The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-11-17
ALVERSON'S
ADVENTURE

By STACEY E. BAKER

By STACEY e. BAKER a
Copyright lslo. b. Associated Literary PressJ
Alverson found the letter on the
street. It was unopened and addressed
to- Mrs. Martin Won Kruger. 104 Won
defmere avenue. His curious eyes
found tho number above the door Of
the house Just opposite. It was 104.
Il have letter for Mrs. Won Kru.
GER" he explained to the tidy maid
answering the bell. IL"
You are expected. SIR" answered
the servant, with q neat little bow.
This way. please
But" objected Alverson.
Too late! The maid was already
on her way. With q resigned sigh he
followed.
Mrs. Won Kruger swept gracefully
across the velvet carpet and extended
. well manicured hand ON the artistic
level of the young mans chin. She
was tall. portly dame, middle aged,
and with the confident air Of the sue.
cessful social leader.
Il knew you instantly" She smiled
into the face of the surprised Alver.
son. Instantly" she reiterated, re-
leasing his hand. BE seated, please.
Dolly will be in in moment"
Alverson gave over to the woman
the letter which she carelessly laid
on convenient stand-unopened. i
"You see." continued Mrs. Won Kru-
ger. you have been so thoroughly de.
scribed to me- that have had mind
picture Of you for months. Tall,
broad-shouldered. curly hair, blue
eyes. resolute jaw. high cheek bones,
and-let me see-good conversation.
alist.'"
Alverson mentally summed up the
situation. Here was he. soap sales.
man out of Chicago. exchanging airy
persiflage with a hostess who certain.
ly entertained under the delusion that
her visitor was some one expected.
And he was poor enough to sit here
and accept this same hospitality. He
squirmed, metaphorically. In his chair,
and cursed his own stupidity in not
explaining.
This last mental racking was
brought about by keen glance at the
slim girl who had drawn aside the
portieres that curtained the entrance
to another room and now stood, q
slight flush upon her fair cheeks, re.
vealed In all her dainty loneliness.
"Mr. Alverson. my daughter. Dol.
lie. you have often heard me speak of
the Alversons of Chicago. This is one
| Of them"
Alverson's heart leaped into his
throat. How did this woman know
him? He had never heard Of the Won
krugers at home and he was quite
certain that had the family been az
intimate with them as the words OF
bis hostess seemed to imply he would
at least be familiar with their names
But the girl! For the second that
their hands met in brief contact all
thoughts of this unusual situation
vanished from his mind. She was a
dream! A revelation!
Il am pleased to meet you." He
heard his voice respond to the intro.
duction as from q distance. His
senses swan. Magnetism IL closely
akin to hypnotism.
What do you think of rev York.
MIR. Alverson?" asked the girl.
1T was on the tip Of the youths
tongue to say that the novelty of q
trip to the metropolis had worn away
several seasons ago. but he suddenly
recollected that he was undoubtedly
supposed to be q stranger in the city
From what have seen of New
York today am much impressed" he
! declared. his mind, as q conscience
| easer. reverting to the several sub.
stantial orders he had filed.
Mrs. Won Kruger. after several con.
ventional phrases. suddenly excused
herself and left the room.
No sooner had the portieres closed
behind her than the girl leaned for
ward In her chair and, with a steady
eye on the youth, asked:
"And now am ready for your ex.
2ASA0SAOAs WIN 0A0 yOuS 0A
The man gasped at the suddenness
o. the question. Surprises were the
order Of the evening.
"Why-I-" he suffered. and then.
with determined effort to brazen It
through. what do you mean? You
heard your mothers introduction. did
you not?"
Mother" explained the girl. "is-er
non compos mentis. and the Alverson
she speaks Of has been dead for 10
years. At the time she was stricken
she was expecting this person to pay
her Q conventional call and she has
never gotten beyond that day. Now.
Il I may repeat, who are you?"
And Alyerson explained.
"Had our regular maid been on
duty" continued the girl. this would
never have happened. But mothers
little failing has never been explained
!