The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1908-08-28


will send 1t the first thing in the morn
ing" she said as she went down to
dinner.
Three hours aftefwaru she fastened
the ivory elephant TO the long gold
chain attached to her fan and went to
the Gearing dance.
Late In the evening. flushed with
dancing and looking very much like
rose in her pink frock, she waited
in the conservatory willie her partner
went for an i.e. Mrs.. Gearing fiutter-
ed down an aisle of orange trees with
tall young man IN tow.
Marian, dear, let me present MT.
Beckwith - Miss Standish. shall
leave you to entertain her. Johnson"
she futtered away again, intercepting
the ice laden young man and carrying
him captive into the ballroom.
Marian's customary sangfroid aban'
doned her, and she stood with guilty,
downcast eyes before the owner OF the
white elephant. He was looking down
at her with a strange expression on his
face
"Haye you dance to spareT be
asked after an awkward. silence.
81 am afraid not" she, replied In a
low tone Then with quick move
ment she detached the charm from her
chain and held 1t toward him in her
small gloved palm. This is yours,
believe" she added breathessly. 81
found 1t that day In the park, and
have intended to return IT. but 1t was
so pretty have delayed'1 Her voice
faltered, and her lovely eyes filled
with tears
Beckwith was looking az her agitat
ed face with very tender eyes.
Don't distress yourself. Miss Stand
ish." he said earnestly, "Of course
am delighted to find 1t, but there was
no harm in your keeping 1t as long a'
you wished"
"Please take it now" she said hur
riedly.
How did you know It was miner
he asked as he placed the little ele
phant In bis pocket.
If saw the advertisement In the pa
per the next morning, and then-tha
day-when met you in the park-ant
you saw It and spoke to mel don
know what you thoughtV'
~ never saw it!' he laughed cheer
fully. "You had dropped this, and
was about to call your attention to
when you and the dog froze me Wit
--looks! He took from an inner pocR
ct small daintily embroidered hand
kerchiew. Marian Joined In his laugh
but she felt very uncomfortable whei
he returned the handkerchief to 1t
hiding place with an air Of quiet pos
session. A certain expression abou
his mouth enlightened her as to hi
identity.
"You must be JohnsoH Mordaun
Beckwith, the explorer. l have rea
your book on East Indian islands, an
am sure there is a portrait In tn
front of the book" She was radiar
with interest.
GUILTY.! he admitted promptly
"Now, how am | to reward your hoT
esty, Miss Standish?" he asked wit
mock seriousness.
"Tel me the meaning of the my
terious rattle within the charm. al
dying to know" she replied.
T cannot tell you now," he said, wit
sudden gravity. perhaps some day
may, If you will let me-"
Three months later, when she ha
consented to marry him, Johnso
Beckwith told her the brief story
the white elephant.
at was given to me as a mark
esteem by an Indian prince" he sal
'Tn itself the elephant is one OF mu
. titude Of similar curios, but II
. detached 1t from his fob, and with
slight twist of his fingers the goI
, band slipped away and the charm fe
, in halves, and from one Of the halv'
rolled marvellous ruby. "This." Co
/ tinued Beckwith tenderly, was Il
, gift Of the prince, and placed 1t
| here for safe keeping. | planned TIL
: some day 1t would be worn by II
| wife"
, "Was 1t not wonderful that shou
find It, Johnson" she asked MS b
r arms encircled her.
: at is the most wonderful adyentu
{ that has ever befallen me. darling
: he said as he kissed her lips.