Gilpin observer., 1920-09-09


expression of her race.
The boss of the Skookum mines had
made the path straight for the Crystal
Concert company.
He, as an arctic brother of the de-
funct Kelly, had engaged the hall, had
| attended to the decorations, and this
evening, in the distinguished boast of
Skagway, Il cab lined with fur patch
work, in which squirrel supplied the
casual deficiencies of wolf and bear
skin, came to convey the ladies to the
concert
He found the sisters at the piano
in the dining room. Crystal was prac-
ticing to warm up.
The compositor stood by, all eyes
and ears. Behind them Lizzie noisfly
cleared the tables.
"Traumerei' died enchantingiy upon
the air. Miss Kelly lowered her vio-
lin and looked around childishly for
applause
The hypnotized compositor drew
deep breath.
"Say, you amt goin' right away?"
he asked with sudden inspiration.
Not for twenty minutes" said the
elder sister.
When he returned, quarter of an
hour later, the sister had gone upstairs
to bring Crystals things.
She stood now on the lowest step,
her hand in the hand of the Skookum
boss. who was talking earnestly.
Alone inside, Crystal was storing
her violin in its leather case.
a..
unrolled tissue paper in his hand.
Lizzie, from the far doorway, saw,
| and gasped.,
He held necklace of golden mug
gets.
Often had she seen 1t reposing in
| that box in Kirmse's window, with the
inscription:
LARGEST NUGGET CHAIN IN THE
WORLD!
Now she saw the compositor radi-
antly approach Miss Kelly, heard her
cry of admiration, saw her stretch
her velvet-covered throat to meet the
shining circlet, saw the compositor, as
his hands met behind the willing neck.
| recklessly kiss the smiling little
mouth.
Lizzie withdrew quickly to her
| kitchen.
Lizzie was not in the dining room
next morning. She was going home,
back to her fathers shanty, with the
marble tombstone in the front yard,
and the proud, gilded signboard over
| the door, announcing: Joseph Shakes,
Head Chief of the Taku Tribe" Deaf
to all entreaty, her immature face
hollow-eyed and pitiful, she packed
her few belongings.
After all, she was chiefs daugh-
ter, not to be dsdained. Lizzie re-
fused to stay.
The compositor, arrayed in Skag-
ways newest styles hung around the
dining room.
Then entered the boss of the Skoo-
kun mines. and standing beside him
dangled from one finger nugget
chain.
| Look here, young man." he said
kindly. 'you mustn't get wrong line
on the situation. Miss Kelly's too
young a girl to think of nonsense. I'm
going to marry her sister, and I'm re-
sponsible for her. Her plans are talk
ing her away from here Immediately.
She can't accept any valuable gifts un-
der misunderstanding"
The Skookum boss laid the nugget
chain on the table, and went out.
The cOmpOsitOr stared helplessly
| after him, dropped his dazed eyes to
the necklace on the tablecloth, and
choked back a sob.
| oh hn y,ipl
Looking up. he saw Lizzie in n de-
jected hat, the white slippers turning
under her, crossing the grass with
bag in her hand.
"Where's Liz going?" he asked
startled, of the other waitress.
Home" she replied tartly. "Got
crouch on!'
Going home! And he hadn't paid
her And Liz had been so kind.
He snatched the sighted necklace
| from tile table and ran out.
He caught up with Lizzie on the
bridge across the swift, clear mountain
water.
She turned a stold face to him.
| Lizzie, you're not goingv he re-
monstrated. "Why. | haven't paid
you"
He pulled out his sack of nuggets.
He poured an extravagant heap into
his handkerchief.
She shook her head.
"Too much" she said. but he thrust
II upon her. Then he hesitated.
Liz" he stammered. won't you
take thls?" and doubtfully offered the
necklace.
Liz sneered. That's not for In
| dams" she said "For white girls"