Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-09-18


a picture, but pitifully poor and OBJ
scure, was dreamer. Not that she
did not do her share IN the practical,
realities of life, but in the absence of
the glamor OF money, friends and va
riety she built up fabric out of pure
moonshine, romanticism and mystery.
Effie did not believe that the days
of chivalry and fairy godmothers had
entirely departed. only that destiny
had not come her way. She and her
younger brother Nat were motherless
when her father died. His health had
broken down and he found himself
able TO work only half OF the time.
They lived In two rooms In house
owned by Mrs. Porter, who rented
out its apartments. After the funeral
Of Mr.. Lowther, the kind-hearted land
lady Interested herself I'm the children
sufficiently TO enable them To live
comfortably until they were a little
older.
you can remain in the TWO rooms"
she told them for | shall make the
rent only eight dollars month.
am sure Nat can get position as
messenger boy for a telegraph com
pany."
But want to work too" an
nounced Fife.
you shall, dear" agreed Mrs. Por-
ter. Until you can look around
will allow you four dollars a week 10
help me take care Of the rooms. That
will give you plenty of time 10 read
and study between whileS and | will
take pride and pleasure in selecting
books that will he OF education and
benefit 70 you"
And then as the fear Of poverty
dimmed and Independence took It's
place, brother and sister began to
plan for broader life experience.
Effie was quite young lady. Nat
saw advancement ahead and they led
a contented and hopeful existence.
Then common. everyday incl
dent transpired that at first shocked
Efie and then aroused her TO finish
up an exciting episode. IL was an
nounced Just al dusk one evening by
the appearance of II policeman assist
ing Nat. limping and wincing with
pain. into the neat little room where
Efhe had nice warm supper all
ready waiting for her brother.
Eel under truck and foot
smashed" reported the officer az ne
placed Nat on "a coach. Drug store
l it
broken, but the lad won't get around
for week"
"Oh. Nat. dear Are you hurt
dreadfully?" began Ellie, but Nat
waved her to silence. See here. Sis, y
he spoke rapidly. never mind about
me. I'm all right. Now don't you
lose one minute. was on a rush spe
/ cia when ! tumbled. Here" and hs
drew an envelope from his pocket
and here" and he extended a five
dollar bank note. Take EN- quick
and get TO the addresses on the en-
and instructions as per sender 10 Ne
liver posthaste You know I've got
the Al record al the office, and
want 10 keep IT, Spare no expense
There's three addresses 10 go to-of
flee. club and home-See? Take Ell
in orderly"
Eftie was too intelligent and too IA
miliar with the messenger routine
from what Nat had told her. not e
comprehend what was expected from
her She hailed the first taxicab SHE
came TO. First the office address
closed. The club-Mr. Albion Ware
had not been there since the dal
previous The residence address,
was handsome mansion and Efii'
peremptorily rang the doorbel. II
brought u servant who led her into
handsomely furnished library wher
sat handsome, clear-eyed young maj
and young lady, apparently his sis
ter
Ellie was excited and fairly breath
less. as she rendered the envelope
ITS for Albion the man said 10 hi
companion. 1T must be important.
He opened 1t, grew animated and ok
cited and hurried 10 "A telephone. Thu
young lady motioned Efiie 10 chat
with a pleasant smile. Then was Al
lence in the room except for over
dozen calls Ia rs many places in sue
cesson. The sender seemed franti
10 locate MIR Albion Ward. evident.
his brother. At last he seemed 4
succeed.
drop everything; come home a
once" Efiie heard him say. "Yes. ~
wire from Bartly and IL means
hundred thousand dollars II you re
in touch with him 10y midnight. Youni
lady and he turned with brightene'
eyes and bated .breath 10 Ellie
"ten minutes later and my brothe
would have been speeding West on
train. leaving the fortune of his III
behind him" And then Sylvi,
Ward and her brother. Leslie. hear'
how girl came 10 be acting rs
messenger as Ellie told her story
Miss Ward insisted on providing
lunch for The pucky girl who hn'
saved the day. aud after that LeSll
Ward took Ellie home in his own an
tomohile.
lie treated her So courteouSly AM
evinced SO much more than friendl
interest. that Ellie wondered If IN
prince charming she had 50 Otter
dreamed of had come into her life
She knew IL month later when afte