The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-02-17
THE SILVER LOCKET

respondence cried the girl reproach'
fully. rive come 10 index your library,
Mr. Walton. Now you remember"
A look OF understanding dawned sud
denly on Eric's face.
II haven't got library" he said; L
wish to goodness | had. But my
friend. Giles Walton, al the Priory, 10
an iucorrigible zizliophile. My new
butler is rather a vague individual
he probably took Walton for Dali
tom
The girl looked first puzzled and
then dlsmayed.
.Oh, how stupid ! ami. she cried.
II followed all the directions in Mr..
Walton's letter, ard l thought this
was the Priory. | must have gone as
tray In the fog. Please forgive me.
and IL you will be SO good. tell me- the
| nearest way to get there"
!. Eric put Glory do~H-she-~as
/ sauirming most ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
raised his voice little above the hub
bub.
"As a matter OF fact" he explained,
I'm afraid it's quite useless for you
to 60 to the Priory this afternoon. Poor
Walton was taken Ill suddenly last
night. and has been driven on this
morning in one of my carriages to a
nursing home in Bicester. They fear
| it is appendicitis"
Dear me, how very dreadful.
Thank you SO much for telling me.
| The indexing must be postponed, OF
course. Goodbye. l must go home
again. am so sorry to have inter
rupted your party"
She was turning towards the door.
Eric experienced the sensation OF
shipwrecked mariner when he sees the
spar OF his hopes floating out OF reach
Could she amuse children as well as
index libraries, he -wondered2 II 30
no. IL was preposterous. How could
he ask? But just then, as luck would
have IL. young gentleman In lace
collar voiced his half-formed desire
with all the directness OF youth.
Won't that young lady stay and
plav with us, Mr.. Dalton? They want
oranges and lemons, and there's no
one tall enough to hold hands with
YOU"
Eric Dalton blushed to the roots OF
his hair.
Would you think 1t horribly uncon-
ventional?' he said in agonized en-
treaty. '"I thought ii was the simplest
thing on earth to amuse lot OF little
beggars like this, but I've made a
mess OF II so far. II you've nothing
particular to do. and you would be SO
kind. / should be grateful to you all
my life"
The strange young lady's eyes
danced: she came back with alacrity
I'D like to stay IL can be of any
use," she said frankly. I'm very fond
of children, and quite accustomed to
them. AS a matter of fact. / should
have to wait at your draughty station
for hours, so it's quite kind OF you 10
ask me-"
Eric looked his thanks. His spirits
rose with a bound. This sweet-look
ing stranger somehow inspired conf
dence. All would go we'll now. he
thought. He blessed Giles Walton FOR
possessing a library that wanted In
dexing.
my names Norvell," said the girl
MAY take my coat of and put II
there? Thank you. I'm afraid I'm
NOT dressed for party; but you'i
forgive that, won't you? Shall nc
that little girls hair-ribbon-she looks
rather dejected--and then we1l starr
a game, eh?"
Everyone clapped their hands and
danced with delight
The strangers smile promised de
Ilightful romps and exciting gambols
From that moment the success of ths
entertainment was guaranteed. There
l.were no more tears or bumps. argu
ling a thing OF the past. and the sici
Glory became quite sprightiy. Every
one played with enjoyment and rest
Miss Norvell had a happy knaci
with children--that was evident: sns
kept them all going and delighted viii
/ themselves and with her. Oranges