The Little River news., 1921-03-19

tones. "Where is Master Robert~ 1
 ssYou mean Mir. Randolph?" asked | Pamela, little breathlessly.
 The old man steadied himself by l seizing the door-jamb- and bowed con- flrmation of her supposition
 'T don't know where he is," said | Pamela, more calmly. "The last time | I saw him he was limping west" A | twinkle came into her eyes. "Why do | you ask?"
 "Why do I ask?" he exclaimed. | are and what you are doing in MT. Randolphs apartment at nine o'clock on Friday morning"
 "In November" supplemented Pam- ela, as though she were supplying a very important addition to the facts in the case. "I am Miss Thornton" she added, with as much dignity as maiden, tumbled of hair, flushed of cheek, and cuddled in young mans big bed. could summon. The effect of her words on Tomlin- son was electrical.
 Miss Imogene Pamela ThorntonF" he asked, as he suddenly strengthened and let go of his supports.
 "Yes," said Pamela. gazing at him in undlsgqised surprise. How did You knowY' s'4 gl.. .,s.-i'-'--.'' ''-'
 aWhy, miss" said the old man, "I'ni TomiinsooHH. Excuse ne fog saying se." he added, pale flush in his witf1efed cheeks, but many a time in the old days Maggie let me take you on my knee. A mort of worry you have given us, miss."
 Quick tears rose to Pamela's eyes. "Ohl" she cried. You knew Mag gie"
 Tn a manner of speaking, I did" stated Tomlinson sonorously. ''Kissed her; but she never let me get as far as hugging, poor girl She said she knew she wasn't here for long enough" ..:s gs E ti-s s'Sf 7, s.Asr '.si' Laughter bubbled into Pamela's eyes alongside of the tears, but, in spite of 1t, the next moment she was crying softly. ~ -.s 4'ssse.-. 4s "P-poor M-Maggiew w she sobbed. Tomllnson bobbed his head up and down in formal sympathy too old to worry much over woman's weeping. T understand that she must lave went" he said. Else you wouldn't Re alone, miss. Wfff You have yoif breakfast in bed?"
 "Oh, could I?" snIffed Pamela, and then her eyes fell op the clock. "No, I can't" she decided for herself. "You see. Tomlinson, I only pro-promised to stay until ten"
 .Tll be getting your bath ready, then. miss," said Tomllnson, and with drew.
 Half an hour later Pamela was en- toying a lonely tray "-breakfast, placed at her command before the couch, which faced the friendly fire in the big living-room. Without being mind reader, it is possible to surmise that she ate very slowly, inthe vain hope that Mir. Randolph would pop in, with or without Father Christmas, and joining her in the meal, banish baby Mir. Gloom that was hanging round.
 While she was still toying with her food she heard the bell ring and Tom linson's voice saying, in deep. respect ful tones: Miss Thornton will see you, sir. She is fin the sitting-room."
 Pamela dropped her egg-spoon and stood up, back to the fire just in time to face a neatly dressed. pink-cheeked, bright-eyed, bald-headed little gentle man, who stood. poised but alert, in the open doorway, like a bird about to peck at her to see If she were the real thing.
 Miss Thornton" he asked, in a pe- culiarly liquid voice.
 Pamela nodded her head twice.
 q am Mir. Borden Milyuns," contin- ued the molten voice, and the bright eyes studied her face expectantly.
 Pamela puckered her brows in an effort to meet that expectancy half way, but failed.
 Are your" she asked doubtfully. and with a mental reservation against Mir. Robert Hervey Randolph for out raging the traditions of childhood by sending Father Christmas in this dapper form. "won't you sit downY she added politely.
 Mir. Mllyuns hung poised for sec ond longer. and then advanced on the couch decisively. sat down on one end of 1t, and waved his hand at the other. Tomlinson slipped in and out, bearing the breakfast-tray away. Pamela ac- cepted Mir. Milyuns' silent invitation and seated herself. but tentatively, as though she could only stay for a min ute.
 Make yourself comfortable. my dear," said Mir. Milyuns; I'm going to talk to you for some time"
 You can't" said Pam; mot here. I | only have the flat for six minutes longer. That is. only pro-promised | to stay here until ten" Her eyes wan dered half expectantIy. half wistfuIly | to the door.
 The bird-man smiled.
 "We'll see about that" he said. "rm | sorry you don't remember me. If you ' are indeed Miss Imogene Pamela ' Thornton. | used to fukg vou on fox