that there might be a
crowd in the drawing room, where
there was TO be a final meeting of the
concert committee, he paid some little
extra attention to his own toilet and
followed his patron TO the scene of
gayety.
Stebbins was not disappointed. The
drawing room was brilliant with extra
lights and decorations of Christmas
holly. 1t was filled with a merry, chat
tering company. One large group
mostly of men, Stebbins n~oticed-sur-
rounded this tall Miss Jennison his
master seemed to hold in such high
regard. He could see that it vas her
conversation that aroused their laugh
ter, and he also noted that even the
mighty Pennythorpe was reduced to
m%onosyllables in the presence of this
young IN
Brill, likewise, had taken in the pic
ture, and had perceived one figure that
had made no impression on his retain
er, 1t was hat of the thin and satur-
nine Benedict, who stood near the
beauteous Marion, but silently, as II
the clamor of the others were beneath
him.
But when Miss Jennison CHANGED to
look in Brill's direction the coterie
around her was abandoned quickly for
the committeeman. with whom there
was most important business to rams
act. As she drew near, A%ristides 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 soul 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 approved
of her in a mild way, but decided that
for him a little more color and vivacity
would be preferable.
Professor Pennythorpe quickly en-
trained himself with the committee.
and when Mrs. Butcher Ward was dis
covered. awakened and brought INTO
the fold, which Marsh meantime JOIN
ed. the quintet found a convenient cor
ner and began its momentous deliber-
ations.
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 and went on 20 a
writing desk. where he sat down ana
busted himself with some sheets or pa
per. Brill had caught n flash or his
'~spectacles straight in his face as he
passed. but il gave him no concern
now. The present advantage was all
his own.
..Now," cried Marion enthusiastical-
ly, 1--WE must write down the program
in order. Have you some paper or a
memorandum book. Mr.. MarshF
Il haven't. Miss Jennison, but VIII
get some paper if YOU
mo. thank you I'll go myself. said
the girl, crossing to where the Mexican
was sitting. Brill saw her lean over
and speak to him and saw hin raise
the sheet upon which he had been
writing. fold and put it III his pocket.
Then the girl took a little of the paper
and turned back as Benedict left the
room.
You write, Mr.. Marsh" she said
brightly.
Stebbins. who was sitting at a re-
spectful distance. yet could hear the
conversation, thought the young wom-
an was paying more than the necessary
heed to the fat commercial man and
not enough to his fascinating patron,
and he put her taste down as mex
plicably curious.
Curious. too. was the start he saw
Marsh give upon looking ut the paper
Miss Jennison 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, re pro-