The daily Alaskan., 1917-01-27
DNDNL/NDNpNL/ND NDNDNINgNlNN What a Kiss
 Cost
 A Story of Southern
 Persons Long Ago
Bu F. A. MITCHELL

I lGNGSC SOSCNCN NCNCNCS0SCSCOC
 My granddaughter Marian was my favorite of all my descendants of her generation. What was the cause of my feeling for her Is hard to specify. She was Marian Whitlock, and there was but one Marian Whitlock. It was not that she was a strong character, ! for she was not. She was not only needless, but blind to the result of her 1 heedlessness. But she was lovable. In deed, she was loved through her faults rather than her good qualities. At least I, her grandmother, loved her on that account.
 Marian used to tell her grandmoth- CT more about what was going on be- tween her and her young men asso- ciates than any one else. Why she did this I don't know unless 1t was be- cause I realized and therefore sympa- | thized with the conditions under which she labored. Candor compels me to ad- init that she possessed traits which had | shown themselves in me when I was | her age, and 1t Is more than probable | that she inherited them from me. While endeavored to guide her out of the effects of her indiscretions never lectured her for having been indiscreet. l realized that indiscretion was trait born in her and was not likely to be eradicated till she had grown beyond the age when it would lead her into trouble.
 Marian used to come to me in a light hearted way with her perplextles, but one day she gave evidence that what she had to tell was of a serious nature.
 Grandma" she said, T have gone and done 1t now and no mistake"
 What is 1t, chlldT' asked.
 "You know Elliot Walker?"
 "Yes."
 "Well, Elliot and were in the mu- sic room, at the piano. he turning over the sheets" She paused. l gave her time.
 Elliot bent lower and lower over my shoulder. l suppose should have moved, but didn't"
 "Wel?"
 "He kissed me-" I refrained from comment on this and waited for the denouement. "I don't know what it was that prompted me to act as I did I was certainly not offended. had expected when didn't move that he would kiss me and should not have thought much of him if he hadn't. It was not that I was prudiSh; 1t was-well, don't know what 1t was, unless 1t was Old Nick got Into me. But l arose from the piano, looked daggers at him and, turning, started to leave the room. What was my surprise to see Herbert Kenworthy standing in the door of the music room. Elliot and l had not been aware of his approach, and he had seen the whole performance"
 What did you do next?" I asked anxiously.
 "Why. you see, couldn't very we'll say that I had encouraged Elliot to kiss me, could I?'
 GO On."
 And couldn't say that was not really offended"
 What did you do?"
 "Why, went on out of the room"
 And didn't go back?"
 "Yes, after a few minutes"
 And what did you sGy?"
 "Nothing about what had happened I began to chat with Herbert, while Elliot sat looking very much embar- rasSed."
 "Oh, Marlanw I was aware that these two young men were rivals for Marians favor. We were southern persons, and in the south our men are hot blooded. Her bert Kenworthy had seen Elliot Wal ker give Marian what appeared to be an insult, which she could only resent as a woman. If trouble between the young men did not result then I was no judge of human nature. All this flashed through my brain, and I said to Marian:
 Did your two visitors show any animosity toward each other?"
 "None whatever. But, grandma, have heard since that which leads me to fear
 "What?"
 q have been told that this morning they were playing billiards together at the club and Elliot charged Herbert with showing up points that he had not made. Herbert called Elliot a liar, and Elliot struck him."
 I did not ask to hear any more. l knew well that the young men would not play billiards together after what had occurred except for purpose, that ] purpose being to make it appear that a different cause from the real one had resulted in an animosity which would doubtless lead to duel, their object being to keep Marian's name from be- ing involvedin the affair,
 What have you heard sinceT ask ed anxiously of Marian.
 Nothing"
 I doubted if Marian foresaw what | UOuld bn tha nrObabla result of all