The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1908-01-02

Tip tnr0uBn tne old mill. and then
there were bags Of peanuts to feed the
monkeys a forlorn group in a more
forlorn cage. Each klddle had ride
I'm the donkey carts, too. and a sack OF
salt water taffy. At noon lunch was
served to the orphans by caterer
provided by the club. and after the
children were seated Annabel found
the watchfu Mr.. Austin ut her elbow.
won't you come over to the Occl-
dental with mel think you'll find
the cooking rather better than this"
Annabel walked away with him as
in d daze. The Occidental! Why, that
was where Mrs. Ashton, one Of the
richest patrons OF the home. always
spent her summers. 1t must be very
smart place. And what II she, the
humble assistant governess from the
home, should meet its rich patron face
to face? Well. she would take the
chance And soon she forgot her fear
IN listening to the order for lunch He
seemed to know Just the things she
had always wanted to taste. And how
polite the walters were! Annabel
touched her hair anxiously as the
many young women with carefully
MARCHED colffures passed her table,
little dreaming she, how they envled
her the saucy tendrllls Of hair around
her piquant face.
Mr.. Austlns gray car was the last to
leave the beach that night, and the
shadows were falling over the big city
when 1t drew up before the orphanage.
The tired superintendent came hurry
Ing forward
~ was afraid something happened.
The others got In IN hour ago.
"Just little trouble with the spark
err. and was afraid to push the ma
chine, but the Riddles all fell asleep
and are finely rested
"Good night, good night! Thanks"
shouted the children es they reluctant
ly left the car. Mr. Austin stood hat
In hand.
Aren't you going TO say good night.
too, Miss Annabel?' he asked and held
out his hand cordially She never
knew whether her fingers touched his
or not. She only heard him say, May
| see you again some tlme?' and then
she shook her head and turned swiftly
toward the orphanage door.
She understood now! He had mis-!
taken her for one Of the lady patron
esses or a settlement worker. He did
not dream that all her childhood had
been spent as one OF these very or
phans and that she had been retained
on small pay as a governeY.
She had read in books about girls
who had suddenly met tvlXptIeth cen
fury Prince Charmings, atN she had
thought how wonderful skh an ex
perience must be, but todA5 1t was
anything but wonderful. she was sor
~ she had not told him the Nruth. She
was sorry-no. she was not ssrry ab0u
the lunch nor the long. searching
glances she had encountered across the
table nor the sweet. slow trip home
with the sleeping children piled Int
the big seats behind them But she
must never. never see him again.
The orphans from the Clarendon
Home were enjoying their second ant
last big picnic OF the season. this tlm'
at the city park. They had had a Ma.
queen. though II was August dul.
crownilg her and showerlng her Will
small attentions. They had much ic
cream and lemonade and now the lon
afternoon was drawing to drows.
finish. Annabel had helped to clean "
the lunch tables. had settled hEs |
dozen childish disputes and WIS begin
Mug t. feel bit flushed and tire
when Ground the curve of the gravele,
road flashed a big. dull green car con
tanning single figure clad In a lon
gray coat. The car stopped; the figur
leaned forward, then sprnng to TN
ground,
II jrst saw it-about the picnic-i'
the afternoon papers. Please come 10
little run. You look as IL you ha'
been working too hard
Annnbel's lips set In firm lines. Sh
answered quickly:
"Yes: you see I must work for m
living. am one Of the helpers at tn
home. and was an orphan there once
Maybe you thought
Il krew-at the beach. But that ism
what came to tell you. Please come.
Mechanically she stepped into tn
car an sat down beside him. Then n
knew all the time!
The car moved on slowly. The 81
perintendent rose from the benc
where he had been resting for the hrs
time since early morning and, shadin
his eyes with his hand, watched 1t ou