The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-07-18

TASTE FOR ADORNMENT
BY FRANK M. o'BRlEN.

chief bOokkeeper confirmation OF MS
own idea that he had completed his
first million, he, Mr.. Elton, remem'
bered that he had forgotten some
thing.
1T was just twenty years ago to-
day." he said to one Of his partners
and the partner pricked up his ears
as IL expecting orchestral accompani-
ment-"that l left Farmerstown.
1T was day just like this down In
Maine, spring in the air, but not 80
much hellish noise. ! haven't been
back there SINCE"
Village turn out to say farewell to
young hero?' asked Mr.. Henderson,
who was the floor member Of the bro
kerage firm and who from experience
on the exchange made 1t habit to
omit superfuous language.
Nothing like that" replied Elton.
Those who wished I'd make fortune
were those to whom my parents owed
bills when they died, just few weeks
before.
"The only on-the-level farewell | got
was from Mary Sarre, the neighbors
daughter. She was all Of fifteen. |
was only seventeen myself; only
thirty-seven now, and an old man.
And so she's thirty-five, If she's alive. /"
Were you strong for herr" inquired
Mr.. Henderson. 1t was his coarse
way.
He never minced words, even in
calling on customers for more margin.
i think was" said Elton.
why haven't you married herr"
pursued the blunt partner.
Il haven't had time," said Elton
sharply. 81 don't know whether she'd
marry me. | don't even know that
she's alive. Probably If ! saw her
coming this minute I'd run, scream
ing!
But If had gone back In ten years
and married her probably would be
better off. What have | got now? A
according to the books; an
apartment with man servant who is
a constant reproach; an automobile
whose real owner, the chauffeur won't
let me jiggle the carburetor, and
case Of occasional jumps, which the
doctor calls the warning OF nervous
breakdown"
THAT million might have some
slight appeal to the lady" said Hen
derson, IF she Is still free and as
attractive as of yore. What was her
Juvenile idea Of triumphal return?"
sShe asked me-" said Elton slowly
and ref1ectively, ito come back hon
est and buy her the brooch in the gen.
eral store.'
"Ah, taste for adornment," CON-
nented Henderson. Nothing beyond
your present means, | trust"
"A plain little cameo thing" laughed
elton, with two faces on 1t and
square gold band around 1t. think
I'D Baxter wanted s8.75 for It; said
he gold was 1S-carat. We used to
ook at 1t almost every day.
i think" continued Elton after a
'ause. that I'll go to Europe. The
market is dull and I'm tired"
HAk
henderson. Perhaps your chauffeur
would consent to drive you there
Four days later Elton entered Farm.
rstown in six-cylinder triumph
No one seemed to know him and he
vas glad of It.
The old church was there, and the
Id store, with a new garage souatting
eside 1t. Baxter's had not progressed
luch.
Elton went In. bought three apples
nd asked to see collar buttons. While
g trified with the buttons he scanned
ne show case,
tie had In his pocket a solitaire wor-
~ OF an assistant rajah's bride, but
knew the value of the dramatic and [
felt that if-well, II he wanted tn s
ny anything important the brooch
ould be help. I
The brooch was there and II was
Ill $S.7b. Elton bought It
i wonder" mused Elton as HIS car
'ed toward the house of James sarre
ust how long that brooch was IN
10 store and how much the loss ON
was at compound interest"
Elton was spared the embarrass.
ent OF asking for Mary Sarre.
she was coming out of the gate as
neared her fathers house.
de saw two things at a glance. that
o was unmarried and very poor. I
he might have been able to tell Won i
ny he knew she was poor. but the
OF learning at a glance whether Ia
person one has not seen In twenty es
ars is married or not is an art that m
mot be described-at least NOT d.
re. fC
Nor did he, when the car stopped u u
side her, need to bring into nlav M M
y g tt snail, polite conversation
I'd prepared in the fear that he
n, lind her some one whom he
rd!y knew. =.
Fer to him she was just the sana