Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-08-22

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
10 leave him when SHE thought danger
threatened in the park.
Could II he possible? He was star
tied, bewidered. utterly dumfounded
by even the remote possibility that
another figure from the past should
come before him in such wise.
"Mr. Arson. What have you found
IN the menu to perpex you so terribly?
Does danger Turk In the aQneau du
prntemps? Is there a secret horror in
the salmi7"
Evelyn's raillery restored his scat
tered wits.
"Nay say something personal?' he
Inquired.
's.bout the lamb?'
About youy Mrs. Athcrley called
vou ELF just now"
"Yos. | regret that earned the title
In ages past. The habits have ceased,
but the name remains"
II once met little girl named Elf.
1t was ten years ago on a March even
ing in West End square. There had
been carriage accident. A pair OF
horses were frightened by a terrific
thunderstorm. The girl was accom-
panied by 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 newspnpcrsia boy who
spoke quite nicely-saved her by run
ming into the road. The carriage over
turned in front of Lord Vanstones
house. ! was the girl"
Both ladies' were 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 astonishment was not lessencd
when Philip exclaimed:
"And | was the boy"
But said "a boy with newspa
pers."
Eyes. n very urchin. a waif of the
streets"
MY uncle struck you"
"And you defended me, saved me
from being locked up, in fact"
ooh. this is too marvellous. Mother
you must remem ber"--
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 that
and mine. He was, indeed. wicked
man"
Mother. dear. he Is unhappy. Are
we? But, Mr.. AnsonN what wonderful
change in your fortunes has taken
place since our first meeting? Is the
newspaper trade so thriving that car
riage and pair, a supper at the Savoy,
yetalls at the Regents hall and bou-
quet from RosaIind's are mere trim
mings. so to speak, to n busy day.?
Evelyn" protested Mrs. Atherley.
But the girl was too buoyant. too ut
terly oblivious Of all that this meeting
meant to Philip, TO cease from cha fling
him.
please. Mr.. Arson. do tell us the Sc
cret I will sell any paper you name.
get : guneas for singing two songs
admit but may only sing them once
month I have loads of time to run
about crying: 'Extrey speShul, 'Orrlbe
disawsterr Or does the magic spring
from writing those thrilling stories
one sees placarded on the boardings ?
believe I could do it. I once won q
prize in a lady's magazine for a set Of
verses. the genuine and unaided pro-
ductlon Of girl aged under fourteen"
Philip compelled himself to respond
to her mood. He promised TO reveal
his specific for money making ut some
future period when she was sufficient
~ dazzed to accept his words as those
of prophet.
With the tact Of woman OF the
world Mrs. Atherley led the CONVERSE
ton back to less personal channels.
The great restaurant was rapidly fill
Ing now. The occupants of neighbor-
Ing tables cast occasional Clnnces 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
a silent spasm of regret that her
daughter should he denied the position
In the greater world for which she was
20 admirably fitted abandoned herself
to the infectious gaycty of the younger
people.
Both she and Evelyn confessed to &
feeling Of renewed surprise when Phil
Up happened to mention his London ad
dress
Whatever faults the denizcns % Parl
lane may possess, that of being IN
known cannot be reckonei amonl
them, and Mrs. Athcrlcy IN n period
not very remote knew the occupants
of every house in that remarkah bic thor
Dughfare. She could not, however re
rail- the name Of Arson.
At last most enjoyable meal CAM
10 an end. Philip, supported most abb,
nv n skilled head unIter SpIIn If ont n