Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-04-05


l do not mean to be rude, but l want
to Identify you, as your name is I'M
familiar. lost a 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 a little
smile about her lips as she replied:
"The years have effaced the scar,
Mr.. Henderson, II It is that you have
In mind"
"Thank heaven If there is no trace
Of It. I have always been afraid
dlsfgured you for life. But without
1t how am to know that you are
really your
"Am I so greatly changed"
you have heard of the duckling
and the swami"
"Surely It was not as bad as that,
but now that you mention 1t recall
that you named me 'duckling.'" She
laughed. II have been wondering how
long It would take you to remember
me and when entered the room I had
reached the moment when l despaired
Of telepathy. Mr.. Henderson, l must
have made Of your life burden. Boys
do not always care for alteration. and
adored YOU"
ut developes chivalry In the right
sort of a fellow" he answered thought
fully, as he watched her. II have
often wondered what became of you;
why you should have dropped 80 ut
terly from out my life. was bewll-
dered when I 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 fibres Of
my being. The duckling was lovable.
missed her and l 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 q covenant with myself; to
find you. never thought Of you as
grown up. II was always as my little
sweetheart, which Of course was fool
ish."
why, of course" she asked sedate-
ly. Don't you think child can re-
tain a memoryr She unplnned the
watch hanging upon her breast, open
ed It and held II so that he could see
two little birds drawn upon a scrap Of
paper.
IT can match that" He snapped his
own open showing two hearts pierced
by a 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
a slip OF paper fell so that line Of
writing was visible.
Blair Henderson stopped, his color
ilblhB uo hC PANhCu uP lhC
"Why did you say that you had for
gotten2" he asked "Dld you believe
the boy could know what he wanted
and not desire 1t as a manT He
looked at the tiny ring set with fur
quoise forget-me-nots; the scrap Of
paper upon which was written to my
Wife "Was that the reason2"
"Why should remember anything
when for four weeks l have been
guest In your home and you did not
recognize me?"
'That Is over and done with.
understand your change Of name. Are
you going to play with me or win you
be honest and give me the chance to
show you the man Is as earnest as the
boy once was2"
II think, Blair, the difference be-
tween the man and the boy is only a
matter Of years. He seems about the
same to me-"
"And the girl7 Has she changedP"
when her father died she was
adopted by a 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 cllngs to them. cannot play
with you, Blair. I am happy In the
thought that boy and man are OF the
same mind, and II the little ring was
not so small would be wearing 1t
now"
THAT Is a fault easily remedled," he
returned, as he drew her to him. "YOu
must let me have the measure OF your
anUarO