Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1912-07-25

those sacred portals, put DOnalu ware
did not appear. nor did she learn
aught OF him in answer to her few
diplomatic inquiries.
The next day Elinor sought to de-
spatch her household duties at an
early hour Mrs. Porter, her house
keeper, bemoaned the sourlng OF the
cream she had intended TO use for a
delectable short-cake.
why, I'll run right over to the
Hammonds and get some cream said
Elinor briskly. we shall not be
cheated out Of our strawberry cake
for dinner"
She caught up a sunbonnet as she
passed out at the side door; her ruff
fed white apron patched the front of
her plain cambria morning gown, and
she hastily buttonod the cum bands
as she walked between the lilac bush
es and swung open the gate. Across
the road was tho Hammond turn.stile
and the pathway leading TO the rear
Of the house; but, as Elinor paused
for an instant TO glance up and down
the wide driveway, she beheld a sight
that made her heart leap and then
seem TO cease beating, while an icy
fear chilled the life current in her
veins.
4 big touring car was rapidly ap-
preaching around the bend Of the
street, and, Just opposite, straying idly
into the dust OF the roadway from
the high grass that skirted the Ham
mond fence, was the tiny figure OF
| child, bareheaded, wide eyed. unaware
of any danger. In a swift glance Ell
nor took in the figures at the distant
front gate, unrecognizing, but desper-
ately aware that they were too far
| away to lend assistance. Like a
| monster, the big car bore down upon
the small fodder; and then, with the
shril toot of the horn, rose the pierre
| ing cry of a woman's voice. as Elinor
| darted forward to meet the child. AS
she hurled herself at the small form,
| with outstTetched arms, she felt the
impact of something heavy and crush
ing, as If the monster had leaped from
its tracks TO overtake her flying body,
and a terrific, triumphant metallic
| shrek was the last sound she heard
as consciousness deserted her.
Slowly and painfully, Elinor came
back to realization of her surround
ings. She was lying on the lounge in
her sitting room, with cretonne cush-
ions under her head and some one
holding her hand. II was a clasp
new yet not quite strange; there was
an unmistakable reminiscent thrill in
| 81 &c Tn q
fingers that drew her gaze downward
as soon as her lids consciously lifted.
A muscular brown hand with signet
ring on the little fnger-and then she
looked wondoringly along the dark
sleeve to the leaning shoulders and
anxious face of Donald Ware. A swift
flush dyed her features, and she
closed her eyes again; her hand flut'
tered as If to escape, but he held It
fast.
"Elinor, you know me? It's Donald
Thank God you are all right. You are
all right, aren't you?"
Her answer came family. 81 think
so. How did 1t happen? Oh-but the
little one?"
safe, Elinor--it was splendid
thing to do! And you might have
been crippled-killed!"
IL thought was. Such a shock!
I'm not sure yet that no bones arc
broken" But she was smiling, and
her eyes were turning toward him
again. Donald Ware rose and threw
back his shoulders.
Look at me, Elinor. Have
changed much? oh. should have
known you anywhere"
She suddenly became conscious Of
her working attire and her disheveleC
hair. She thought of the trailing pale
blue gown and the pink rose and tn,
ringletted couture, and she laughed
softly.
Donald" she said whimsically
you are just a grown-up boy. Yol
l. should have been fat and stamped
! with high living. And why have yol
d kept away from all your old friends
+. since you came to Beverly?"
i Il was not sure which Of my oil,
friends might want to see me. ! wa
s making few quiet inquiries first; 70
5. l knew nothing of Beverly affairs, yor
hlON. ltl udNt bttll ItBONIel III
g for little property. l am going t
It build and settle here"
oh" With a sudden thought O
e what that might mean, Elinor's fac
d blanched, although she tried to smile
g Swiftly, Donald Ware resumed his sea
t and caught her hands impulsively.
l. "Elinor, | have been alone for tw
'r years. | came back to inquire abou
you'll have. never forgotten. But
j, was afraid to meet you until-dea
e heart, you understand? l want ,th
e rest of our lives to be spent togethe
!. Do you know whose child you save
h to day."
n Her serious eyes widened wit
II startled comprehension. yours, Dol
'r ald-oh, I'm so glad! Where is he?
Mrs. Porter is ministering to hi
" needs. You shall see him present.!
d Then, Elinor, you still have a plac
"a in your heart for me-for us both?"
d. She stretched out her arms an
d drew his head downward TIL her lip