Carrizozo outlook. [volume] (Carrizozo, N.M.) 1910-1945, 1918-01-18
MISSION ENIGMA
BY MILDRED WHITE.


long supper table. She was, In some
ln%dehnuhle way, different from the
throng OF girls who waited smlllngly
chnttcrlng together for the evenings
"irce mcni."
The keen eyes OF Reverend phillp
noted the ncatness Of her worn little
blue suit. the unmlstuknble air
about the simple turban. What was
she doing hcrc7 The girls Wide eyes
seemed To join him In the question as
they wandered lnqulrlngly about the
room.
81 hive been Interested ~ you" his
frank, pleasant voice addressed her.
'Hnd wondered II / might be of any
service. Though the Offer may seem
a prcsuming one, you may realize That
IL Is only those In need who accept
our hospitality"
The girl hcsitntcd, then her clear
gnze met his. "Thnnks,' she replied,
my need, ! hope. Is only temporary"
"YOu are n %strnnger?" he asked.
She nodded. 81 tome, ns you may
suppose. from n country town. +"
she laughed softly, "hope one day to
he q successful writer, hut the time rs
long I'm coming. A few accented mag
n2lnc stories encouraged me, hut now"
she pnuscd cioquently-"1 wait"
Better go back home" the curnte
advised, 'tho city Is not kind to those
who wnit.'
The girl looked back ut him. ~
have no home she answered simply,
"thnt went-whon my futhor died"
She Ind gone before he could form
a reply, and nll night with troubled
pcrslstcncy the sweet face haunted
him. AS had become his habit, he con-
hdcd IN the morning his concern to
his mother.
"YOu may have another opportunity
Of speaking 10 the girl at the next
mission supper his mother suggested.
III you do, persuade her to call upon
mo-" but she was absent nt the follow
ing Free meal to needy girls"
Philip missed her with II pang, the
eugerness with which he had looked
forward 10 the meeting was mex
plicublc. Could It be possible that
She was now In actual want. Ponder
Ing the question he entered upon some
errand the city's greatest department
store.
Swnylng toward him down the aisle
came II graceful figure. Ills eye had
barely become aware of the velvet
suit with the luxurious furs, the cost
~ picture hat deity placed upon wavy
hair, when, bewildercd, he found the
girl of the mission returning his star
tied gnze from beneath It's tilted brlm.
The childish eyes were skllfully dark
ened like those of nm actress, the
cameo paleness touched with rouge,
the lips painted TO n Cupid's bow.
The curHte stood indignant before
her. "What," he asked Hereby. re-
gurdless, does all this meanY"
~ viii explain tomorrow" she nm
swcred, Eat the free supper" Then
hcud erect, with her proud sway, sha
moved On.
Reverend Philip had no expectation
Of seeing her NJ the supper what was
her object In deceiyingl "A soclnl
worker or Investigator OF missions
would not" he mused snvagely, 'pulnt
herself up like n Christmas doll" And
at this point the girl entered. seating
herself AMIN at the end of the mis-.
sion table. Compelling hunger was
evidenced In her absorption 10 her
meal, the worn little suit again
clothed her trim figure. Reverend
~, lip nt lust cluimcd her attention.
"Welly' he asked briefly.
The girl smiled inyOlunturlly, her
pnle face wns very beautiful aguln.
lie felt It's magnetic power.
you want" she asked. IAN eS.
planutlou of this Mission Cinderella?
Wen, ! come, because so far, my writ.
ings cover room rent, but with tho
best management the food supply
keeps low"
She arose and her eyes filled with
tears. once I'm awhile" she said. II
must have n real meal"
Before he could divine her purpose
the girl had again eluded him, slipping
back from her place into the crowd.
%Necklessly the curate followed, the
%tormcnting enlgmn must be solved I;
but she was not IN sight when he
renched the street. Banled there In
the darkness he told himself he was a
fool for his palms, yet In this very line
his duty lay. II VAS Il chance hope
which took him next dny to the same
department store, and his usually
even heart seemed to cease beatlng rs
she again came toward him. Above the