Evening star., 1918-08-11

sack half the photograph studios in
town. About how old do you think
this picture is?"
"old enough to give you trouble.
But that you're used to. What we
want to know-what we must know
is this: The name OF the man who has
incurred madame's enmity to such de-
gree that she spends the small hours
of the night In knocking out his fea-
lures from flfteen-year-old photo
of public man, rich or otherwise.
we might consistently lay 1t to social
hatred: but If. on the contrary. 1t
turns out to be that of a private In
dividual-well. In that case. 1 shall
have a task for you which may call
for little of that assurance of which
we have just acknowledged you
possess a limited share"
That evening, just at dusk. taxicab
which had been wandering up and
down a well kept block In S7th street
stopped suddenly In front of a cer-
He seemed very feeble and leaned
heavily on his cane while crossing the
sidewalk toward the store. But his
face was kindly, and his whole aspect
that of one who takes the ills of life
without bitterness or complaint.
steps are journey to one who has
to balance himself carefully with
every one,-he slipped or stumbled,
and his cane flew out of his hand.
Happily-because he seemed unable to
reach 1t himself-a young girl just
emerging from the drug store saw his
plight and STOPPING for the stick.
handed 1t to him. He received 1t with
a smile, and while it was yet in both
Of their hands. said in the most
matter-of-fact way in the world:
Thank you, little Miss Duclos."
Then suddenly: where's your aunt?"
She did not stop to think. She did
not stop to ask herself what this
question meant or whether this old
gen c nan who seemed to know SO
muc about her and the familys
scett had right to ask 1t. but
Ire Of nothing else to do. She's
c." and then started to run away.
,me back. little one." His tone
very imperative. but for all that
Of :. nature to win upon a frightened
c Id. II know she's gone" he added
ing. And I'm sorry, for have Gome-
thing for her. l recognized you the
moment you stepped out OF the store;
but see that you don't remember me.
But why should you? Little girls
don't remember old men,
Again that benevolent smile as he
poked about In one of his pockets and
finally drew out little parcel which
he held out toward her.
This belongs to your aunt. See. 1t
has her name on 1t, Madame Antoin-
ette Duclos. 1t came to the lodging
house In 63d street just after she left,
and 1 was asked to bring 1t to her.
I was going to your house as soon as
i had done my little errand at this
store, but now that l have met you,
i Will ask you to see that she gets it."
The girl looked down at the parcel.
then up at him. and reaching out her
hand, took 1t.
His old heart, which had almost stop
ped, beat again naturally and with re-
newed strength. He was on the cor
rect trail. When Mrs. Duclos and the
rest of them had said that they knew
try but themselves, 1t was because the
madame of the Hotel Universal was of
their family--the widow of their
brother. as this child's acknowledge
ment showed
He was turning back to his taxi
much, took a step toward him and
said:
II don't know where to find my
aunt. She didn't tell us where she
was going; and-and 1 had rather not
take this parcel back with me.
Nettie; and-and l don't believe Aunt
Nettie would care to have this now.
Won't-won't you forget about it. sir,
II promise to tell her some day that
1t was brought back and 1 wouldn't
take it?"
Mr. Gryce felt qualm of con-
science. The child really was too
simple to be made game Of. Besides,
he felt sure that she had spoken the
truth. so-far as she herself was con-
cerned. She didn't know where her
erratic aunt had gone; and any fur
ther questioning would only frighten
her without winning him the knowl-
edge he sought. He therefore took
the parcel back. said some soothing
words and made his way across the
walk to his taxi. But the number he
gave the chauffeur was that of the
house where this little girl lived.
He arrived there first. To him,
waiting In the parlor and very near
the window, her shrinking little
figure looked pathetic enough, as
glancing in at the taxi, and finding
4 pmntv uho ronItya1 x,ha ,,,tun.