The Democratic advocate., 1908-05-22


Michael Angelo Moultrie was his
name, and the diminutive of "Angel," "
bestowed upon him by a doting moth
er, was we'll applied. At least this was
the opinion of other tenants in the big
Burlington apartment house.
Angel was eight years old, but he
scarcely looked six, with his long gold
en- curls and ethereal beauty. In his
velvet suits he suggested some child OF
the Little Lord Fauntleroy period held
over into an age of Buster Browns.
Mrs. Moultrie was possessed of a
theory that as the child is named so
the tastes incline, and she had set her
heart upon his being a painter.
Angels splotchy water colors were
carefully preserved in huge portfolio
against the day they should become
the priceless mementos of world
famous painters youth
The only child Of widowed mother,
Angel was about as badly spoiled as a
boy could be and yet escape the reform
school, but his seraphic countenance
and his big, innocent eyes had enabled
him to successfully lie out of compile
ity in many juvenile crimes Though
the small boys Of the block invariably
explained that Angel was the instiga-
tor of all the mischief, even their own
fond mothers believed them to be In a
conspiracy to destroy the fair fame Of
the model child.
Angel was quick to perceive his pop
ularity, and with unerrtng instinct he
found his way to those apartments
where candy and cake were to be had.
He seemed to know when callers with
offerings of candy had visited the diff
ferent young women, and his own calls
were scheduled for the following day.
His one exception was Mamie DIM
mick. Mamie seldom entertained call
ers of the sort Angel most approved.
No five pound boxes Of sweets lay
upon her table, and no great masses Of
flowers scented the room, yet Angel
liked best of all to visit at the DIM
mick apartment, for there was GER
tain tenderness in Mamie Dimmick' S
manner of which Angel approved most
highly.
"She always looks like she's going to
cry" he had told his mother in an en-
deavor to discuss the girls peculiar
charm. "She looks like she's going to
cry, but she doesn't. She just holds
you tight in her arms, and you feel
glad and sorry all at once"
Clearly this blending Of emotions ap-
pealed to Angel, for he was regular
visitor to the Dimmick apartment, and
the girl found odd comfort in his pratt
tie
Mamie sorely needed comfort, for
the look Of sadness in her eyes deepen
ed as the weeks sped by with no word
from Arthur Ryder. When he had
come to her with his face adame with
happiness to tell her that he had found
his chance at last, that the firm had
decided to send him on a tour of the
African and Asiatic countries to intro
duce their wares, 1t had seemed that
fate, with kindly hands, had swept
barriers from their path.
ut will be the making of me-" Ar
thur had explained. II start at Cape
Town and work up the east coast of
Africa, then cross to Asia and SO up
to China. 1t will take about eighteen
months, but if l make a success l
shall be taken into the firm and we
can be married, dear"
Mrs Dimmick had refused to listen
to an engagement. Time enough for
that when Arthur came back, she had
told them. An engagement of year
and a half would be worse than use
less.
1t would deprive Mamie of man.
pleasures, and no formal engagement
was really necessary. If they botl
were of the same mind when Arthur
should return there would be no oppo-
sition to a short engagement and al
early marriage.
And so Arthur had gone on his long
journey with gladness in his heart, for
Mamie had assured him that it did
not need the formality of ring and an.
nouncement to ratify the promptings
Vi ueE
First had come glowing letters from
London and from Cape Town. letters
that breathed of hope and love. the:
blank silence. For Lore than a year
not letter in the familiar handwrit
ing had been received, though an In
quiry at the office of the firm elected
the information that Mr. Ryder was
not only alive, but exceedingly well
according to his reports to the home
office.
Mrs. Dimmick had storned at what
she had termed his discourtesy, but
Mamie would not listen to her moth
ers urgiGgs that she go more into So
ciety and forget the affront
In spite Of everything she still loved
Ryder, though pride forbade her to con-
fess that fact even to herself. and she
had no heart for the hustle and stir OF
social events. She preferred to stay
at home and tell Angel the fairy stories
In which he delighted.
She was telling for the hundredti
time one of his favorite tales when
Mrs. Dimmick came into the room with
an envelope.
"a cablegram for you" she announced
coldly.
With trembling hands Mamie opened
the blue and white envelope and drew
out the slip Her expression changed
rs she read.
"It is from Arthur" she said quietly
"He is sailing from Japan
"Much good may it do him." was thu