The daily Alaskan., 1916-11-07
The LiIeth.

across the foot of her bed Today the Lileth was to steam into San Marco harbOr. Today her bridegroom was to smile his slow British smile on her once more! She recalled these facts without the semb!ance of thrill.
 MT. Minot. after a lonesome If abun. dant breakfast, was at this moment strolling across the hotel courtyard to- ward yesterday mornings New York papers. As he walked the pert prom iSes of Alr. Trimmer tiled his mind. What Was the proposition MT. Trim mcr had in tow? How would it affect the approaching wedding: And what course Of action should the representa- tive of JephS0n pursue when it was re- vealed? For in the sensible light of morning Dick Minot realized that while he remained in San Marco as the guardian of JephSOn's interests he must do his duty Adorable Miss Mey- rick might be, but any change of mind on her part must be over his dead body. A promise was q promise.
 At the newsstand Ninot met Jack Paddock, juunty, with q gardenia in his buttouhyle and the atmosphere of pros yerity that goes with it.
 q haven't seen you since we left col lege, have If" said Paddock. "Wen, Dick, for couple of years I tried to make good doing fiction. l turned them out by the yard-nice quiet little tea table yu-us. with snappy dialogue. Once got $SO for q story. It was hard work-and l always yearn for the pur- pie, you know"
 T know" said MinOt gravely.
 Well, I've struck it, Dick. I've struck the deep purple with a loud, if sickeuiug, thud. Hist The graft l mentioned yesterday" He glanced over his shoulder Remember Mrs. Bruce, the wittiest hostess in San Marco"
 "Of course I do."
 Well l write her repartee for her"
 "Her whatT"
 Her repartee - her dialogue - the bright talk she convulses dinner tables with. Instead of putting my smart stuff into stories at eighty per l sell 1t to Mrs. Bruce at-Td be ashamed to tell you, C}d man. I remarked that it was essentially soft It is."
 This is a new one on me-" said Mi not, daZed.
 A delighted smile spread over Mir. Paddock's handsome face.
 Thanks. That's the beauty of 1t. I'm a pioneer Thcrell be others, but l was the first. Consider the situation. Here's Mrs. Bruce, loaded with dia- monds and money, but tongue tied in company, with q wit developed in a small town. Bright, but struggling, young author comes to her-Otfers to make her conversation the sensation of the place for a few pesos"
 You did that?'
 . "Yes; l ask pOsterity to remember 1t was I who invented the graft. Mrs, Bruce fell on my fair young neck, Now she gives me in advance list of her engagements, and for the impOr, tant ones I devise her line of talk. Then, as I'm usually present at the oc- casion, I swing things round for her and give her her cues. If I'm not there she has to manage 1t herself It's q great life, only bit of a strain on me. have to remember not to be clever in company. If I forget and spring a good one she jumps on me proper afterward for not giving 1t tc her"
 "By tue way" Paddock said, "yOu haven't told me what brought you southY
 Business, Jack" said MinOt. "Its a secret. Perhaps can tell you later
 Business? thought, of course, you came for pleasure"
 "Therell be no pleasure in this trlT for me-" said NIinot bitterly.
 "Oh, won't there?" Paddock laughed ''Wait till you hear Mrs. Bruce talk See you later, old man." At luncheon they brought Mir. MAo