The Huttig news., 1912-10-05
ALVERSON'S
ADVENTURE
(oopyrght, 1910, BY Associated Literary Press.l
By STACEY E. BAKER

Alverson found the letter on the
street. 1t was unopened and addressed
to Mrs. Martin Won Kruger. 104 Won
dermere avenue. His curious eyes
found the number above the door of
the house just opposite 1t was l04
Il have letter for Mrs Won Kru.
ger" he explained to the tidy maid
answering the bell Z"
You are expected, sir" answered
the servant, with a neat little bow
This way, please"
But" objected Alverson.
Too late. The maid was already
on her way. With 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 a 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 Alyer.
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 eafeessly laid
on convenient stand unopened.
you see" continued Mrs. Won Kru-
ger, you have been so thoroughly de
scribed to ne that | have had a mind
picture of you for months Tall,
broad-shouldered, curly hair. blue
eyes, resolute jaw, high cheek bones.
and-1et me see-good conversations
alist''
Alverson mentally summed up the
situation. Here was he, a soap sales.
man out of Chicago. exchanging airy
persifiage 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 lie
squirmed. metaphorically, in his chair
and cursed his own stupidity in not
explaining
This last mental raeking 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.. Alyerson, my daughter Dol
lie. you have often heard me speak of
the AlYersons 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 a
dreami A revelation,
Il am pleased to meet you" He
heard his voice respond to the intro
duction as from a distance His
senses swan. Magnetism is closely
akin to hypnotism.
What do you think of New York
MIR. Alverson?" asked the girl.
1T was on the tip of the youths
tongue to say that the novelty of g
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 | 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
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
planation 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 a 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 meutis. 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, Il don't know but What
| am glad 1t happened. This may have
tendency to do away with her-er-
vagary."
Then my calls should continue, "
suggested the travelling man.
What do you mean?"
why. that l should be allowed 70
81