Graham guardian., 1919-08-08
"WEB OF GOLD"
BY IDA w. GOULD.


"Try this man on the phone, iOr ms
full name, will yOu?"
The young woman took the receiver
and informed the man at the other end
of the line that the business firm of
s. & Co. requested his full nautS.
She explained that the information VAS
necessary, as the firm would soon puJ-
lish list of beneticinries, etc.
A. b D; get itT
"Pleuse spell the middle npue."
"B---."
Thanks; please give me the date of
your BIRTH"
A ghost of satirical laugh ema-
mated from the receiver.
"Why, I'll have to look II up, madam.
It's Oh the spoon given by a fond
aunt, and I've misplaced them both.
Sorry. Goodby.'
Rapidly turning the pages of who's
Who in America she found D,
A. b.; b. III; author OF "rhe
Web of Gold"
Annoyances encompassed D
that day. The office boy went to a
game. His stenographer went home
early, Ill. The Ice man forgot to, ill
the ice box. So the author of the best
seller closed his Office early and sought
diversion at a cafe.
Some days later he decided to re-
visit NJ. 1t was five years since
his last visit to the rambling old
house embowered in trees. II was un-
der new management, and an impulse
seized D. to assume the name OF
Adam b. l.. His name was quite
/ fresh In the minds Of novel readers.
so, as he had gone there to recuper.
ate, he felt quite justified In practic.
ing the small deception. The village
was so far inland that the chances OF
detection were slight.
He abandoned himself the next week
to outdoor life, fishing, tramping
through woods filled with pines where
he laid himself on the fragrant earth
and dreamed of plots and heroines for
his next good seller.
At table he met an elderly lady, en-
| gagged to chaperon group OF young
| ladies'. She had come in advance to
arrange for their stay. On the day OF
their expected arrival Mfr. A. B..
T. purposely absented himself,
| tramping six miles to nearby noun
tain, where, at the only house, he ate
gladly the food offered him. Pushing
on to the, mountains top, he found him
self in the direct path of terrible
storm.
He resumed the descent, slipping
and stumbling. BY the time he had
covered the six miles to the village he
was aware that II was long past mid
day. Il saw to his dismay that
a group Of girls blocked his entrance
at the front porch. Before he could
decide whether to march boldly past
| them, a vibrant voice called: "Go
round the back way, man; the land
lord will give you something to eat"
He knew he must look bedraggled, but
| he did not like to think he resembled
| the genus tramp. He heard their
laughter as he hurried to the side door
and escaped up the back stairs.
The elderly chaperon was on hand
to Introduce him. After several days
association the little party dropped
easily into the habit of after-dinner
discussions. One evening the talk was
Of books.
Miss B, the same young Indy
who weeks before had interrOgated
D, seemed to be the most active
in discussing books.
In vain the author racked his mem
ory for suggestion as to why her
voice reminded him Of another voice.
"Mr. L, tell us what you think
Of The Web of Cold"
"T have reason to think highly of the
book, and ] know 1t has proved a
small gold mine to the writer"
Really Then you know himT
chorused the others.
"He is my best friend. spend more
time with him than with any other
man."
HAS he red hair and does he wear
red tiest"
mo; nor rings on his toes" said
o dryly. "Whyr'>
Because I asked him (for the In
.urance people) to tell us when he was
,orn. He evaded me with the silliest
answer. I'm on SPOON said he, but
can't find 1t just now"
'T think he affects oddity." said the
elderly lady. drop The Web Of
Sold and come In for a game of
,ridge, everybody"
Our author returned from a tramp
,ne afternoon and discovered Miss
S. alone, reading "The Web Of
5oid."
"The same book, Miss B-----f You
MUST discover a fresh charm. May I
isk what It is?'
"Thls is one. Shall read ltf'
"Please."
"A truly lovely sentiment" said the
sri. coloring under the mans steady
saye. "But III wager the author tev-
n fell in love with pink-nnd-white
jenuty."
"Contrariwise, he has" replied
D.. "But he has never felt sure
Until now that ne might tell her So"
"You mean---" stammered Miss
5----. dropping the book and half
| isinr