The Huttig news., 1910-08-20
ALVERSON'S ADVENTURE
Copyright, l9i0 by Associated Literary Press.)
By STACEY E. BAKER

Alverson found the letter on the street. It was unopened and addressed to Mrs. Martin Von Kruger, 104 Won l dermere avenue. His curious eyes found the number above the door of the house Just opposite. It was 104
 q have a letter for Mrs. Von Kru- ger," he explained to the tidy maid answering the bell T."
 You are expected. sir" answered the servant, with a neat little bow. 1 'This way, please"
 Put" objected Alverson.
 Too late! The maid was already on her way. With resigned sigh he followed
 Mrs. Von 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 ased. and with the confident air of the suc- cessful social leader.
 '.I knew you instantly" She smiled into the face of the surprised Aver 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. von Kru- ger. you have been so thoroughly de scribed to me that I 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 be, soap sales man out of Chicago, exchanging airy persillage 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, slight flush upon her fair cheeks, re- vealed in all her dainty loveliness.
 MT. 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 von 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 a dreaml 4 revelation!
 T am pleased to meet you" He heard his voice respond to the intro duction as from a distance. His senses swam Magnetism is closely | akin to hypnotism.
 What do you think of New York. Mr. AlYerson?" asked the girl.
 "It 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 | recoilected that he was undoubtedly | supposed to be stranger in the city
 From what I have seen of New York today I am much impressed,' he declared, his mind, as a conscience easer, reverting to the several sub stantial orders he had fled
 Mrs. Von 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 l am ready for your ex. planation, Who are you. sir?"
 The man gasped at the suddenness of the question. Surprises were the order of the evening.
 "Why--I-" be stuttered. and then, with a 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, if 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, I-J don't know but what I am glad 1t happened. This may have a tendency to do away with her-er-