The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-06-02


name. and the diminutive of "Angel."
bestowed upon him by doting moth
or, was well applied. At least this was
tne opinion of other tenants In the big
Burlington apartment house.
Angel was eight years old. but he
scarcely looked six. with his long gold
en- curls and ethereal beauty. In his
velvet suits he suggested some child of
the Little Lord Fauntleroy period held
over into an age of Buster Browns.
Mrs. Moultrie was possessed Of a
theory that as the child Is named so
the tastes incline. and she had set her
heart upon his being a painter.
Angels splotchy water colors were
carefully preserved In huge portfolio
against the day they should become
the priceless melneIeos OF world
famous painters youth.
The only child of widowed mother.
Angel was about as badly spoiled as a
boy could be and yet cape the reform
school. hut his serai ~ countenance
and his big. innocent eyes had enabled
him to successfully lie out Of compile
Ity In many juvenile crimes. Though
the small boys Of the block invariably
explained that Angel was the instiga.
tor Of all the mischief. even their own
fond mothers believed them to be I'm a
conspiracy 10 destroy the fair fame o.
the model child.
Angel was quick 10 perceive his pop
ularlty. and with unerring Instinct he
found his way TO those apartments
where candy and cake were to be had.
He seemed TO know when callers with
offerings Of candy had visited the diff.
ferent young women. and his own calls
were scheduled for the following day.
His one exception vas Mamie Dim.
mick. Mamie seldom entertained cali
ers Of the sort Angel most approved.
No five pound boxes Of sweets lay
upon her table. and no great masses Of
flowers scented the room. yet Angel
liked best Of all 10 visit AZ the Dim
mick apartment. for ther~ WIS n GER
tain tenderness IN Mamie Dimmick's
manner Of which Angel approved most
highly.
she always looks like she's going Il
cry" he had told his mother In an en-
deavor to discuss the girls peculiar
charm. "she looks like she's going Il
cry. but she doesn't. She just holds
you tight In her arms. and you fee
glad and sorry MI AT once"
Clearly this blending ~ emotions ar
pealed TO Angel. for he was n rcgulai
visitor 10 the DimmIck apartment and
the girl found odd comfort In his pratt
tie.
Mamie sorely needed comfort, fol
the look Of sadness IN her eyes deepen
ed as the weeks sod by With no wort
from Arthur Ryder. When he had
rome TO her with his face afiame with
happiness to tell her that he had founf
his chance NJ last. that the firn hat
decided TO send him on a tour Of TIN
African and Asintic countries 20 intro
dncc their wares. II had seemed tina
fate. with kindly hands. had swep
barriers from their path.
1T viii h. the making OF me-" Ar
thur had explained. u start at Cap
Town aud work up the east coast %
Africa. then cross 10 Asia AMI so ~
10 China. II win take about eIghtecI
months. but II make q success
shall be taken into the firn and VI
can be married. dear"
Mrs. DImmlck had refused 20 lister
TO nm engagement. Time enough 10
that when Arthur came back. she ha'
told them. An engagement Of a yea
and q half would lie worse than Use
less.
Il would deprive Mamie Of man!
pleasures. AMI no formal engagement
was really necessary. n they bot
were Of the same mind when Arthu
should return there would IL no oppu
sltion 90 a short engagement and NJ
early marriage.
Aud so Arthur had gone on his loni
Journey with gladness In his heart. 10
Mamie had assured him that II di'
not need the Formally Of ring aud al
nouncement 10 ratlfy the prompting
~ her heart
First had come glowing letters fron
London mud from Cape Town. letter
that brcathed Of hope ana love. the
blank silence. For more than n yea
not n letter IN the familiar handwril
ing had been received. though nm IN
quIry nc the Office Of the frm Gillette,
the information that Mr.. Ryder wa
not only alive. but exceedingly vel
according 10 his reports 10 the hom
office.
Mrs. DImmick had stOrined nc wha
she hnd termed his dIsc0urtcsy. bu
Mamie would not listen 20 her moth
ers urElngs that she 80 more Into -
ciCty aud forget the affront
In spite Of everything she still love-
Ryder. though pride forbade her 60 con
Tess that fact even 10 herself. aud slI
had no heart for the hustle and stir q
social events. She preferred TO sta
nc home and tell Angel the fairy storie
Ia which he delighted
She was telling for the hundrcdt
time one of his favorlte tales whc
Mrs. DlmmlCk came Into the room wit
an envelope.
"a cablcgram for you" she announce
coidiy.