The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-05-17

do not mean to be rude, but l want
to Identify you, as your name ID un-
familiar. ! lost 4 very dear friend
years ago. have looked for her but
have not found her. Today Blair
tells me she may have been In my
home for weeks past"
From the depths Of her chair she
looked up at him. There was little
smile about her lips as she replied:
THE years have effaced the scar
Mr.. Henderson, II 1t Is that you have
| In mind"
THANK heaven II there Is no trace
| Of It, ! have always been afraid l
dstigured you for life. But without
1t how am to know that you are
really your
"Am | so greatly changed?"
you have heard of the duckling
and the swami"
surely 1t was not as bad rs that
| but now chat you mention it | recall
that yon named me 'duckling.'" She
laughed. II have been wondering how
long II would take you to remember
me and when ! entered the room | had
reached the moment when | despaired
of telepathy. Mr.. Henderson. | must
have made Of your life burden. Boys
do not always care for alteration. and
adOred you
1T developes chivalry In the right
| sort of fellow" he answered thought
| fully, as he watched her. II have
| often wondered what became OF you
why you should have dropped so ut
terry from out my life. ! was bewil-
dered when | found you gone. | had
| been so long accustomed to alteration
that 1t was hard to adjust myself to
the colder attitude Of those about me.
You had grown into the very fbres OF
my being, The duckling was lovable.
| missed her and ! missed the care
took of her, although the scars did. not
attest to 1t. | wanted to die when
saw you lying in the snow with the
blood running down your face"
He smiled at the remembrance. mo
one seemed to know where your father
went after your mothers death. But
| made covenant with myself to
grown up. 1t was always as my little
sweetheart, which Of course was fool
| ish"
"Why, of course" she asked sedate
| ly Don't you think a child can re-
| tain a memory?' She unpinned the
watch hanging upon her breast, open
| ed 1t and held 1t so that he could see
a .,F
| paper.
II can match that" He snapped his
own open showing two hearts pierced
| by dart. But there was something
else" He was showing more of ear
nestness than the occasion seemed to
| demand.
The girl colored. II have forgotten"
"Your pardon. but think not"
She still held her watch, but as he
spoke 1t fell from her fingers. Some
thing bright rolled away from 1t and
slip of paper fell so that line of
writing was visible.
Blair Henderson stopped, his color
rising as he picked up the trifies
"Why did you say that you had for
| gotten?" he asked. "Dld you believe
| the boy could know what he wanted
| and not desire it as MANI" He
looked at the tiny ring set with tur-
| quoise forgetme-nots the scrap Of
paper upon which was written to my
Wife WAS that the reason?"
"Why should l remember anything
when for four weeks I have been
guest In your home and you did not
recognize me?"
THAT Is over and done with. |
know you now, although I yet do not
understand your change of name. Are
you going to play with me or will you
he honest and give me the chance to
show you the man is as earnest as the
boy once WASP"
II think, Blair. the difference be-
tween the man and the boy is only
| matter of years. He seems about the
same to me-"
"And the girl? Has she changed?"
"When her father died she was
adopted by very dear aunt and took
| her name. The years made great
| difference in appearance. but other
wise she did not alter. Old memories
were too precious to part with and she
| still clings TO them. I cannot play
with YOU, Blair. l am happy In the
thought that boy and man are of the
same mind, and If the little ring was
not so small would be wearing 1t
now"
THAT Is fault easily remedled," he
returned. as he drew her to him. "You