The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-07-31
After the Years
BY OTlLLIA FRANCES PFElFFER
1910. by Western Newspaper UnIon.)

he klHuly Idceu, BFdy-DeuEdeu Olu
man occupying section seven in the
Pullman sleeper gave great start as
a poignant cry echoed through the
coach. lie sought the source Of the
outburst and, at sight Of the white,
despairing face of a modestly attired
young girl, advanced towards her.
Her hands were clasped and her
eyes, affrighted, were fixed past the
open ear window. She sat now like
one turned to stone by some vivid
calamity. She had boarded the train
at Denver Marvin Hope had noted,
and the conductor had just appeared
ut the other end of the car.
you are troubled" he spoke in
stantly. "NNhat IS it, young Lady,"
Elva Merrill turned her gaze upon
the speaker and burst into tears. ooh,
sir" she breathed, gaspingly. my
ticket l was getting ready for the
conductor and for only an instant
placed it on the window sill. The
wind took it and-oh what shall |
do?"
"Where were you going? inquired
Mr.. Hope.
The reply named a point in South
ern California ana added the further
information that she had no money of
consequence and had given up q posi-
ton she had held in a town fifty miles
from Denver. "What can l do?' she
faltered. "The ticket is gone, | have
no home, no friend nearer than my
destinations"
I'VE shall arrange that" spoke Mars
win Hope Just try and be calm. |
will 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 ana then returned to the side of
Elya. ut is all settled" he said, with
a great deal of cheerfuIness in his
tone. AT the next station the conduc-
tor by my desire, will secure
through ticket for you"
"But l cannot pay for it," remon-
stated Elya.
mot now perhaps, but possibly la
ter Listen, young lady. | am bound
for the same destination as yourself.
You will tell me your story. ana we
shall try to discover some way to
make you feel free to- accept a tenn
porary loan from . lonely old man
who is glad to aid anybody in dis
tress."
Indeed, l can reimburse your de-
clarod Elya, fervenuy Only friend at
san Druro is Mrs. Honoria Purcell.
was her companion two years ago,
but she was very hard to get along
with ana | sought other employment.
Last week she wrote to me Offering
two years contract ana is seemingly
anxious TO have me accept. l am sure
she will advance me sufficient to repay
YOU
81 am sure Of that, too, replied Mr..
Hope in his gentle, reassuring way,
'fT Mrs. Purcell is a wealthy woman
whom I know quite well. And your
name young lady?'
at is Elva Merrill" Marvin Hope
gave a violent start 1t was well that
Elva had her gaze ayertcd at that mo-
mcnt, else she would have been
amazed possibly alarmed, at the
manifest emotion of her bcnefactor.
He seemed to experience difficulty i'm
restraining an impulse to seize her
hands, or fold her in his arms, pouring
forth a wild torrent of words of glad
ness and joy crowding to his trembling
lips. lie recovered his selfposscssion
as Elya exhibited the letter from Mrs.
Purcell. He listened breathlessly to
the story of her life; bcreft Of a moth
or, her only near relative, two years
previous, and later trials attending the
earning Of her own living
"Were there none other of near
kim? he asked. mo dear friends?'
Elya shook her head sadly.
From that point until the end Of the
journey Marvin Hop" exercised a IA
thcrly care for the homeless girl, that
every hour increased her confidence in
him. When they reached SAN DrurO
his automobile and chauffeur were in
evidence. When the machine stopped
it was before a beautiful mansion set in
the midst of an exquisite garden. Elya
supposed this to be the residence of
Mrs. Purcell.
"liome!" Marvin Hope announced,
MS they were met in the hall by Il
mothorly housekecpor- "my home, ANA
yours Ny dear gave yGl a fictitious
name, for purpose / ana your uncle
your mothers brother Marvin Hope
and | was just di>appointedly re-
turning from vain search for You at
your former home. ! found no trace
and you can imagine the sorrow Of a
lonely old man who aWolte at last to
a longing hunger for the company Of
his own flesh aud blood. You VIII not
go to Mrs. Purcell You viii remain
here, my own adopted child, until you
marry"
81 shall never marry" spoke Elya,
and her fair face fen.
"What! Not even Il Rodney Parton
comes after your"
Rodney Parton" brcathed Elya.
you know Of him?"
MY dear" replied Mr. Hope.
searching for you 1 found him also
upon the same quest. You had left
your old home, never dreaming how
he loved you. Well, / telegraphed him
en- route that had found you. and lie
is probably now speeding on his way