The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-05-01

Copyright. 1909. By Benz. B. Hampton.

- II seldom that plot happens in real iife
Dramatic incidents plenty, and people
In general do not distinguish, yet there is a
vast difference.
There 10 = tale which happened and which
seems to me wel-fashioned, yet because I
was In II. may not trust my own judgment 30
! will tell the tale and let It be Judged.
It began In Washington when my lad Philip
was nve years old; and such handsome boy that
found myself conspicuous wherever went with
him. On day had him In big shop, in the
elevator. going down. He did not like the plunge
and he cutched my hand while the machine slid.
stopped. and dropped with hideous suddenness
Next to stood a very tall woman who had
come In ut the last STOP felt her stir every
one looked toward US, and she bowed her head az
. flower might bend on its stalk over Philip
1.-THE dear little soul!' she said.
Then felt q quick movement and heard
exclamation. but rather expected people to be
startled by the good looks Of my son. simply
checked OF one more person Of discrimination in
my mind, and the boy and left the elevator and
hurried to cab. l put the youngster in and
stopped to give the driver order. and at that
moment there was q touch my arm.
turned quickly. There the tall woman Of
the elevator. I saw her plainly in this clearer
light and realized at once that she was uncommon.
sas tall or h
not young-I think about sixty years old-and her
hair was strong silver Her eyes were gray and
bloom. The face was radiant. And about her
the quality which asserts itself without asser-
body o''n''''' cue "4' ''''> 's
saw all this stood at the curbstone. Phil
II beg your pardon" she began but couldn't
let your little boy get away: It's such big world
to him?" and she bent toward him. will you
shake hands with me?" and Philip put out one
hand with and his his
chin elastic battling for the mastery.
A laugh rang out which was astonishingly
young and fascinating and delightful. l never
heard laugh 30 spontaneous except In children.
She turned to me with her eyes dancing.
she said eagerly. sAnd 80 like! It's . miracle!
But haven't told YOU am objectionable. You
@as me- ea ea things Is
exactly like my own boy as he used to be-indeed
It's not fancy-it's resemblance saw it in
the elevator and then thought must have i'm
asined it. because Philip is always in my mind.
50 have followed you to see And it's stronger
likeness than thought It's like having my child
'I'm very glad" told her. And It's strange.
"No!" she said: Certainly Providence led me
to that elevator" And then, after seconds
pause: ''You mustn't think I'm kidnapping you,
but I feel an II couldn't lose you and your boy.
Won't you let me know you! am Mrs Cor
don. live in Washington. I hope you will let
traordinarily your son is like him. Will you?"
OF course said yes, and In minute she had my
Me
..Who Is Mrs. Gordon" asked at dinner that
night. There were ten people at the table and
eight answered with some variation Of You surely
must know" And then my host gave me short
history Of her.
Mrs. Gordon was q daughter OF Nathaniel Emory
Hewitt, who had been Governor of Delaware, Sec
rotary OF State. Ambassador to France we'll
known man. The girl had visited in England and
had met and married young Lord Heringstone. and
few years later he had died. leaving her. people
aid not too unhappy for apparently he was every
h}nv hat r a
child Of three or four year or two later her
father had been made minister to France. and. as
Mrs Hewitt was dead, she had gone to be at the
head Of his house. She lived there three years.
and at the end Of that time her engagement was
announced to Admiral Gordon, an Englshman who
had splendid nghting record
Elbow she did it--that clever woman don't
See" said Mr.. Van Arden. He had great posi-
I was glad to be at home the next afternoon
when Mrs. Gordon came While Philip explained
pressive face; . face more filled with youth than
many Of eighteen years.
VI Il see." she consulted with Phil earnestly 1.-THE
puppy faster because he has four legs and
you have only two. But he hasn't any hands at
all. or arms. Will you bring this charming per-
impulsiveness like a summer breeze. as unexpected
~ welcome. OF course. we accepted the invitation
On Thursday. in the large house where she lived
It appeared to me that the rooms were filled with
pictures Of my boy 1t was odd to see him looking
ut me from 10 many strange corners-Philip as
baby. - = toddler OF two. ~ strapping. square
man OF four. and again, with his legs beginning to
lenSthen. Just as he was now-only all in unknown
clothes. It was strangest to see him grown older
like prophecy-at seven and nine and fifteen
and twenty, splendid broad-shouldered youth
Keeping his promise Of beauty. The pictures cul-
minated in the strong face still with my lads
eyes, at Lord Heringstone at thrty-five. good
face. which explained his mothers light-hearted-
ness. The has inherited from the right side:
she was satisfied with him.
looked likeness after another and saw.
40 she showed them to me. that this son was the
cornerstone of her life. 1t seemed unreasonable
that woman like this should 60 through life with
out genuine love affair. The hrst marriage must
have been simply two stages. delusion and disap-
pointment: the second might have been convent
ence or ambition-even affection-anything but
love.
Philip when he had been extracted. lumpy and
wedged, from his coat and entanglements, stalked
to table where stood painting ivory of
child, he regarded 1t with earnestness. and Mrs
Gordon and waited. That's me-" he decided