Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-12-04
73Se
cMagic Wand
By ALDEN CHAPMAN


Copyright. 1919. by the western Ns"'
paper Union.)
AS n summer boarder Marcus Dale
was general favorite. He was about
twenty five years of age and rather
pale and delicate looking, but that
the Mortons understood, was due to
nervous breakdown from oyerstudy
"They say he is going to become
great lawyer and is very rich, Mrs
Morton told her nearest neighbor'
Wanda Bruce.
Wanda had noticed the young man
when ne arrived. He took to the Nor
ton children. and these latter invited
over the Bruce brood of 1--WE, who came
back TO Wanda with marvellous stories.
Honest. Wanda" declared her
brother Willis, "he made balloon out
OF tissue paper that went clean up out
OF sight 80
Yes" added little Idalia, excitediy.
"and he'll go up TO tree ana say,
Give me some chocolates. Mr.. Tree
and they'll fall right of into his hand.
And he picks gum drops OF OF
DlhtkhfIIf bushTNs
eyed little Martha.
Wanda smiled, pleased and adlniring
this stranger who was willing to de-
vote his time to entertaining The emil
dren. II showed a good. KIND heart
and one da. when this amateur magi-
clan and lover of children came dash
ing through dOwnpOur OF rain, III
r.
tie one in each arm, Wanda saw MIN
close at hand for the hrst time ana
realized how manly and handsome ne
was.
After that. Marcus Dale divided his
limo between the two houses. Wanda
hoped that with the garnering OF the
crops her father would see his way
clear 10 provide her with new pretty
summer suit IKE Alma Trevor wore
There was spice Of Jealous rivalry IN
this conception, for Alma had made
determined set at the handsome stran-
| yer although he did not seek particu-
| larly 10 notice her.
| al am anxious 70 have you do some
thing for me, Miss Bruce" spoke Dale
one day. IL have always dabbled In
an smateurish way with so-caileo
magic and my ordinary tricks or leger-
demain have so fascinated the iittle
ones that I have sent 10 the cry TOT
my nerIor outfit in that line. and
want YOU 10 gather IN all the juveniles
in reach and give them party.
will provide for the ice cream and the
like and we will try 70 give the rot'
the time Of their lives
Wanda liked that we and dillgeh'
lv carried ont her part OF the program
Some older folks came TO the enter
tainment and were as pleased AK th
little ones. Dale made quite pro
gram with his magic wand. He iure'
, numherless rabbits from An empt
bag. made cake in silk hat t"uh
dozen eggs In the clothing OF ltl'
, Willis turned a stick OF frewood int
a hewildering pot Of roses. and caugn
shower OF bright. pretty toys, appa'
emily falling through the mir from NJ
where.
= Little willis got possession OF IN
= magic wand later. and amused ihe'
all nv trying TO bring SweetmeatS FRO
: trees and doves from all KINDS
= nlaceS II WAS about week lat'
" when Wanda $ father, who had drive
' to the county seat on business r
= turned. bringing into the house Ion
" deem paSteboard box He had plck'
y il up ON the road where II had doul
- loss fallen from some touring autom
bile
u" you take charge OF IL, Wanda.
u said at seems TO be some KIND
~ feminine fummery :" in which he W
~ correct for when Wanda opened [
- box there was revealed 'oIllp''
>" bridal trousseau. She sighed as
- wondered If the time would col
w. when she could glow and gladden. ON
H. like 6nery Of her own. Mr.. Bruce
IN sent word to the county seai ~
era md doubted not hat tn owr
of the box would sooner or later
pear
M one afternoon all the folks had 20
're away from the house except niue
mr. lis and Wanda Willis was anus
its himself with ribbon-decorated VA
mt Dola had made for him. Wanda
ter given way to temptation she ."
mn NOT resist. She had brought the tro
sly scum ou,til down 10 the sitting rot
lcy whore there was large mirror,
in donned the attire and was survey
fu- herself Al full length when. unnou
~ nv her. Mr.. Dale came into the hal
int .Why. hello. willis" he hailed.
for his usual genial way. "All aloneF
me working away with the msgic wa
be I'm afraid have put lot OF nonse
AT in that bright little head OF yours
, of II tapped the chicken COOP WIZ
you this morning" Wanted Willis. 90
the ,..,r rats ran out. See me App'
'ier .npesr" shouted the little ~
Tor mancer. slspping the door win
wand and repeating the summons
had heard Dale employ when cor
,ug material presentations from
nlaces oh see--it's fairy :"
As the door went open there was
a., blushing. beautiful Wanda, Il
- IN caught In the wiles of her folly.
Z lovelIness exaggerated, the da
,.nities Of dress and decoration r
nepd electrified Dale.
willis. my boy" he said. viii
,ong emotion that thrilled wanda
have evoked the most beautiful