Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-12-04

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~ think, Mrs. Atherlev," he said quiet.
IN, that you arc vcru rich"
showed familiarity, but Mrs. Atherley,
being woman, could not help being )
troubled in the matter of dress.
"The Savoy" she murmured as the
rubber tired vehicle glided away noise
lessly. 81 have not been there for
years. And people at supper are al
ways attired so fashionably. Could
we not
The girl put her arm around her
waist.
"Just for once, mamma, you shall |
not care little bit, and none may be
the wiser. Here is Mr.. Anson-quite
an elegant himself-he would never |
guess that our gowns We're home
made"
"The women, dear one-they will
know"
"Oh, you deceiver! You said my toilet
was perfect, and am quite sure yours
isl
This logic was incontrovertible. Mrs.
Atherley sighed and asked what took
place the previous night.
Philip imagined that the girl hung
back, so he boldly undertook an eHpla-
nation. BY describing the cabman as
apparently intoxicated and certainly
impudent he covered good deal of
ground, and the rest was easy.
When they reached the Savoy, the
anxious mother had relegated the in
cident to the limbo of unimportant
things. Only one other matter trou-
bled her-the somewhat unconven-
tional origin of her daughters ac-
| quaintance with this pleasant manner
ed young gentleman.
She was far too tactful to hint at
such a point just then. 1t should be
reserved for home discussion.
Meanwhile they We're early arrivals.
The head waiter marshaled them to n
window table. Mrs. Atherley smiled.
She knew her London.
"You We're sure we would accom-
pany you?" she cried.
mot at all sure; only hopeful" said
Philip.
"Ah, well, it is good occasionally Il
revisit the old scenes. No, Elf, l vii
sit here. I will not be en- face to tha-
row of tables. Half a dozen people
would certainly recognize me, and do
not wish it,
Elf! The name drove Philips
thoughts backward with bound
back to torrential night In London
square and the tearing open of car
rage door in time to save sweet lit
| tie girl all robed in white who but for
him would have fallen with an over
turned vehicle.
Elf! 1t was an unusual pet name.
The child Of ten years ago would be
about the age of the lively and spiritu-
ellie girl by his side. The child had
faced her enraged uncle on that memo
rable night. The woman had refused
to leave him when she thought danger
threatened in the park.
Could it be possible? He was star
tied, bewildered, utterly dumfounded
by even the remote possibility that
another figure from the past should
come before him in such wise.
"AIr. Arson. What have you found
i'll the menu to perpleN you so terribly?
Does danger lurls in the agneau du
printemps? Is there a secret horror in
the salmi?"
Eselyns ralllery restored his sea-
tered wits.
MAY say something personal?" he
inquired.
about the lamb?"
"About you? Mrs. Atherley called
you ELF just now"
Yes. / regret that l earned the title
in ages past. The habits have ceased,
but the name remains"
Il once met little girl named Elf.
ing in a West End square. There had
been a carriage accident. A pair OF
horses We're frightened by terrific
thunderstorm. The girl was accom-
panied by Il somewhat selfish gentle
man. He jumped out and left her to
her own devices; indeed, slammed the
door in her face. a ragged boy
"A boy with newspapers boy who
spoke quite nlcely-saved her by run.
ming into the road. The carriage over.
turned in front of Lord Nanstone's
house. l was the girl!'
Both ladies We're amazed at the eX-
preston on Philips face. He betray-
ed such eagerness, such intense long
ing, such keen anxiety to establish her
identity with the child who figured in
an accident of no very remarkable ma
ture, that they could not, help being
vastly surprised.
Their establishment was not lessencG
when Philip exclaimed:
"And was the boy!'
But l said "a boy with newspa-
pers.'"
Eyes, very prchin, waif of the
streets"
"My uncle struck you"
"And you defended me, saved me
from being locked up, in fact"
"Oh, this is too marvellous. Mother,
you must remember
my dear one, / remember the event
rs IL 1t had taken place yesterday.
Your uncle would not have cared were
you killed that night. All he wanted
was your money. Now he has that
and mine. He was, indeed wicked
man."
"Mother, dear. he is unhappy. Are
we? But, Mr.. Arson. what wonderful
change in your fortunes has taken
place since our first meeting? Is tue
newspaper trade so thriving that car
riage and pair. a supper at the Savoy,
stalls ut the Regents hall and bou-
qact from Rosalind's are mere trim
mings. SO to speak, to n busy day?"
Evelyn" protested Mrs. Atherley.
But the girl was too buoyant, too ut
teri: oblivious Of all that this meeting
meant to Philip. to cease from chatting
him.
PLEASE. Mr. Anson do tell us the Sc
cret | will sell any paper You name.