Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-08-08


dinner.
Three hours aftrrward s,l" fastened
the ivory elephant 10 the long gold
chain alta Led to her ian and went To
the Gearing dame
Late III the evening. flushed with
dna Ia. nai lupLine Ncry much like
II rose IN her pink iragk she waited
IN the conservatory Willie her partner
went for m Ice Mrs Clearing tuttcr.
ed Gnwn nn aisle nf orange trees with
tall Young man Ia tow.
Martin. dear let me present MIR.
Beck with Miss Standish shall
leave YOU To entrrtnln her. Johnson.
The nu,trred away again intcrccpting
the Ice laden young man and carrying
him captive into the ballroom.
Marinn'S customary Sangfroid abnn-
donrd her aud she stood with guilty.
downcust eyes before the owner OF the
white elephant He was looking down
at her with a strange expression on his
face
Have you Il dance Ia spare he
asked after nm awkward silence.
II am afraid not" she replied in a
low tone Then with II quick move
ment she detached the charm from her
chain and held Il toward him IN her
small gloved palm This Is yours.
believe" she added brcathlrssly. Il
found II that day IA the park. and !
have intended to return It. but II was
IA. 4 - a IIar N.f.n
faltcrcd. and her lovely eyes filed
with tears.
Beckwith was looking at her agitat-
Ell face with very tender eyes.
Don't distress yourself Miss stand
ish" he said earnestly cor course
am delighted to find ii. hut there was
no harm Ia your keeping 1t Ms long as
you wished.
Please take 1t now shr said hur-
rledly.
How did you know II was mlneT"
he asked rs he placed the little ele-
plant In his pocket.
II saw the advertisement in the pa
per the next morning aud then that
day when | met yon In the park and
you saw II and spoke To me don't
know what you thought"
Il never saw it, he laughed cheer
fully. You had dropped this. and |
was about To call your attention 10 II
when you and the dog froze me with
looks" He took from an Inner peck
ct small dalntily embroidered hand
kcrchicw Marian Joined In his laugh,
hut she felt very uncomfortable when
he returned the handkerchief 10 It's
hiding place with an air Of quiet pos
session 4 certain expression about
his mouth enlightened her rs to his
Identity
You must be johnson Mordauat
Beckwlth. the explorer have read
your book on East Indian Islands, and
| am sure there IL Il portrait IN the
front OF the book" She was radiant
with interest.
Guilty" he admitted promptly.
Now. how nm To reward your hon
esty. Miss Standish:' he asked with
mock seriousness
Tell me the meaning OF the mys-
terious rattle within the charm. am
dying To know. she replied
II cannot tell you now. he said with
sudden gravity Perhaps some day |
may. II you will let me"
Three months Inter. when she had
consented TO marry him. johnson
Beck with told her the brief story Of
the white elephant.
at was given 10 me as mark OF
esteem by an Indian prince" he said.
lin itself the elephant Is one OF Il null
tltude Of similar curIos, but" He
detached II from his fob. and with Il
slight twist OF his fingers the gold
band slipped away and the charm fell
IN halves. and from one OF the halves
rolled marvellous ruby This" con
tinued Beckwith tenderly. was the
gift Of the prince. aud placed II In
here for safe keeping planned that
some day II would bc worn by my
wife
WAS II not wonderful that | should
find II. Johnson" she asked as his
arms enclrclcd her.
1T is the most wonderful adventure
that has ever befallen me darling. "
he said ms he kissed her lips.