The Ordway new era., 1913-08-29

the big hotels that fringed 1t wero
not wholly devoid of guests. Little
figures of men and women dotted the
promenade. Maisie shuddered as they
two ascended the slope of the walk
and began that desolate walk
through the dreary sea-front. 1t was
like coming back from fairyland to
the world OF humanity again-that
world which had despised and re-
1ected them and had no, place for
them. ...W
Frank turned and gripped Maisie's
arm f1ercely.
Dear. I'm going to make good" he
said. at must be that I am of some
use In the world. 1t cannot be that
you and l are destined never to be
anything more to one another and
Just because of the lack Of a few
miserable dollars. II l can earn two
thousand dollars we will have our
farm: then l shall be able to write
something worth while. know we
shall succeed"
Poor Frank! Maisie looked at him
wistfully Neither Of them had ever
owned fifty dollars at time. And
Frank was close on thirty. That two
thousand dollars would have to drop
from the skies; nothing seemed less
possible. She watched Franks slouch-
ing figure with a heartache. How
shabby he was! The resolution had
already dwindled away. He was only
a poor clerk: he would never be any
thing more.
They we're walking among the strag-
Cling visitors to the little place. A
nurse.girl wheeled two fat infants in
baby-carriage. A misunderstanding
little man with waxed mustaches was
approaching them. Probably he was
earning ten times as much as Frank,
thought Maisie, with a fierce hatred
Of him. It began to drizzle-a fine,
penetrating rain that blotted out tho
sight of the sea. Both were In the
depths of misery. Maisie opened her
umbrella and held 1t over Frank-the
action was instructive and demon
strated her unconscious maternal at
titude toward him. He linked his
arm through hers but he did not take
the umbrella; he was far away. COM
posing. Even Maisie was forgotten
for the moment.
Maisie heard an exclamation behind
her and the fat little man came pant
Ing toward her. Had she dropped
something? Probably handkerchief.
But she would make the fat little
man run; 1t was her idea OF revenge
upon him for his mustaches and his
absurd. prosperous look. She heard
him blowing and painting. "Mees!
Mees!" he was calling. He was evil
IDENTIFY a Frenchman.
"Mees! Mees! Ave you dropped
this?" Z.
Maisie turned round. The little
man was standing before her. and in
his hand he held-that absurd mass
OF sea growth which she had flung
away upon the beach. She must have
let 1t fall into her umbrella. and.
when she opened 1t. 1t had slipped
out upon the boardwalk. Maisie felt
furious.
"Yes. dropped that" she said
icily. But 1t is of no value to me.
Keep 1t. monsieur, II It interests you"
The fat little man looked quizzical-
ly at her.
"Mademoiselle Is. without doubt, q
milionaire?" he inquired blandly.
Something In his tone arrested
Maisie's angry answer. There was q
strange look in the little mans eyes.
What Is it?" she asked.
"Ambergris." said the fat little
man. THE basis OF perfumes. Tho
mos valuable Of the seas gifts. I am
a perfumer. mademoiselle. buy
heem."
How much?" asked Maisie.
II Civ you-t'ree t'ousan' dollars"
said the fat little man.
That was the only time Maisie ever
scolded Frank for whistling.
Copyright. 1918. by W. G. Chapman.)