Tombstone epitaph., 1918-03-24

ice for the first time last winter. The other women felt that she was bird of passage. that the frozen Arctic could be no more than a whim to her. They deferred e little to her because she knew the great world-New York. Vienna. London. Paris. Great names fell from her lips casually and care lessly. She was full of spicy little anecdotes about German royalty and the British aristocracy. It was no won- der. Gordon Elliot thought. that she had rather stunned the little social set of Kusiak.
 Through Northrup and Trelawney . Gordon. He had fallen into casual talk with them after dinner on the fore deck. To his surprise the young man discovered that they bore him no grudge at all for his interference the night before.
 "But we ain't through with Colby Macdonald yet" Trelawney explained. Mind. I don't say we're going to get him. Nothing like that. Here's the point. We stand for Labor He stands for Capital. See? Things ain't what they used to be in Alaska. and It's be- cause of Colby Macdonald and his friends. They're grabbers - that's what they are. They want the whole works. Understand: It's up to us to fight. ain't it?"
 Later Elliot put this viewpoint be fore Strong.
 There's something in it." the miner agreed. Wages have gone down. and its partly because the big fellows are consolidating interests. Alaska ain't a poor mans country the way it was But Mac ain't to blame for that. He has to play the game the way the cards are dealt out"
 The sky was clear again when the Hannah drew in to the wharf at Moose Head to unload freight, but the mud In the unpaved streets leading to the business section of the little frontier town was instep deep. Many of the passengers hurried ashore to make the most of the five-hour stop. Elliot put on . pair of heavy boots and started uptown.
 At the end of the wharf he passed Miss O'Neill. She wore no rubbers and she had come to a halt at the begin ming of the mud. After a momentary indecision she returned slowly to the boat.
 The young man walked up into the town. but ten minutes later he crossed the gangplank of the Hannah again with a package under his arm. Miss O'Neill was sitting on the forward deck. making a pretense to herself of reading.
 He moved over to where she sat and lifted his hat. q hope you won't think it liberty. Miss O'Neill. but I've brought you some rubbers from a store uptown. noticed yor couldn't get ashore withou: them" The girl was visibly embarrassed. She was not at all certain of the right thing to do. Where she had been brought up young men did not offer courtesies of this sort so informally. Fl think I won't need them. thank you. I've decided not to leave the boat" she answered shyly. Elliot had never been accused of be- ing a quitter. Having begun this. he proposed to see it out. He caught sight of the purser experimenting the discharge of cargo and called to him by name. The officer joined them. a pad of paper and a pencil in his hand. "Tm trying to persuade Miss O'Neili that she ought to go ashore while we're lying here. What was 1t you told me about the waterfall back of the ! townr'
 "Finest thing of its kind in Alaska. Everyone takes it In. We won't get away tiii night. You've plenty of time If you want to see 1t"
 "Now. will you please introduce me to Miss O'Neill formallyT' The purser went through the usual formula of presentation, adding that Elliot was . government official on his way to Kusiak. Having done his duty by the young man, the busy su- percargo retired
 I'm sure 1t would do you good to walk up to the waterfall with me, Miss O'Neill," urged Elliot. She met a little dubiously the smile that would not stay quite extinguished on his good-looking, boyish face. Why shouldn't she go with him, since 1t was the American way for unchaperoned youth to enjoy itself naturally7
 'If they'll nt." the girl answered eying the rubbers.
 Gordon dropped to his knees and demonstrated that they would | As they walked along the muddy street she gave him . friendly little nod of thanks. Good of you to take the trouble to look out for me-" He laughed. "It was myself I was looking out for. I am . stranger h the country and was awfully lone some."
 "Is it that this is your first time in. tooT' she asked shyly.
 You're going to Kusiak, aren't you3 Do you know anybody thereY replied Elliot.
 "My cousin lives there. but I haven't seen her aipee I was ten. 0he's ar American. Eleven years go shs vis ited us In Ireland"
 Tn glad yoa kn0w so0eoae," ha asa sYouu nst bs Q Iooesone v1t1 ssos q your pespas living thess.
 -Ass you going te live st Kss1akY l ~Go: m be sentooed b ths tsEss