The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-20
THE EVENING STORY
Tho White Elephant.
(By Clarissa Mackie. }

Marian StanQlSn round IL IN the park
one bright June morning. OF course 1t
was not the sort Of elephant that am
bles dustily along in the circus process
sion. On the contrary, it was carved
from bit Of ivory with some needle
like tools. and girdled about with a
narrow band of gold terminating in a
small ring.
"A fob charm and 1 wish I could
keep it," she exclaimed GENEROUSLY as
she examined the delicate workmanship
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 a distant interesting
path, a 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.
II will watch the papers and If 1t is
advertised Of course I shall return 1t;
I suppose ought to advertise 1t myself
well. I will, and in the meantime.
will enjoy its possession. 1t is the
dearest thing!'
The next morning Miss Standish
scanned the papers wit, interest; the
first one she threw aside with satisfac-
ton, the second with citation, but the
third sheet contained the dreaded in
quiry:
LOST-IN CENTRAL PARK ON THE
morning of June 18th. small ivory ele-
I'D band. Finder will please coinnriii-
cate with ]. M. Beckwfth, Block build
ng, city, and receive liberal rewari.
The white elephant stood meekly on
her dressing table. Marian picked 1t
up and examined it curiously. Three
tiny initials which had escaped her at
upon the gold band; she also discover
ed that the eyes were emerald sparks
and the miniature tusks were tipped
with gold.
You are too pretty to hang on
mans watch fob" she sighed discon-
she laid 1t down and she lifted t.again
and shook 1t briskly. There was some
thing inside that clicked, and the
knowledge that the bit Of carving was
not only hollow but was evidently the
receptacle of some delightful mystery,
was an added vexatfon, now that sne
must lose 1t.
There was something vaguely famil-
lar 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
yet she had never been there, but she
had read-where was 1t?
Marian Standish was the soul of
honesty. but she could not resist the
temptation 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 for
her morning walk, accompanied by mat
prize winning bulldog. Pedro. who was
as hideous as his mistress was beauti-
full.
In due course Of time they reached
the park and eventually entered the
same arboreal path where she had
found the white elephant. Walking
slowly toward her was a very tall
young man who was studying the
ground attentively as he advanced.
Marian blushed guiltily and Pr
hand flew to the white charm swinging
conspicuously against the black of her
skirt: and it seemed that the stranger
saw it, too. for with a quick glance at
her and beyond his good-looking face
frightened with sudden interest. He
removed his hat and paused.
1T beg your pardon, madam, but
-" he was beginning when her
chilling glance stopped the words on
his lips.
'Sir!" said Miss Standish haughtily,
leashed Pedro. who sneered con-
temptuously at the presumptuous
youth.
"I brought it on myself" Marian
chided herself as she crossed the park
toward home; "if 1 had not kept the
charm, I could not have worn it and
he would not have seen it and spoken
of course he had a right to under
the circumstances. Without a doubt
he is j. NJ. Beckwith,' for he was
where I found it; he probably values
1t highly; 1 fancy he picked it up in
India or China, and-where have I
seen his face beforehand his name; it
was to the very finger tips. and he was
well bred. too, and yet treated him as
though he were a cad! I will send it
to him tonight"
But she didn't. Three days passed
and the little white elephant still
swung at her belt; three days she had
walked in the park and three times
she had met the tall brown young
man who passed her with a haughti-
ness equal to her own.
IT suppose he thinks I am an I'M
prfncipled character" murmured Mar
Ian the third day. just after her dark
blue eyes had met his brown ones in
a brief glance.
Indl AFTERNOON sHe lnolteu Dr1e1
note to the owner of the white ele-
plant and prepared a little box in
which to send the charm to him; IT
will send it the first thing in the MORN
ing" she said, as she went down to |
dinner.
Three hours afterward 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 a |
rose in her pink frock, she waited in
the conservatory while her partner |
went for an ice. Mrs Gearing nut
tered down an aisle Of orange trees
with a tall young man in tow.
Marian, dear. let me present Mr. |