ti ml i i T i 1 1
bob imnpidn
f PLACER01
they "may "prove unduly harsh. I I
feci that these applications came
through the special intercession of a
certain younK lady, ami I am anxious
not to hurt her feelings in any way, or
to discourage her enthusiasm."
I see! Would you mind telling
me the names of the two gentlemen?"
".Mr. John Moffat and .Mr. William
McNeil. Unfortunately, I know neither
personally."
"And the ycung lady?"
"A Miss I'hoeho Spencer; she has
but lately arrived from the east to
take charge of our new scIhkjI a most
interesting and charming young wom
an, and she Is proving of great assist
ance to me in church work."
Tho lieutenant cleared his throat
and emitted a sigh of suddenly awak
ened memory. "1 fear I can offer you
no advice, for If, as I begin to suspect,
though she sought most bravely to
avoid the issue and dispatch me upon
a false trail, she prove to be that
Fame fascinating young person I met
this morning, my entire sympathies
are with the gentlemen concerned. 1
might even be strongly tempted to do
likewise at her solicitation."
"You? Why, you arrived only this
morning, and do you mean to say you
have met already?"
"I at least suspect as much, for
there can scarcely exist two in this
town who will fill the description. My
memory holds the vision of a fair
young face, vivacious, ever changing
in Its expression, yet constantly both
piquant and innocent; a perfect wealth
of Lair, a pair of serious eyes hiding
mysteries within their depths, and lips
which seem made to kiss. Tell me, is
not this a fairly drawn portrait of
your Miss Spencer?"
The minister gripped his hands ner
vously together. "Your description is
not unjust; indeed, it is quite accurate
from a mere outer point of view, yet
beneath her vivacious manner I have
found her thoughtful, and possessed of
deep spiritual yearnings. In the east
she was a communicant of the Episco
pal church."
Brant did not answer him at once,
lie was studying the minister's down
cast face; but when the latter finally
turned to depart, he inquired, "Do you
expect to attend the reception to-morrow
evening?'
Wynkoop stammered slightly. "I I
could hardly refuse under the circum
stances; the committee sent me an
especially urgent invitation, and I un
derstand there is to be no dancing un
til late. One cannot be too struiglit
laced out here."
"Oh, never mind apologizing. I see
no reason why you need hesitate to at
tend. I merely wondered if you could
procure me an invitation."
"Did she tell you about it?"
"Well, she delicately hinted at it,
and, you know, things are pretty slow
here in a social way. She merely sug
gested that I might possibly meet her
again there."
"Of course; it is given in her
honor."
"So I understood, although she
sought to deceive me into the belief
that she was not the lady. We met
purely by accident, you understand,
and I am desirous of a more formal
presentation."
The minister drew in his .breath
sharply, but the clasp of his extended
hand was not devoid of warmth. "I
will have a card of invitation sent you
at the camp. The committee will be
very glad of your presence; only I
warn you frankly regarding the lady,
that competition will be strong."
"Oh, so far as that is concerned I
have not yet entered the running,"
laughed Brant, in affected careless
ness, "although I must confess my
sporting proclivities are somewhat
aroused."
He watched the minister walking
rapidly away, a short, erect figure, ap
pearing slender in his severely cut
black cloth. "Poor little chap," he
muttered, regretfully. "He's hard hit.
Still, tley say all's fair in love and
war."
CHAPTER XIV.
In Honor of Miss Spencer.
Mr. Jack Moffat, president of the
Bachelor Miners' Pleasure club, had
embraced the idea of a reception for
Miss Spencer with unbounded enthu
siasm. Indeed, the earliest conception
of such an event found birth within
his fertile brain, and from the first he
determined upon making it the most
notable social function ever known in
that portion of the territory.
The large space above the Occi
dental was secured for the occasion,
tho obstructing subdivisions knocked
away, an entrance constructed with an
outside stairway leading up from a va
cant lot, and the passage connecting
the saloon boarded up. Incidentally,
Mr. Moffat took occasion to announce
that If "any snoozer got drunk and
came up them stairs" he would be
thrown bodily out of a window. Mr.
McNeil, who was observing the pre
liminary proceedings with deep inter
est from a pile of lumber opposite,
sarcastically intimated that under such
circumstances the attendance of club
members would be necessarily limited.
Mr. Moffat's reply it is manifestly im-
fi ii
possible to quote literally. Mrs. fluf
fy was employed to provide the requi
site refreshments in the palatial din-lng-hall
of the hotel, while Buck Ma
son, the vigilant town marshal, popu
larly supposed to know intimately the
face of every "rounder" in the terri
tory, agreed to collect the cards of in
vitation at the door, and bnr out ob
noxious isitor3.
The invited guests arrived from the
sparsely settled regions round about,
not a few riding for a hundred miles
over the hard trails. The majority
came early, arrayed in whatsoever ap
parel their limited wardrobes could
supply, but ready for any wild frolic.
The men outnumbered tho gentler sex
five to one, but every feminine repre
sentative within a radius of about 50
miles, whose respectability could pos
sibly pass muster before the investiga
tions of a not too critical invitation
committee, was present.
Lieut. Brant was somewhat delayed
in reaching the scene. Certain mili
tary requirements were largely re
sponsible for this delay, and he had
patiently wrestled with an unsatisfac
tory toilet, mentally excoriating a
service which would not permit the
transportation of dress uniforms while
on scouting detail.
The dance was already in full swing
when he finally pushed his way
through the idle loungers gathered
about the door, and gained entrance to
the hall. Many glanced curiously at
him, attracted by the glitter of his uni
form, but he recognized none among
them, and therefore passed steadily
l nr.' 2 4 i
f
"Miss Spencer, May I Inquire If You
Possess Such a Phenomenon as
a 'Star' Pupil?"
toward the musicians' stand, where
there appeared to be a few unoccu
pied chairs.
The scene was one of color and ac
tion. He watched the speeding fig
ures, striving to distinguish the par
ticular one whose charms had lured
him thither. But among them all he
was unable to distinguish the wood
nymph whose girlish frankness and
grace had left so deep an impression
on his memory. Yet surely she must
be present, for, to his understanding,
this whole gay festival was in her
honor. Directly across the room he
caught sight of Rev. Mr. Wynkoop
conversing with a lady of somewhat
rounded charms, and picked his way
in their direction.
The missionary, who, in truth, had
been hiding an agonized heart behind
a smiling face, was only too delighted
at any excuse which would enable him
to approach Miss Spencer, and press
aside those cavaliers who were mo
nopolizing her attention. The handi
cap of not being able to dance he felt
to be heavy, and he greeted the lieu
tenant with uni'.sual heartiness of
manner.
"Why, most assuredly, my dear sir,
most assuredly," he said. "Mrs. Hern
don, permit me to make you acquaint
ed with Lieut. Brant of the Seventh
cavalry."
The two, thus introduced, bowed and
exchanged a few words, while Mr.
Wynkoop busied himself in peering
about the room, making a great pre
tense at searching out the lady guest,
who, in very truth, had scarcely been
absent from his sight during the en
tire evening.
"Ah!" he ejaculated, "at last I lo
cate her, and, fortunately, at this mo
ment she is not upon the floor, al
though positively hidden by the men
clustering about her chair. You will
excuse us. Mrs. Ilerndon. but I have
promised Lieut. Brant a presentation
to your niece."
They slipped past the musicians'
stand, and the missionary pressed in
through the ring of admirers.
"Why, Mr. Wynkoop!" and she ex
tended both hands impulsively. "And
only to think, you have never once
been near me all this evening! You
don't know how much I have missed
you. I was just saying to Mr. Moffat
or it might have ben Mr. McNeil
that I was completely tired out and
wished you were here to sit out this
dance with me."
Wynkoop blushed and forgot the
errand which had brought him there,
but she remained sufficiently cool and
observant. Che touched him gently
Lv-yVc-i J' i n i
!
with her hand.
"Who Is that fine-looking young offi
cer?" she questioned softly, yet with
out venturing to remove her glanc
from his face.
Mr. Wynkoop started. "Oh, exactly;
I had forgotten my mission. He has
requested an Introduction." He drew
the lieutenant forward. "Lieut. Brant,
Miss Spencer."
The officer bowed, a slight shadow
of disappointment In his eyes. The
lady was unquestionably attractive,
her face animated, her reception most
cordial, yet she was not the maiden of
the dark, fathomless eyes and the
wealth of auburn hair.
"Such a pleasure to meet you," ex
claied Miss Spencer. "Do you know,
lieutenant, that actually I have never
before had the privilegeof meeting
an officer of the army." Your appear
ance supplies the one touch of color
that was lacking to make the picture
complete. Mr. Moffat has done so
much to make me realize the breadth
of western experience, and now, I de
so hope, you will some time find oppor
tunity to recount to me some of your
army exploits."
The lieutenant smiled. "Most glad
ly; yet just now, I confess, the music
invites me, and I am sufficiently bold
to request your company upon the
floor."
Miss Spencer sighed regretfully.
"Why, really, Lieut. Brant, I scarcely
see how I possibly can. I have al
ready refused so many this evening,
and now I almost believe I must be
under direct obligation to some one
of those gentlemen. Still," hesitating
ly, "your being a total stranger here
must be taken into consideration. Mr.
Moffat, Mr. McNeil, Mr. Mason, surely
you will grant me release this once?"
There was no verbal response to the
appeal, only an uneasy movement; but
her period of waiting was extremely
brief.
"Oh, I knew you would; you have
all been so kind and considerate."
She arose, resting her daintily gloved
hand upon Brant's blue sleeve, her
pleased eyes smiling up confidingly
Into his. Then with a charming smile,
"Oh. Mr. Wynkoop, I have decided to
claim your escort to supper. You do
not care?"
Wynkoop bowed, his face like a
poppy.
"I thought you would not mind oblig
ing me in this. Come, lieutenant."
Miss Spencer, when she desired to
be, was a most vivacious companion,
and always an excellent dancer. Brant
easily succumbed to her sway, and be
came, for the time being, a victim to
her charms. To Brant the experience
brought back fond memories of his
last cadet ball at the Point, and he
hesitated to break the mystic spell
with abrupt questioning. Curiosity,
however, finally mastered his reti
cence. "Miss Spencer," he asked, "may I
inquire if you possess such a phenome
non as a 'star' pupil?"
The lady laughed merrily, but her
expression became somewhat puzzled.
Really, what a very strange question!
Why, not unless it might be little
Sammy Worrell; he can certainly use
the longest words I ever heard of out
side a dictionary. Why, may I ask?
Are you especially interested in prod
igies?" "Oh, not in the least; certainly not
in little Sammy Worrell. The person
I had reference to chances to be a
young woman, having dark eyes, and a
wealth of auburn hair. We met quite
by accident, and the sole clew I now
possess to her identity is a claim she
advanced to being your 'star' pupil."
Miss Spencer sighed somewhat re
gretfully, and her eyes fell. "J fear
it must have been Naida, from yur
description. But she is scarcely nio'3
than a child. Surely, lieutenant, it
cannot be possible that you have be
come interested in her?"
He smiled pleasantly. "At lest IS,
is she not? I was somewhat impressed
with her evident originality and hoped
to renew our slight acquaintanceship
here in more formal manner. She is
your 'star' pupil, then?"
"Why, she is not really in my school
at all, but I outline the studies she
pursues at home, and lend her such
books as 1 consider best adapted for
her reading. She is such a strange
girl!"
"Indeed? She appeared to me to be
extremely unconventional, with a de
cided tendency for mischief. Is that
your meaning?"
"Partially. She manages to do
everything in a different way frcm
other people. Her mind seems pecu
liarly independent, and she is so un
reservedly western in her ways and
language. But I was referring rather
to her taste in books she devours
everything."
"You mean as a student?"
"Well, yes, I suppose so; at least
she appears to possess the faculty of
absorbing every bit of information,
like a sponge. Sometimes she actual
ly startles me with her odd questions.
I really believe Mr. Wynkoop seeks to
avoid meeting her, she has shocked
him so frequently in religious mat
ters." "Does she make light of his faith?"
"Oh, no, not that exactly, at least it
is not her intention. But she wants
to know everything why we believe
this and why we believe that, doc
trines which no one else ever dreams
of questioning, and he cannot seem to
make them clear to her mind. Sorrfe
of her questions are so irreverent as
to be positively shocking to a spirit
ually minded person."
They lapsed into silence, swinging
easily to the guidance of the music.
His face was grave and thoughtful.
This picture just drawn of the per
verse Naida had not greatly lowered
her in his estimation, although he felt
instinctively that Miss Spencer was
not altogether pleased with his evi
dent Interest In another. . -
"It is very Interesting to know that
you two met in so unconventional a
way," she ventured, softly, "and so
sly cf her not even to mention it to
me. We are room-mates, you know,
and consequently quiLe intimate, al
though fIip possesses n: i:iy i rculiar
cli'ir:cteri.-tic: which I car. not in the
leust npprovi1. I shall certainly do my
best to guldy her aright. Would you
ii:!nd rri.ing ir.e some details of your
meeting?"
For a moment he hesitated, feeling
tint-if the girl had not seen fit to con
fide her adventure to this particular
friend, it was hardly his place to do
so. Then, remembering thi.t he had
already said enough to arouse curi
osity, which might easily be developed
into suspicion, he determined his
course. In a few worths the brief story
was frankly told, and apparently
proved quite amusing to Miss Spencer.
"Oh, that was Naida, beyond a
doubt" she exclaimed, with a laugh of
satisfaction. "It is all so characteris
tic of her. I only wonder how she
chanced to guess your name; but real
ly the girl appears to possess some
peculiar gift in thus discerning facts
hidden from others.
The music coming to a pause, they
slowly traversed the room.
"I presume, then, she is not pres
ent?" he said, quietly.
Miss Spencer glanced into his face,
the grave tone making her apprehen
sive that she might have gone too far.
"She was here earlier in the even
ing, but now that you remind me of it,
I do not recall having noticed her of
late. But, really, lieutenant, it is no
part of my duty to chaperon the young
girl. Mrs. Ilerndon could probably in
form y ou of her present whereabouts."
Miss Spencer was conscious of the
sting of failure, and her face flushed
with vexation. "It is extremely close
in here, don't you think?" she com
plained. "And 1 was so careless as to
mislay my fan. I feel almost suffo
cated." "Did you leave it at home?" he ques
tioned. "Possibly I might discover a
substitute somewhere in the room."
"Oh, no; I would never think of
troubling you to such an extent. No
doubt this feeling of lassitude will
pass away shortly. It was very fool
ish of me, but I left the fan with my
wraps at the hotel. It can be recov
eied when we go across to supper."
"It will be no more than a pleasure
to recover it for you," he protested,
gallantly.
The stairs leading down from the
hall entrance were shrouded in dark
ness, the street below nearly deserted
of loiterers, although lights streamed
forth resplendently from the undraped
windows of the Occidental and the
hotel opposite. Assisted in his search
by Mrs. Guffy, the officer succeeded in
recovering the lost fan, and started to
return. Just without the hotel door,
under the confusing shadows of the
wide perch, he came suddenly face to
face with a young woman, the unex
pected encounter a mutual and embar
rassing surprise.
CHAPTER XV.
An Unusual Girl.
The girl was without wraps, her
dress of seme light, fleecy material
fitting her slender figure exquisitely,
her head uncovered; within her eyes
Brant imagined he could detect the
glint of tears. She spoke first, her
voice faltering slightly.
"Will you kindly permit me to
pass?"
He stepped instantly to one side,
bowing as he did so.
"I beg your pardon for such seeming
rudeness," he said, gravely. "I have
been seeking you all the evening, yet
this unexpected meeting caught me
quite unav.ares."
"You have been seking me? That is
strange. For what reason, pray?"
"To achieve what you were once
kind enough to suggest as possible
the formality of an introduction. It
would seem, however, that fate makes
our meetings informal."
"That is your fault, not mine."
"I gladly assume all responsibility,
if you will only waive the formality
and accept my friendship."
Her face seemed to lighten, while
her lips twitched as if suppressing a
smile. "You are very forgetful. Did I !
not tell you that we Presbyterians are
never guilty of such indiscretions?"
"I believe you did, but I doubt your
complete surrender to the creed."
"Doubt! Only our second time of
meeting and you already venture to
doubt! This can scarcely be construed
into a compliment, I fear."
"Yet to my mind it may prove the
very highest type of compliment," he
returned, reassured by her manner.
"For a certain degree of independence
in both thought and action is highly
commendable. Indeed, I am going to
be bold enough to add that it was
these very attributes that awakened
my interest in you."
"Oh, indeed; you cause me to blush
already. My frankness. I fear, bids
fair to cost me all my friends, and I
may even go beyond your pardon, if
the perverse spirit cf my nature so
move me."
"The risk of such a catastrophe is
mine, and I would gladly dare that
much to get away from conventional
commonplace. One advantage of such
meetings as ours is an immediate In
sight into each other's deeper nature.
For one I shall sincerely rejoice if you
will permit the good fortune of our
chance meeting to be alone sponsor
for our future friendship. Will you
not say yes?"
She looked at him with greater
earnestness, her young face sobered
by the words spoken. Whatever else
she may have seen revealed there, the
countenance bending slightly toward
her was a serious, manly one, inspir
ing respect, awakening confidence.
"And I do agree," she said, extend
ing her hand in a girlish impulse. "It
will, at least, be a new experience and
therefore worth the trial." I will even
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IN THE FINEST
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The Las Vegas Crarit in San Miguel county, near Las Vegas, New Mex
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A free trip to purchasers of ICO acres or more, on our private hotel
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All arrangements made for your comfort. Personally conducted drives
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Next trip on Tuesday, January 7th. Write or wire that that wo may
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Prices $14.00 per acre cash or part cah and time on tho balance.
Beautiful descriptive booklet free on application to
A. L. COLEMAN, J. C. COLEMAN, Plattsmouth, Neb.
Special Agent for the Middle-west, 359 East 64th St., Chicago, III.
Enlarging Your Business
If you are in
business and you
Want to make
more money you
will read every
word we have to
say. Are you
spending 3'our
money for ad
vertising in hap
hazard fashion
as if intended
for charity, or do you adver
tise for direct results?
Did you ever stop to think
how your advertising can be
made a source of profit to
you, and how its value can be
measured in dollars and
cents. If you have not, you
are throwing money away.
Advertising is a modern
business necessit-, but must
be conducted on business
principles. If you are not
satisfied with your advertising
you should set aside a certain
amount of money to b:3 spent
1
Moas
arrying mmy
in any considerable amount is
dangerous. Don't flatter your
self that your habit of doing so
is unnoticed. Thieves make it
their business to find out such
things. Better be on the safe
side and deposit your money in
Bank of Cass County. The
sooner you do so the better. An
ounce of pre ention is better than
a pound of regret.
TIIF BANK OFCASS COUNTY
1 Jgtrr
30C
,Ye are agents for ftlectropodes, and the
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They cure nervous headaches and all other
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They never fail to create a good circulation
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that tired, draggy, worn-out feeling so common to most
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Electropodes cost one dollar per pair, and after you have
worn them 30 days, if they have done you no good or fail to
cure, return them to us and we will refund the money just
as cheerfully as we take it.
If you are afflicted with any of the above ailments, please
give Electropodes a trial.
LD
I vl lb
n
PLATTSMOUTH,
0
rlC
ooc
AN
0
CLIMATE IN AMERICA
annually, and then carefully
note the effect it has in in
creasing your volume of busi
ness; whether a 10, 20 or 30
per cent increase. If you
watch this gain from 3ear to
you will become intensely in
terested in your advertising,
and how you can make it en
large your business.
If you try this method we
believe you will not want to
let a single issue of this paper
go to press without something
from your store.
We will be pleased to have
3'ou call on us, and we will
take pleasure in ucplaining
our annual contract for so
many inches, and how it can be
used in whatever amount that
seems necessary to you.
If you can sell goods over
the counter we can also show
you why this paper will best
serve j-our interests when you
want to reach the people of
this community.
t
WHEN THE KETTLE SINGS
It's a siirn of coal satisfaction. Want
to hear the music in your kitchen?
Easy order coal from this oflice and
yard. The output of the Trenton
mlrfe the fuel we handle has no su
perior anywhere, its equal in few
places
J. V. EGENBERGER,
'PHflWF PlattsmotHh No. 22.
rnunr. ,. 301.
PLATTSMOUTH, - - - NEBRASKA
DOC
o
0
'9
NEBRASKA.
0
o
DOC
