Smyrna times., 1911-02-08
Phyllis Mystery.


voking?"
"What's the matter, Phyllis ?''
Phyllis rosy lips pouted a ood
deal as she said: "Roger has just
come to tell me that Trip is lame
and can't move out of the stable a nd
it's SO far to walk to the Gables and
back.
"It's six miles. Perhaps you'd
better put off going to the gables,
Phyllis. !"
Phyllis face fell.
"But l promised Rose. And she
has invited the Eldred girls, and they
have two visitors from London, and
and"
"Charlie Dorth, Phyllis. -
"Well, yes, auntie," admitted
Phyllis, coloring deeply. She added
that she believed Mr.. Dorth was
coming over from Hazeldean to the
Bartlett's that particular afternoon.
PHYLLIS Hartford was not exactly
an orphan, but at least neither she
nor anyone else knew anything about
her parents. All that was known
is soon told. One day fifteen years
ago traveller arrived at the Rose
and Crown Inn at Hazledean with
PRETTY little girl in his keeping, but
almost entirey free from luggage of
any description. The visitor was
noticed from the first to act strange
ly, but as he paid for three days en-
tertainment in advance, his eccen-
tricities were tolerated. Dawkins,
the landlord of the Rose and Crown,
had told the whole story a thousand
times if he had told it once.
The next day after securely lock-
ing the little girl-who called him
papa-in the chamber, he went out
saying he was going to purchase her
some picture books. But just out
side OF the Rose and Crown and in
full view of the landlady he was set
upon by three men, who had that
moment arrived in the village, bound
firmly and led away. During this
process one of the three remarked to
Mrs. Dawkins-Dawkins had just
stepped out for a while:
Its a wonder, mum, you amt
all been murdered in your beds It's
a precious lunatic what is just es-
capped from the asylum.
This stsrtling information drove
all thoughts of the little girl ur
stairs completely out of the worthy
landlady head.
But when her better half returned
he instantly saddled the mare anC
rode pell NELL all the way to Hazel
dean station with the child in hi.
/ arms. He reached there just in tim,
to see the train move out.
"Hi" Dawkins cried. "Tak
the gentleman's daughter with you
Here's the gentleman's daughter. ,
Keep her safe,' responded on
of the three. And l will return fo
her.
But he never kept his word. Day
passed into months and months int
|. years, but nobody ever came to re
claim Phyllis Hartford or to explai
the mystery.
The vicar took the case up.
} was placed in the hands of th
police, and Phyllis case was adveI
: tsed far and wide, but with no sa
ls isfactory result. At length Phyll
T. was adopted by an amiable gentle
IN woman who lived at some distan,
is from Hazledean and whom She gre
up to call aunt. Certainly she cou
ne never have loved a real aunt al
n; more than she loved Miss Rach,
: Deptford.
u "Auntie, :" said Phyllis suddenl,
A. 81 think shall walk to the Gable
after all. May I?''
"You will tire yourself, my chill
"Oh, no. l shall not walk back
at least not alone. Mrs. Bartlett
sure to give me the loan of ira
'Very we'll, dear. But shs
expect you home very early. If y,
are not back at dark, | shall nal
Roger walk all the way to the Gabl
after you.
In twenty minutes more Phyll
bending forward her dainty figure
the breeze, was speeding thro' t.
wood on her way to the Bartletts.
Phyllis enjoyed herself immensl,
that day. The party even tri
their hand at skating on the mer
and Mr.. Dorth was the kindest a
:, most indulgent of partners. She d
not like the looks of one of the Ban
let's guests nor could she unders ia
- why he started so violetly when
heard her name mentioned by Ro
n Bartlett, nor why he eyed her
4 keenly and so persistently the who
? afternoon. The time came to e
II plain the accident which had befs