Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1919-10-02
After the Years
b oTllLlA FRANCES PFEIFFER
tcop,r.sA.. 1919. ), Western N.v.p.p.r Union


"You are troubled" he spoke in
stantly. what is it. young LADY,"
Elva Merrill turned her gaze upon
the speaker and burst into tears. "Oh.
sir" she breathed. gasp.ngly. my
ticket! was getting ready for the
conductor and for only an instant
placed it on the window sill. The
wind took 1t and-oh! what shall l
doY"
"Where were you going?' inquired
Mr.. Hope.
The reply named point in South
ern California, and added the further
information that she had no money of
consequence and had given up II posi-
ton she had held in town fifty miles
from Denver. "What can l dog" she
faltered. '"The ticket is gone, l have
no home. no friend nearer than my
destination"
1--WE shall arrange that" spoke Mar
win Hope. Just try and be calm. l
viii speak to the conductor" and,
moved by an impulse his generous ma
ture could not resist, he went to the
conductor, spoke to him for some min
utes and then returned to the side Of
Elva. ut is all settled" he said, with
great deal Of cheerfulness in his
tone. "At the next station the conduc-
tor, by my desire, will secure a
through ticket for YOU"
But cannot pay for It," remon-
strated Elva.
Not now, perhaps, but possibly Ia
ter. Listen, young lady. am bound
for the same destination as Yourself
You will tell me your story, and we
shall try to discover some way to
make you feel free to accept tenn
porary loan from a lonely old man
who is glad to aid anybody in dis
tress."
Indeed, can reimburse you!" de-
clared Elva, fervert'y my friend at
San Druro is ME- Honoria Purcell.
was her compa.. u two years ago,
but she was very l..rd to get along
with and / sought other employment.
Last week she wrote to me offering a
two years contract and is seemingly
anxious to have me accept. am sure
she will advance me sufficient to repay
you"
II am sure of that, too," replied Mr..
Hope in his gentle, reassuring way,
FOR Mrs. Purcell Is wealthy woman
whom l know quite well. And your
name, young lady?"
ut Is Elva Merrill Marvin Hope
gave violent start. 1t was well that
Elva had her gaze averted at that mo
ment, else she would have been
amazed, possibly alarmed, at the
manifest emotion Of her benefactor
He seemed to experience difficulty in
restraining an impulse to seize her
hands, or fold her in his arms, pouring
forth wild torrent of words of glad.
ness and joy crowding to his trembling
lips. He recovered his self-possession
as Elva exhibited the letter from Mrs
Purcell. He listened breathlessly to
the story of her life; bereft Of moth
er, her only near relative, two years
previous, and later trials attending the
earning of her own living.
"Were there none other of neal
kim" he asked. mo dear friends? p
Elva shook her head sadly.
From that point until the end Of the
journey Marvin Hope exercised a ia
therly care for the homeless girl, thai
every hour increased her confidence Ii
him. When they reached San Drurt
his automobile and chauffeur were il
evidence. When the machine stopped
1t was before beautiful mansion set IL
the midst of an exquisite garden. Elvs
supposed this to be the residence O
Mrs. Purcell.
'Home!" Marvin Hope announced
as they were met in the hall by {
motherly hOusekeeper-'my home, ant
yours! My DEAR gave you Fictitious
name, for purpose. I am your incl,
} your mothers brother, Marvin Hop
. and l was just disappointedly re
turning from a vain search for you a
your former home. I found no trac
and you can imagine the sorrow of ,
lonely old man who awoke at last t,
longing hunger for the company o
, his own flesh and blood. You will no
go to Mrs Purcell. You will remain
here, my own adopted child, until 20,
marry"
, u shall never marry" spoke Five
and her fair face fell.
"What! Not even If Rodney Partol
). comes after your"
\ Rodney Parton!" breathed Elvs
"YOu know Of him?"
MY DEAR" replied Mr.. Hope
searching for you found him ais
upon the same quest. You had let
your old home, never dreaming no,
he loved you. Well, l telegraphed hir
en- route that had found you, and
is probably now speeding on his wa
to lay his heart at your feet. Thl
shall be his home, as well as your
and mine"
And, her arms about the neck c
this grand benefactor, Elva Merri
sobbed out the JOY and gladness tn;
was yelling up within her happy sou