Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-09-25

=.
was not the sort OF elephant that am
bles dusty along In the circus process
sion. On the contrary, IL was carved
from bit OF ivory with some needle
like tools. and girdled about with, a
narrow band Of gold terminating In a
small ring.
"a fob charm and | wish | could
keep IT," she exclaimed GENEROUSLY as
she examined the delicate workman
ship of the toy which was no larger
than the end of her thumb. She look
ed about as she continued her stroll
down the greenarbor,d path. Save
for the usual aggregation of nurse
maids and their young charges. the
park seemed deserted at this point.
Far away on a distant intersect
! ing path. a mans tall figure appeared
for an instant and then vanished
among the trees. Miss Standish
lbraathed sigh of relief as she slip
ped the ivory elephant into her pocN'
et-boOk.
II will watch the papers and II II
| is advertised OF course | shall return
it: | suppose l ought to advertise II
myself-well, l will. and in the mean
time, ] will enjoy its possession. IL
Is the dearest thing"
The next morning Miss Standish
scanned the papers with interest;
1.-The first one she threw aside with sat
isfaction the second with citation. buI
the third sheet contained the dread
Jed inquiry:
vol DO rly
morning of June 18th, small ivory
elephant fob charm; initials y. NJ
b." on gold band Finder will please
communicate with J. B. Beckwitn
Block building. city, and receive lib
Ierai reward.
The white elephant stood mcekly on
her dresseing table. Marian picked
1t up and examined it curiousiy
Three tiny initials which had escap
ed her attention the day before were
scratched upon the gold band; She
also discovered that the eyes were
emerald sparks and the miniature
Itnsks were tipped with gold.
You are too pretty to hang on a
mans watch fob" she sighed discon'
Itentedly: there was a slight rattle as
she laid 1t down and she lifted IL
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 lose it.
There was something vaguely fam
iiliar about the name Of Beckwith: II
seemed to conjure up visions of East
Indian islands, palm-fringed shores
the smell of wild jasmine and the
fragance of cassia and other spices
vet she had never been there, but she
had read-where was it?
Marian Standish was the soul Oh
honesty, but she could not resist the
Temptation to retain possession OF the
charm for another day. So she con
iscientiously cut out the advertisement
and tucked it away in her writing
desk, assuring herself that she would
communicate with the owner tina!
very evening.
She attached the charm to her OWE
small watch fob. and thrusting the
| gold timepiece in her belt. set OUT
for her morning walk 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 hao
found the white elephant. Watkins
slowly toward her was a very tall
young man who was studying the
ground attentively as he advanced.
Marian blushed guiltily and her
hand flew TO the white charm swinging
conspicuously against the black OF
her skirt: and it seemed that the
stranger saw it, too. for with a quick
glance at her ard beyond his sOoc
looking face Frightened with sudden
interest. He removed his hat and
paused
Il beg your pardon, madam, but
he was beginning when her chilling
glance stopped the words on his lips
Sir" said Miss Standish haughti
~. ard she swept past him. dragging
the leashed Pedro. who sneered con
tempuously at the presumptuou'
youth.
II brought it on myself" Marian
chided herself as she crossed the parf
toward home: IF l had not kept the
charm. / could not have worn 1t and
he would not have seen It and spoken
of course he had . right to under
the circumstances. without a doubt
he is J. ". Beckwith,' for he was
searching the path IN the very spo;
where 4 found it, he probably values
il highly: fancy ne picked it up In
India or China. and-where have
seen his face before-and his name;
Il is very familiar? How very brown
he was to the very finger tips. and
ne was well bred too. and yet ! treat
ed him as though he were cad!
viii send Il TO him tonight"
But she didn't three days passed
and the little white elephant still
swung a, her belt: three days she
had walked in the park ard three
times she had met the tall brown
young man who passed her with a