The Press., 1920-12-30


 elder sister. l When he returned, a 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. With much agitation the compositor
 unrolled a tissue paper in his hand. , Lizzie, from the far doorway, saw,
 and gasped. He held a necklace of golden mug
 gets.
 Often had she seen it reposing in
 that box in Kfrmse's window. with the
 inscription:
 LARGEST NUGGET-CHAIN IN THE l WORLDl 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
 recklessly kiss the smiling little mouth.
 Lizzie withdrew quickly to her ], kitchen.
 1 Lizzie was not in the dining room , next morning. She was going home
 back to her fathers shanty, with the i 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 i hollow-eyed and pitifuI, she packed her few belongings. After all, she was a chiefs daugh- ter, not to be disdained. 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- kum mines, and standing beside him dangled from one finger a nugget chain.
 Look here, young man." he said kindly, "yOu mustn't get wrong line on the situation. Miss Kelly's foo young girl to think of nonsense. Pm 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 10 the necklace on the tableclOth. and choked, back a sob. A shadow passed the window. Looking up. he saw Lizzie in a de iected hat, the white slippers turning under her, crossing the grass with bag iH her hand.
 "Where's Liz going?" he asked, startled, of the other waitress.
 "HOme" she replied tartly. "GOt grouch on!'
 Going home! And he hadn't paid her. And Liz had been so kind.
 He snatched the sighted necklace from the table and ran out.
 He caught up with Lizzie on the bridge across the swift. clear mountain water.
 She turned stolid face to him.
 'Lizzie. you're not going!" 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 1t upon her. Then he hesitated
 l.o take this?" and doubtfully offered the necklace. Liz sneered That's not for In- l dians." she said For white girls" Then. the deuce with the thing 7"
 he cried angri'y, and flung 1t into the stream.
 Liz laughed. "I'on't go. Lfz," he entreated. "In- | dian girls are as good as white girls any day" Lizzie considered these pleasant tid- inys for a moment. ''l can cook fine." she said, melting. "I bet you can" agreed the com pnsitnr. After all. Lizzie was pretty girl.
 and what actual use is violin playing l in Alaska? We all have dreams at night-fan- tastic. breathless dreams-but when we wake up the real world suits us very well. "AlI right. You get the chain," Liz zie suggested graciOusly. And as the fur-lined cab drove into the yard to convey Miss Crystal Kelly
 to the station. the composition, his fashionable garments dripping with icy mountain water. once more fastened ,he largest nugget-chain in ih" world aronnd 2 willing neck. AND so IT WAS ILLUSTRATED