Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-10-08

to leave him when she thought DANCE
threatened in the park.
Could 1t be possible? He was star
tied, bewildered, utterly dumfounde,
by even the remote possibility tina
another figure from the past shoul'
come before him in such wise.
"AIr. Anson! What have you fount
III the menu to perplex you so terribly
Does danger lurk in the agneau dl
printempsi Is there secret horror Ii
the salmi?"
Evelyn's raillery restored his scat
tered wits.
MAY l say something personal?" ht
inquired.
about tkd amb?"
"Atout you? Mrs. Atherley called
you Elf just now."
Yes. l regret that earned the title
In ages past. The habits have ceased
but the name remains"
az once met little girl named Elf
1t was ten years ago OH March even
ing in West End square. There had
been a carriage accident. A pair ol
horses were frightened by terrific
thunderstorm. The girl was accom-
panied by a 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 nicely-savei her by run
ming into the road. The carriage over
turned in front Of Lord Vanstones S
house. / was the girl!'
Both ladies were amazed ut 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 M
ture, that they could not help bein:
vastly surprised.
| Their astonishment was not lessened
when Philip exclaimed:
"And was the boy!"
"But l said "A boy with newspa
pers.'"
"Yes, a very urchin, 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
as If It had taken place yesterday.
Your uncle would not have cared were
you killed that night. All he wanted
was your money. Now he has :iat
and mine. He was, indeed, wiciie =:
man."
"Mother. dear he IS unhappy. Are
we? But, Mr.. Anson, what wonderful
change in your fortunes has taken
place since our first meeting? Is the
newspaper trade so thriving that car
riage and pair, Il supper at the Savoy.
stalls at the Regents hall and Il Oou
quet from Rosalind's are mere trim
mings. so to speak. to busy day?'
Evelyn" protested Mrs. Ather!ey.
But the girl was too buOyant, too ut
terly oblivious OF all that this meeting
meant to Philip. to cease from chatting
him.
"Plense. Mr.. Anson. do tell us the Sc
cret. / will sell any paper you name
l get guineas for singing two songs.
admit. but may only sing them once
a month. l have loads of time to run
about crying: 'Extrey speshul! 'Orrib!e
disawster,r Or does the magic spring
from writing those thrilling stories
one sees p!acarded on the boardings:
I believe could do 1t. l once won
prize in a lady's magazine for set OF
verses. the genuine and unaided pro-
duction Of girl aged under fourteen"
Philip compelled himself to respond
to her mood. He promised to reveal
his specific for money making Mt some
future period when she was sufficient
ly dazzled to accept his words as those
Of prophet.
With the tact Of woman Of the
world, Mrs. Atherley led the cOnversa-
ton back to less personal channels
The great restaurant was rapidly fill-
Ing now. The occupants Of neighbor-
Ing tables cast occasional glances at
the merry trio which discussed the
fOibles Of the musical world, the ways
Of agents. the little meannesses and
petty spites Of the greatest artists and
incidentally did ample justice to an
excellent meal.
Philip thought he had never before
met such n delightful girl. Evelyn
was quite certain that some unknown
good fairy had given her this pleasant
acquaintance. and Mrs. Atherley, after
silent spasm Of regret that her
daughter should be denied the position
in the greater world for which she was
so admirably fitted. abandoned herself
to the infectious gayety Of the younger
people.
Both she and Evelyn confessed to n
feeling Of renewed surprise when Phil
ip happened to mention his London ad.
dress.
Whatever faults the denlzens Of Park
lane may possess. that Of being un
known cannot be reckoned among
them, and Mrs. Atherley In a period
not very remote knew the occupants
Of every house in that remarkable thor
oughfare. She could not, however, re-
| call the name Of Anson.
At last most enjoyable meal came
to an end. Philip, supported most ably
by a skilled head waiter, spun 1t out to
the utmost possible limit, but the mex.
orable clock would not be denied.
He thought the two ladies might pre-
fer to drive home alone. so he sent
them away In his carriage and made
an excuse that he had an appointment
Mt his club. In truth he wished to be
free to walk far and fast while his ex
cited brain demanded a solution Of the
strange conSeries Of events which had
so crowded into his life during forty
eight hours.
Hoods SarsapariIla
Has surpassed all other medicines. In merit.