The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1920-01-03
Y6e
Tuft Hunter
~o
BY
by
AMALIE ELIZABETH COBB
Copyright. 1919. by the Western News
paper Uniou.)


citedly, a small git-edged blank book
and pencil IN her hand, aud with
radiant face SHE gaZed eagerly through
the crowded pallors of that queen eff
Longdale society, Mrs Eunice Bran
dell.
Fright behind the piano, dear" de-
clared the latter. TELL him | sent
you aud Your sweet face will do the
rest" ~ '7t x = 4Hu-
Come, Alma" urged Myra, catch
ing the arm of her companion, Alma
Dysart, and hurryings her forward.
Alma would have drawn back, only
that Myra was close friend Then.
too, Alma was not disiilcliHed TO view
the lion of the ocea sioH' He had been
advertised far and wide among the
group who revoked about its gifted
and exclusive center, Mrs Branded,
Unpopular writer of the day, Horatio
Beiningham. Forthwith Mrru, armed
with the little book, a volume con-
tanning the signatures of numerous
social and literary notables, hurried
along gsi4t SO sl..
"rhe tuft hunter" pretty, impetuous
Myra was very generally designated.
In truth MyIu cherished her auto
graph album as might q schOolbOy a
rare coin or stamp collection.
Alma was of Il tmid, retiring ma
ture, the precise opposite of Myra,
but to a certain degree she could
share in the artlor of her friend. She,
too, had her favcrites in the higher
realms of literature, art and music.
kIery especially was she an ardent
Ncer of poetry. Hector Birmingham
did quite Il little in that line, although
his principal illusions were novelistlc.
There was n minor celebrity, but the
real poet, in the estimation of Alma,
was also to be present tthe function.
This was Armand Lisle, many of
whose exquisite little Sonnets Alma
and many another who loved pure
sentiment and expressive feeling had
by heart. She was curious to hava n
view of him., but too retired TO ask
Mrs. Branded for an introduction. =
In her rushing, impetuuls way
Myra, like the typical hunter fixed
her eye upon the person Mrs. Bran
deli had SupposltiouSly indicated ana
made direct for him. The subject of
her fixed gaze was Il young man stand.
ing silently behind II group, listening
to the words of an overdreSSed and
seemingly ovcrfed man with tlaring
tie, very red face and an affected
lordly air that indicated he was one
of the Hons of the occasion. In her
headStrong, helter-skelter way. think
ing only Of the coveted autograph,
Myra reached the supposed object of
her quest. The young man seemed
somewhat distracted, as though deep
in thought and almost mechanically
took book and pencil rendered in his
hand as Myra said: .|
won't You please add to my little
collection of autographs? Mrs Bran
dell directed me to YOU"
The young man bowed and smiled
name. Ills OWL. Myra gushingiy
thanked him, turned AWAY and came
to II blank halt. a-
"Ah, Ama' sire exclaimed. "See
! have made mistake. He is not
Hector Birmingham at6ttll," and Alma
noted the signature: Armand Lisle."
Myra reversed her pencil ami dellber-
atelN erased the Iiame with its rubber
end, and flashed away after@the man
nearer the piano. ~s T. &c "a
Alma directed IL quick glance at the
Young poet, adnirins and feverential
for she sincerely recognized his
genius. He had noted the minimizing
and nngraciouS act OF Myra. A sense
of deep pity, for the affront moved
Alma to attempt to mollifN any hurt
he might feel .r
My friend is so enraptured with
her favOrite writer" she said.a that
in her needless way she has hurried
to her shrine of devotion. What she
has ignored l would cherish. Mr.
l.isle, won't you please autograph this
little vOlume?" and she drew from her
pocket dainty book of his own
poems. t.t
II could not think of aspiring to at
tentiOn, with Mr.. Birmingham pres
ent,' spoke Lsle lightly but there
was Il shade of annoyance on his
clear, intellectual face. He wrote his
name ON the fly leaf Of the book with
fountain pen. Then he began run
ming over the pages, where Il number
of passages were underlined. A Won
derful look of pleasure came into his
eyes, while Alma flushed hotly. for
the sentiments she had by heart were
those covering the theme of love.
You encourage me by understand
ing ME" .'he said, and his magnetic
eyes flashed a grateful CLEAN, and
then Mrs. Branded came up. intro
duced them, and the continued com
pany Of the gifted writer for the cve-
ming made il one of the most memo
rable in the young life OF Alma by
sart.
Myra Lane was a very much en-
liglitened and indignant person. when
Il charge of plagiarism against her
fayorite resulted in the discovery
that most of Hector Bermingham's
effuSiOns We're iranSlatiOns.
In The meantime Armand Lislc had
correspunded regularly with Alma.
~. a a Il 4,