The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-08-04
ALVERSDN'S
ADVEN1J1R IRE
By STACEY E. BAR En-
(0opyright, iSl0. By Asseciated Iaterary PressJ

Alverson found che lettAf on the
street. It was unopened aud addressed
to Mrs. Martin Won Kruger, t04 Won
dermere avenue. His curious eyes
found the number above The door Of
the house just opposite. It was l0a.
Il have letter for Mrs. Won Klu.
ger" he explained to the tidy maid
answering the bell. "I-"
"You are expected, sir" severed
the servant. with a neat little bow.
"This way. please"
But" objected Alverson.
Too late! Tue maid was already
on her way. With resigned sigh he
followed.
Mrs. Won Krl.er swept s,acefully
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.
"You see." continued Mrs. Won Kru.
ger. you have been so thoroughly de-
scribed to me that have had a 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. a soap sales
man out Of Chicago. exchanging airy
persiflage with 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,
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 as
intimate with them as the words of
his 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 q
dream! A revelation!
Il am pleased to meet you," He
heard his voice respond to the intro
duction as from distance. His
senses swan. Magnetism is 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 a
trip to the metropolis had worn away
several seasons ago, but he suddenly
recollected that he was undoubtedly
supposed to be stranger in the city.
From what I have seen of New
York today am much impressed" he
declared. his mind, as conscience
easer. reverting to the several sub.
stantial orders he had filed.
Mrs. Won Kruger. after several con.
vent!onal 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 steady
eye on the youth. asked:
"And now am ready for your ex-
PLANTATION. Who are you. sir?"
The man gasped at the suddenness
of the question. Surprises were the
order of the evening.
"Why-I-" he suffered, and then,
with determined effort to brazen 1t
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 a conventional call and she has
never gotten beyond that day. Now,
II may repeat. who are you?"
And Alverson explained.
"Had our regular maid been on
duty" continued the girl. >"this would
never have happened. But mothers
little failing has never been explained
to our new acquisition" She turned
almost timid eyes toward the man.
However, IL don't know but what
am glad it happened. This may have
a tendency to do away with her-er-
vagary."
"Then my calls should continue"
su11ested the travelling man.