Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-11
DAILY NOVELETTE,
UNDER LOCKDALE
ELMS
BY Christine Hayes

T OCKDALE foliage never seems to
get dusty as foliage elsewhere has
a way of doing. Even in August the
elms that shade Arbor street are fresh
and cool and green. In June -!
Under these elms one June morning
Phineas Pike took his leisurely way
toward the office of the Lockdale News.
Although Phineas was editor, manager
and proprietor of the News, still his
way was leisurely. In Lockdale all
ways arc.
Phineas was bachelor, a gentle
soul, inclined to stoutness, with round.
pleasant features and round, thick
spectaclcs. As he went he philosophical
a little, mildly. Curious, mused
Phineas. what an accurate index to
character side porches were. Take that
one. 1t belonged to the Farnsworth
girls, Minnie and Agge. Guiltless of
footprint or furnishing, it seemed in
its meagerness, in its immaculate aus
terity. to typify Minnie and Aggie.
Now that one over there belonged TO
the Hillsons. Fluffy little Mrs. Hillson
had converted it into sort of sun
room, screened it in. with plants,
chairs, magazines and a tea table.
The Ladd porch was given over to
business. Slas Ladd was a milkman
and on his shady, screened in side porch
he KEPT only jars of milk.
This one belonged to plump little
Widow Monroe. A pink rose clambered
up beside it. Small il was. but clean
scrubbed and always sunny. 1t was
significant that although the widow had
no dog of her own. there was always a
dog on that porch. stretched out in the
sun, sometimes one dog, sometimes an
other. but always with an air of at =
homencss that Phincas found very
droll This morning it was large
rather ragged Newfoundland that
brought poignant memories of Petey.
Petey belonged to the days when the
Widow Monroe had been jamie Starrett
and Phincas had treasured hopes of
her becoming jamie Pike. With the
coming of prosperous John Monroe his
slender stock of courage dwindled and
his hopes vanished away, so that the
Monroe victory had been an easy one
John Monroe had never liked dogs. On
one occasion, Phineas remembered with
q good deal of pleasure. Peter had bit
ten him.
As the editor reached the Monroe
~.
the house. her arms full of roses from
the garden.
"Why, Phineas," she called. "you're
just the person | want to see"
Phineas swept off his hat in courtly
though somewhat conscious acknowledg
ment. lie could feel the back of his neck
getting red in that abominable way il
had whenever he met Mrs. Monroe.
I've lost my sapphire brooch" con
tinued the widow. 1.-The one that wos
Great great grandmother Wcfrirfrath's s.
Perhaps you remember, it Phincas."
Phineas remembered it very clearly.
He had stared desperately at Janic's
sapphire pin on occasions when it might
have been better if he had looked into
Janic's sapphire eyes.
And I'd like to put an ad for it in
the News.
The editor promised to attend to the
matter, and with cordial smile and a
thank you,' Mrs. Monroe's plump fig
ure disappeared within the screen door
And Immediately there popped int,
rhineass head an idea of such daring
and initiative that he hardly recognized
it as his own.
Two O'Clock that afternoon found him
in Woodmont consulting with his friend
Lon Davis. the jeweler.
Lon whistled Talk about luck -
he erowed. 1.-Two years ago when tina,
pin was here for repairs a patron nj
ours took II fancy to it, and-weU, W,
moi with hu.ina.. reyersoo th;s rn"" anI W
l