The Washington times., 1919-02-23
CHAPTER TWENTY
By Mrs. Louella Littlepage

Madeline bTeathlessly raised the re-
ceiver to her ear.
The operator informed her that
Lieutenant Kimball was not to be
found and added that the clerk had
seen him leave the hotel some time
before with a lady.
Despair seized Madeline's heart, but
her courageous spirit would not give
way. Her pride brought the color to her
cheeks and the sparkle to her eyes,
and IL was a very beautiful girl who
emerged from the elevator a few mo-
ments later almost into the arms OF
Major Knowles.
His admiring look deepened the
color already glowing in her cheeks,
and when he asked regretfully il she
had an engagement, she gayly re-
out to look for an adventure. The
major laughed heartily and ex-
claimed: my dear Miss Connor, If
further adventure lures thy soul, per
NIT thy slave to accompany thee" He
proposed a trip to the Zoo, and after
leaving a message at the desk for
Captain Henderson, tenderly escorted
Madeline to his Limousine.
It was a glorious afternoon. and
wind and sun beckoned toward the
country. He remembered a hill where
shyly from its winter covering Of
leaves, and his heart-beats quickened
at the thought Of the glad apprecia-
tion which he know would gIorify
MadeIine's cheek at the sight of wild
wood beauty. But the enemy was too
resourcefuL Better stick to the
crowded places. The natural beauty
of Rock Creek Park, the birds and wild
furry creatures would delight her be-
yond measure, and the place would be
crowded with visitors and guards.
As the big car sped toward the
park, Madeline's spirits rose, and as
distinguished men and beautiful wo-
men IN the passing cars cordially
greeted the handsome major. she was
almost happy again. And when
knowles leaned over and whispered,
Your beautiful face in this sunlight
has gone to my head" she wondered
that her heart could be so thrilled.
Madeline had left Colorado with an
awe of the East in her soul. The
efTete East" she heard il called,
whatever that meant. To her it had
meant land OF cultured, blase, su-
peTior beings. worn out with adven-
ture, through with daring, Clothes
would be exquisite, although plain,
and the people would be highly edu-
c&ted. ultra refined, living in well or
dered, quiet communities on a plane
above anything to be found in the
big. bluff mountain country that she
called home.
Instead. her experience since reach
ing Washington made the early his
tory OF Western mining camps look
like a Sunday school picnic To her
whirIing brain il had ben a kaleid-
oscope where horror and heavenly
glimpses OF happiness were combined
in fascinating and ever changing
patterns.
They entered the west gate and.
Rlighting from the car. visited first
one enclosure and then another,
where Madeline. with delighted eN-
clamations and coaEing wiIes. pressed
close to the wire fences which barred
the animals from freedom. Her over
lures were received with indiffer-
ence. suspicion, and timid curiosity. |
according to the nature of the pTis-
oners, and Knowles was transported |
to the heights OF happiness as he |
noted how the cares Of the past few
days slipped from her young shoul- !
ders and their horrors were forgotten !
as she passed from one cage to an |
other.
She stayed long at the aviary and !
passed on at last with many a Iinger- |
ing look. She stood fascinated be-
fore the seals lunging along the rocks |
and begging their keeper for food, /
and laughed delightedly at the ma
joT's story ~ a yoUnster who visited |