The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1908-08-28
The White
Elephant.
By CLARISSA MACKIE.
By CLARISSA MAcKIE.
Copyrighted. 1905. by Associated
Harary praaS

one bright June morning. Of course
it was not the sort Of elephant that
ambles dustily along in the circus pro-
Cession. On the contrary 1t was
carved from bit of ivory with some
needlelike tools and girdled about
with a narrow band of gold terminal.
ing In a small ring.
"A fob charm, and l wish | could
keep It," she eIclaiuiet COY yetoas.S MS
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 distant intersectlng
path mans tall figure appeared for
an instant and then vanished among
| the trees. Miss Standish breathed
sigh of relief as she slipped the ivory
elephant into her pocketbook
81 will watch the papers, and If 1t Is
advertised of course | shall return 1t.
| suppose ! ought to advertise 1t my
self Well, will, and in the mean
time | will enjoy its possession. 1t Is
the dearest thlngw
The next morning Miss Standish
scanned the papers with interest The
| first one she threw aside with satisfac-
| tion. the second with elatiOn, but the
third sheet contained the dreaded in
quiry:
Lost In Central park on the morning OF
June Is 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 meeily on
her dressing table. Marian picked 1t
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 n
mans watch fob" she sighed discon-
tentedly. There was slight rattle as
she laid 1t down, and she lifted 1t
again and shook 1t 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-
tery was an added vexation now that
she must loose 1t.
There was something vaguely fa-
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 itf
Marian Standish was the soul Of hon
esty but she could not resist the temp
tatiou 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 timepiece In her belt. set out fol-
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 hat
found the white elephant. Walking
slowly toward her was a very tai
Young man, who was studying thu
ground attentively as he advanced
Marian blushed guiltily. and hel
hand few to the white charm swing
ing conspicuously against the black o
her skirt, and 1t seemed that the stran
ger saw 1t, too, for, with a qulcl
glance at her and beyond. his goo'
looking face frightened with suddel
, interest. He removed his hat ant
paused.
"I beg your pardon, madam, but
he was beginning when her chillini
: glance stopped the words on his lips.
! "sir," said Miss Standish haughtily
I and she swept past him. dragging tn
: leashed Pedro, who sneered contemE
tuously at the presumptuous youth,
81 brought 1t on myself" Maria
chlded herself as she crossed the par
: toward home. 'If had not kept th
q charm I could not have worn 1t an
he would not have seen 1t and spokei
q OF course he had right to under tn
circumstances. Without doubt he
!. i. NJ. Beckwith.' for he was searchin
8 the path In the very spot where
found 1t. He probably values 1t higl
+ ". I fancy he picked It up In India
China, and-where have seen bis fac
:? before. and his name-it Is very II
/? miliar. How very brown he was
the very finger tips. and he was we
o bred. too, and yet ! treated him
II though be were a cad! ] will send
II 70 him tonight"
o But she didn't. Three days passed, an
the little white elephant still swung
n her belt. Three days she had wake
In the park. and three times she ha
met the tall brown young man. WI
passed her with a haughtiness equal
lie her own. @
Ia II suppose be thinks am an unpri
,s cipled character" murmured MARI
,e the third day. just after her dark bl'
,t eyes had met his brown ones In