The evening times., 1911-08-19

laid down glanced back her
"Why up?" exclaimed scanning envelope
letter from Oxford surely Mrs Wade of CristcreI thought
knew the hand Aud she's not an American
We, youself!' Lucy
pouting l took it and read:
Hancock just your
band you going trip New York this
Could manage to do great kindness: hope
wont mird it, We have American friend. Miss Easter
brook City, Professor r. Easterlrook
the we'll Yale gco"ist who much wishes
Atlantic. If You would be
take charge u" her and deliver her safely Dr. Horace Easter
brook of IIoke arrival in States you would do
good turn to her and the tine confer eternal favor
yours very truly, EMILY WADE"
Lucy folded her hands in melodrlmac despair
"1Sals'S City" exclaimed &
THAT horrd Mrs. Wade She just did it purpose!'
ut me-. put ill., regarding the letter close, she did
merely claperon girl"
vernon my wife exclaimed with very decided air you
such smplctons! The hateful hateful wec She did
it spite me! Oh boy My dear gleless Ber
Bernard mention, is Oldest aged just twenty
four and Cambridge graduate.
"What i"ng:' asked as Lucy down with
lutey determined her writing table in the
"11oing wife replied with asperity in her
"Wly. answering that hateful. ,ecSt,ic woman.'
glanced her shoulder and followed her she
my Dear Mrs. Wadelt indeed delight to
your neat little handwriting again Nothing would give
greater pleasure I'm than take charge of FRIEND
who I'm confident. shall find charming companion
Bernard will be with she won't dull
hope to have delightful your happy
providing us with travelling COMPANION will add doubt to all
especially Bernals We join very
est regards to Mr. Wade and YOURSELF and
cordially HANCOCK"
My fastened down envelope with a crushing air.
"There! That ought said, glancing
triumphany "If after such letter
Yankee girl caperon all
of shame and all notions But
She'll withdraw he unolrlsivey'
She was wrong however BY next evenings post
letter arrived dscmposing if possible
the first
Lucy B. Hancock, London:
Dear Madam-I learn my of Oxford
college, that kind charge
your courtesy and will
gladly your friendly you by
what steamer start will register
Lverpool enough me from what
go
in the I'm unused to travel alone Respectfully
MELISSA 2. EASTERBROOK."
Lucy gazed at it in despair "A
all horror struck "oh dear Bernardo The
says! Go along with you the Melissa p Easter
brook"
Perhaps said tentatively, "she be better
And, at any Bernards marry her!'
day Miss Easter
brook in reply of Lucys
fess it drew up my a somewhat painful picture l be-
to believe wfes ways grounded
Mrs Lucy B. Hancock. London before,:
Dear Madam--I thank for yours you
the day and hour depot You will
know when because dove colored
dress with bonnet to match and pair of spectacles Re
spectfuly. MELISSA p EASTERBROOK."
laid sighed. "A New England schoolmarm!"
exclaimed. with sroan.
At last the to go to Liyernool We
arrived ST. Pancras looked about on
platform tall and hard faced person of trnsaantic
aspect arrayed in gray spec-
tacles But Nobody about seemed to answer
description At last BERNARD turned TO nv vita with
curious smile Il think Eve wav-
ing his hand vaguely the right THAT lady yonder by
be Melissa"
looked suggested and paused for certain
ty There rresolne by the gazing about her tmdy
with nqurng stood the
little western girl
IN dove coored dress, with bonnet
gray spectacles.
Melissa came forward tentatively dainty blush half rising
OH ner rather pale and delicate little cheeks
she SAID III an nqnrng tone with the suspicion
an American accent in her musical small
nahd cordially Il was sure
on With pretty confidence looking face because
MIS- wade told me you'd be kind a mother And
the moment saw just said myself must be Mrs
so pt1y ot,orj,y'
Ihat was the beginning. l as last
were all OF us taken by storm right
neseif struck her flag Internationally
fred and Bernard and hard points, surrendered at
discretion She was the charming girl the human
mind
Meissas most winning characteristic however as it seemed
way across England she told everything herself her
family her friends her neigbos population of Kansas
City In general Not obtrusvely egoscayof egotsn Me-
ssa would be wholly ncapabe-but certain tmd confd
tnS half chdke OF the lost little girl abso
!dtely captivating "Oh maam' answer to one
o1 LQcys earliest questions II didn't
Id be afraid to- with whole squad were do
ing Europe prominent lady Kansas charge Of
the square lot And Rome hem through
Germany and Switzerland and then money to
1t further, had back Travelling high in Eu
what with hotels your
baggage checked And that's how escort"
Bernard smiled good naturedy "Then you only fixed
sum- he asked "to make your European wih?"
"Thats So SIR" Melissa answered. looking quiz
zcaly through those pretty put away