The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1914-05-07

u I";p' could not have
L--J the dainty pend
ant at which she was gazing longingly.
They are my birthstones," she told
The clerk, 'and l need the luck they
would bring me. No." she shook her
head and handed back the velvet case.
Il would have to go without lunches
for three years in order to pay for
It."
Bronson was uncomfOrtably suscep-
tlble to the timbre of the voice
Il will have you send me those cuff
links when the engraving is finished"
she was saying to the clerk A mo-
ment later she had given her name and
address and turned from the counter.
Bronson did not look after her lie
was not interested in her as a woman.
SHOW me that opal and diamond
pendant?' he asked of a clerk who had
not served Avis Brayton-for such was
the girls name,
Send this to Miss Avis Brayton."
he told the clerk and gave her the adj
dress. He scribbled line on a blank
card, paid the bill and went his way.
When the package was received by
the girl with whom Avis roomed she
thought nothing of It and took it in
without question.
But how could l know to send it
back?" questioned Mary Ellen when
Avis unwrapped the pendant q sup
posed it to be something you had or
lered."
"Oh-h," gasped Avis, delight glowing
in her eyes, it is the very one | want
ed so badly"
Avis Brayton--that is the most ro-
mantle thing l ever heard Of An
anonymous token Of admiration"
Mary Ellen wrote love stories that oc-
casionally brought checks from the
magazines You will meet him some
lay and marry him know it,"
1t was two years later that Bronson
entered the Van Wiide's spacious
drawing room. The affair-was din
nermusicale.
Bronson was more or less attracted
to a girl to whom he had not been
presented. She was extraordinarily
beautiful, and her gown Of white chif-
fon and swansdown brought out every
manifold charm Of her.
The girl was evidently one of the
song birds. She was even then ma
king a graceful pilgrimage toward the
side of the grand piano.
Bronson sighed. Surely a girl so
oyely could not be possessed Of very
great musical ability. That would be
an abundance of gifts seldom given to
one being. However, the applause
,hat greeted her appearance beside the
piano gave partial evidence that she
was at least of magnetic personality,
Later, he met the wonderful girl
and the very slightest Of premonitions
then warned him that he was on the
verge of a tremendous love affair.
His unique trend Of thought was inter-
rupteed by the voice Of his hostess.
81 am giving you our star to lead in
to dinner" Mrs. Wide told him and
indicated the singer
1T ID she who viii Lead can but
follow" said Bronson with a gallant
bow.
At the dinner table it was Jimmy
Rogers who made the startling sug-
gestion.
Il want you to dsabuse our minds
on one conviction, Miss Brayton,' he
said with laugh. An famous people
are supposed at one time to have
gone about bare-fOoted and all that
sort OF thing. Tell US the true story Of
your life" A general laugh followed.
Avis Brayton smiled
1T is a long story and a true one"
she began laugbiuly, and there is a
little of the romantic in it. really Was
all but barefoot once. My room
mate and !, Mary Ellen was her name
you can see it in al the best maya.
zines nowhere cooking our meals in
n chatting dish to save money. We
were very poor, but optimistic When
we were at the lowest stage Of the lad,
der /" Avis paused and held up the
opal pendant, was presented with this
necklace-anonymously." She glanced
about at the guests and wondered ut
the sudden indrawn breath Of her Ia
BILE companion.
II have never lnoWn who sent it,
but it brought me luck almost during
the hour | received it. | would not
part with it were the donor himself to
ask it."
Accusing fingers were pointing to
Bronson.
There couldn't be two eccentric
philanthropic specimens -- Bronson
here is the guilty person or I'm
Dutchman!" laughed Jimmy Rogers.
Your eccentricity in this case, Mr..
Bronson. has given me all my quo
cess" she said softly in that mellow
voice that had a Sistful timbre II
have feeling that one day. can re-
ward you"
Bronson gazed OF her until q soft
color crept into her cheeks, then he re-
moved his glance md gave back the
banter that was being generously
hurled toward him.