Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1908-09-19
The White
Elephant.

By CLARISSA MACKIE


q
seesseosssse eeessssesseesss
Marian Standish found it in the park
one bright June morning OF course
it was not the sort of elephant that
ambles dustiIy along in the circus pro-
ceSSiOn. On the contrary, it was
carved from a bit of ivory with some
ncedlclike tools and girdled about
with Il narrow band of gold terminal
ing in small ring
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 arborcd path. Save for the
usual aggregation of nursemaids and
their young charges the park seemed
deserted at this point
Far away on distant intersecting
path Il 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.
Il will watch the papers, and if it is
advertised of course l shall return it.
| suppose | ought to advertise 1t my
self. Well, | will. and in the mean
time will enjoy its possession. 1t Is
the dearest thing
The next morning Miss Standish
scanned the papers with interest. The
first one she threw aside with satisfac
tion, the second with clatiOn, but the
third sheet contained the dreaded in
quiry:
Lost in Central park on the morning Of
juno 10 Il small ivory elephant fob charm.
Initials -. NJ b" on gold band Finder
will please communicate with J. NJ. Beck
with. Block Building, City, and receive
liberal reward.
The white elephant stood mcckly 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.
"Gou are too pretty to hang on
mans watch fob" she sighed discon-
tentedly. There was a 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 vcXation now that
she must loose It,
There WAS something vaguely fa-
miIiar about the name of Beckw
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
spires, yet she had never been there.
but she had rcad-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
and 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 timepicce in her belt, set out for
her morning walk, accompanied by
that prize winning bulldog. Pedro, who
was as hdeous 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 very tall
young man. who was studying the
ground attentivcly as he advanced.
Marian blushcd guiltily. 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 1t, too, for, with a quick
glance at her and beyond, his good
looking face frightened with sudden
interest. He removed his hat and
paused.
81 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 sneercd cOntemp-
tuously at the prcsumptuous youth.
81 brought it on myself" Marian
chided herself as she crossed the park
toward home. "If | 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 doubt he is
j. NJ. Beckwith.' for he was searching
the path in the very spot where |
found it, He probably values 1t high
ly. | fancy he picked 1t up in India or
China, and-where have | seen his face
before, and his name-it is very IA
miliar, How very brown he was to
the very finger tips, and he was well
bred, too, and yet l treated him as
though he were a cad! | will send 1t
to him tonight"
But she didn't Three days passed, and
the little white elephant still swung at
her belt. Three days she had walked
in the park. and three times she had
met the tall brown young man, who
passed her with haughtiness equal to
her own.
81 suppose he thinks | am an unprin-
ciplcd character" murmured Marian
the third day. just after her dark blue
eyes had met his brown ones In
brief glance.