Alma record., 1919-08-21
"Rushp
~o
By CEClLLE LANGDON


Efhe Lowther, eighteen, pretty as
a picture, but pitlfully poor and OBJ
scure, was dreamer. Not that she
did not do her share I'm the practical
realities of life, but in the absence of
the glamor of money. friends and va
riety she built up "A 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 10 work only half Of the time.
They lived in two rooms in a house
owned by a Mrs. Porter, who rented
out its apartments. After the funeral
Of Mr.. Lowther. the kind-hearted land
lady interested herself in the children
sufficiently 10 enable them TO live
comfortably until they were a little
older.
you can remain in the two rooms"
she told them. "for l shall make the
rent only eight dollars month.
mn sure Nat can get a position as
messenger boy for q telegraph COM
pany."
"But / want TO work, too" an
nounced Effie.
You shall. dear" agreed Mrs. Por-
ter. Until you can look around
a.
help me take care Of the rooms. That
will give you plenty Of time TO read
and study between whlles and I will
take pride and pleasure In selecting
books that will be OF education and
benefit TO you
And then as the fear of poverty
dimmed and independence took its
place, brother and sister began 10
plan for broader life experience.
Effie was quite q young lady. Nat
saw advancement ahead and they led
contented and hopeful existence.
Then common, everyday Incl
dent transpired that at first shocked
Efiie and then aroused her 10 finish
up an exciting episode. II was an
nounced just at dusk one evening by
the appearance of "a policeman assist
ing Nat, limping and wincing with
pain, into the neat little room where
Enie had nice warm supper all
ready waiting for her brother.
Eel under truck and foot
smashed" reported the officer, as he
placed Nat on u coach. Drug store
man bound it up and says no bones
%oken, bpt-the leG'SN9p,t get around d
for a week"
"Oh, Nat dearl Are you hurt
dreadfully?' began Ellie, but Nat
waved her 10 silence. "See here, Sis"
he spoke rapidly. never mind about
me. I'm all right. Now don't you
lose one minute | was on rush spe-
cial when | tumbed. Here" and he
drew an envelope from his pocket,
and here" and he extended five
dollar bank note. Take 'em. quick,
and get 10 the addresses on the en-
velope. The boss gave me the money
and instructions as per sender to lie
liver posthaste. You know I've got
the Al record at the office, and ]
want 10 keep II. Spare no expense.
There's three addresses TO go to-Of-
fee. club and home-see? Take 'em
in orderly ~
Efie was too intelligent and too IA
miliar with the messenger routine
from what Nat had told her, not 70
| comprehend what was expected from
her. She hailed the first taxicab she
came to- First the office address
closed. The club-Mr. Albion Ward
had not been there since the day
previous The residence address-it
was handsome mansion and Effie
peremptorily rang the doorbell. Ii
/ brought n servant. who led her into n
handsomely furnished library where
sat handsome. clear-eyed young man
and a young lady, apparently his sis
! ter.
Efie was excited and fairly breath
less, as she rendered the envelope.
IT'S for Albion" the man said 10 his
companion. 1T must be important.
He opened it. grew animated and ex-
cited and hurried To IA telephone. The
young lady motioncd Eflie 10 Il chair
with a pleasant smile. Then was 81
lence i'm the room except for over "A
dozen calls Ia as many places in sue
cession. The sender seemed frantic
to locate Mr.. Albion Ward. evidently
his brother. At last he seemed 10
succeed.
Drop everything; come home at
once" Efiie heard him say. Eyes, IT'S
wire from Bartly and ii means a
hundred thousand dollars IL you get
In touch with him by midnight. Young
lady" and he turned with frightened
eyes and bated breath TO Eflie,
"ten minutes later and my brother
would have been speeding West on n
train. leaving the fortune of his life
behind him" And then Sylvia
Ward and her brother, Leslie. heard
how girl came 10 be acting as a
messenger as Efiie told her story.
Miss Ward insisted on providing n
lunch for the plucky girl who had
saved the day, and after that Leslie
Ward took Effie home in his own au-
tomobile.
lie treated her so courteously and
evinced so much more than friendly
interest that Effie wondered IL the