Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-08-10

ceSSlOu. Ou the contrary, II way
carved from a bit of ivory with some
needlelike tools and girdled about
with a narrow band of gold terminal
ing in small ring
"a fob charm, and 1 wish l could
keep it," she exclaimed covetously as
she examined the delicate workman ,
ship of the toy, which was no larger
than the end of her thumb. She looked
about as she continued her stroll down
the green arbored path. Save for the
usual aggregation of nursemaids and
their young charges the park seemed
deserted at this point.
Far away on a distant intersecting
path a mans tall figure appeared for
an instant and then vanished among
the trees. Miss Standish breathed a
sigh Of relief as she slipped the ivory
elephant into her pocketbook.
81 will watch the papers, and if it Is
advertised of course l shall return it.
suppose I ought to advertise it my
self Well. will. and in the mean
time will enjoy its possession. 1t is
the dearest thingv'
The next morning Miss Standish
scanned the papers with interest. The
first one she threw aside with satisfac-
ton, the second with elation, but the
third sheet contained the dreaded in
auiry:
Lost in Central park on the morning of
June 10 a small ivory elephant fob charm.
Initials u. NJ. B." on gold band. Finder
will please communicate with j. M. Beck
with. Block Building, City. and receive
liberal reward.
The white elephant stood meekly on
her dressing table. Marian picked it
up and. examined it curiously. Three
tiny initials which had escaped her
attention the day before were scratch
ed upon the gold band. She also dis
covered that the eyes were emerald
sparks and the miniature tusks were
tipped with gold.
"You are too pretty to hang on a
mans watch fob" she sighed discon-
tentedly There was slight rattle as
she laid it down, and she lifted it
again and shook it briskly. There was
, something inside that clicked. and the
knowledge that the bit of carving was
not only hollow, but was evidently
the receptacle of some delightful mys-
terry was an added vexation now that
she must loose 1t.
| There was something vaguely ia
miliar about the name of Beckwith.
1t seemed to conjure up visions of
East Indian islands, palm fringed
shores. the smell of wild jasmine and
! the fragrance of ,cassia and other
Spices yet she had never been there,
but she had read-where was it?
Marian Standish was the soul of hon
eSty, but she could not resist the temp
tation to retain possession of the
charm for another day. So she con-
scientiously cut out the advertisement
aud tucked it away in her writing
desk, assuring herself that she would
communicate with the owner that very
evening.
She attached the charm to her own
small watch fob and, thrusting the
gold timepiece in her belt. set out for
her morning walk, accompanied by
that prize winning bulldog. Pedro. who
was as hideous as his mistress was
beautiful.
In due course of time they reached
the park and eventually entered the
same arboreal path where she had
found the white elephant. Walking
slowly toward her was a very tall
young man, who was studying the
ground attentively as he advanced.
Marian blushed guilty.. and her
hand flew to the white charm swing
ing conspicuously against the black of
her skirt, and it seemed that the stran-
ger saw it. too. for. with a quick
glance at her and beyond. his good
looking face frightened with sudden
interest. He removed his hat and
Ipaused.
Il beg your pardon. madam, but"
- he was beginning when her chilling
glance stopped the words on his lips.
: Sir" said Miss Standish haughtily
and she swept past him. dragging the
, leashed Pedro, who sneered contemp-
1 tuously at the presumptuous youth.
4 81 brought it, on myself" Marian
chided herself as she crossed the parb
toward home. "If I had not kept the
charm / could not have worn it and
he would not have seen it and spoken
OF course he had right to under the
circumstances. Without doubt he Is
j. NJ. Beckwith.' for he was searching
+ the path in the very spot where
found it. He probably values it high
". l fancy he picked it up in India OF
China. and-where have l seen his face
before, and his name-it is very fla
miliar, How very brown he was tt
the very finger tips, and he was vel
bred. too. and yet I treated him a!
though he were cad! l will send j
: to him tonight"
But she didn't. Three days passed, ant
the little white elephant still swung a
: her BELT. Three days she had walked
in the park and three times she hat
met the tall brown young man. wht
passed her with haughtiness equal t.
her own.
II suppose he thinks am an unprin
cipled character" murmured Marian
the third day. just after her dark blu
eyes had met his brown ones In