Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-02-11
MISSION ENIGMA
BY MILDRED WHITE.
(Copyrlght. -lsl7. Western Newspaper INC

AOAS supper idDIe- sue WIS III SbAiS
indefinable way, different from the
throng of girls who waited smilingly
chattering together for the evenings
free meal"
The keen eyes of Reverend Philip
noted the neatness of her worn little
blue suit, the unmistakable ''air"
about the simple turban. What was
she doing here? The girls wide eyes
seemed to join him in the question as
they wandered inquiringly about the
room.
81 have been interested in you" his
frank, pleasant voice addressed her,
"and wondered if l might be of any
service. Though the offer may seem
q presuming one, you may realize that
IT is only those in need who accept
our hospitality"
The girl hesitated, then her clear
gaze met his. Thanks" she replied,
my need, hope, is only temporary"
"You are a stranger?" he asked.
She nodded. 81 come, as you may
suppose, from a country town. +"
she laughed softly, "hope one day to
be a successful writer, but the time is
long in coming. A few accepted mag
azine stories encouraged me, but now"
she paused eloquently-"I wait"
Better go back home" the curate
advised, "the city is not kind to those
who wait"
The girl looked back at him. 81
have no home" she answered simply,
that went-when my father died.
She had gone before he could form
q reply, and all night with troubled
persistency the sweet face haunted
him. As had become his habit, he con.
fided in the morning his concern TO
his mother.
'You may have another opportunity
of speaking to the girl at the next
mission supper" his mother suggested.
IF you do, persuade her to call upon
me-" but she was absent at the follow.
ing Free meal to needy girls"
Philip missed her with a pang, the
eagerness with which he had looked
forward to the meeting was mex.
plicable. 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.
Swaying toward him down the aisle
came a graceful figure. His eye had
barely become aware of the velvet
suit with the luxurious furs, the cost.
ly picture hat deftly placed upon wavy
hair, when, bewildered, he found the
girl of the mission returning his star.
tied gaze from beneath it's tilted brim.
The childish eyes were skilfully dark.
ened like those of an actress, the
cameo paleness touched with rouge.
the lips painted to Cupid's bow.
The curate stood indignant before
her. What" he asked flercely, re
CARELESS, "does all this mean?"
81 will explain tomorrow" she an
swered, "at the free supper" Then
head erect, with her proud sway, she
moved on.
Reverend Philip had no expectation
of seeing her at the supper; what was
her object in deceiying? "a social
worker or investigators Of missions
would not he unused savagely, paint
herself up like q Christmas doll" And
at this point the girl entered, seating
sion table. Compelling hunger was
evidenced in her absorption to her
meal the worn little suit again
clothed her trim figure. Reverend
Philip at last claimed her attention.
"Wen?" he asked briefly.
The girl smiled involuntarily, her
pale face was very beautiful again.
He felt its magnetic power.
"You want" she asked, IAN ex-
PLANTATION of this Mission Cinderella
Well, come, because so far, my writ.
ings cover room rent, but with the
best management the food supply
keeps low"
She arose and her eyes filed with
tears. 'Once In awhile" she said. II
must have real meal"
Before he could divine her purpose
the girl had again eluded him, slipping
back from her place into the crowd.
Recklessly the curate followed, the
tormenting enigma must be solved;
but she was not in sight when he
reached the street. Baffled there in
the darkness he told himself he was a
fool for his palms. yet in this very line
his duty lay. 1t was a chance hope
which took him next day to the same
department store, and his usually
even heart seemed to cease beating as
she again came toward him. Above the
white ermine of her costly cloak the
girls face showed dismay. Reso-
lutely he blocked her pathway.
"Now," he demanded, "the explana-
tion?"
She spoke, glancing about in trepi.
dation. Il had to do something for
money at once" she said. "They call
me 'manikin' here. / display the
latest toilets-every afternoon in the
store. 1t is advertised 1 did not
wish to admit this-to you," she fin
fshed and passed on her way.
Reverend Philip fingered, smile
upon his lips. Il did not wish to adj
NIT ito YOU she had said, her
voice breaking TREMENDOUSLY.
When she came forth in the little
dark suit he claimed her arm posses
sively. You are coming home with
me-" he said; my mother viii find a
way out OF all your perplexities, and
/ want my mother 10 know you"
Nv,.-oHr- <ho srf~Ifc n1-,- l-ew-s