The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-03-03

OF man, clad in livery, and standing
unstably poised In the doorway Of the
room. His eyes, naturally deep-set,
actually prOtruded from his face as
though they were determined to come
halfway to meet Pamela's wondering
orbs. He looked like a solemn raven
which has carelessly alighted on a live
wire.
"He-helloi" stammered the young
lady.
"Good-morning, miss" said Tomlin-
son. in sepulchral and censorious
tones. Where is Master Robert?"
you mean Mr.. Randolph" asked
Pamela. little breathlessly.
The old man steadied himself by
SELLING the door-jamb and bowed con-
f1rmation of her supposition.
II don't know where he Is" said
Pamela, more calmly. 'The last time
saw him he was limping west" A
twinkle came into her eyes. "Why do
you ask?'
"Why do ask" he exclaimed.
miss. do you mind telling me who you
are and what you are doing in Mr..
Randolph's apartment at nine o'clock
on a Friday morning7"
"In November" supplemented Pam
ella. as though she were supplying q
the case II am Miss Thornton" she
added, with as much dignity as a
maiden, tumbled of hair, flushed Of
cheek, and cuddied in young mans
big bed. could summon
The effect Of her words on Tomlin-
son was electrical.
Miss Imogene Pamela Thornton?'
he asked. as he suddenly Strengthened
and let go of his supports.
Yes" said Pamela. gazing at him
in undisguised surprise. How did
you known"
"Why, miss" said the old man, "Pm
Tomlinson. Excuse me for saying So"
he added, a pale flush in his withered
cheeks, "but many time in the old
days Maggie let me take you on my
knee. A mort of worry you have
given us, miss"
tNdis Iort W . SySt'
"Oh!" she cried You knew Mag
gie?"
'In manner of speaking, 1 did.
stated Tomlinson sonorously. kissed
her; but she never let me get as far
as hugging. poor grill She said she
knew she wasn't here for long
enough
Laughter bubbled into Pamela's eyes
alongside of the tears, but, in spite OF
it, the next moment she was crying
softly.
"P-poor M-Maggie!" she sobbed.
Tomlinson bobbed his head up and
down in formal sympathy, too old to
worry much over wOman's weeping.
'T understand that she must ave
went" he said. "Else you wouldn't be
alone, miss. VIII you have your
breakfast in bed?"
"Oh. could II" shifted Pamela, and
then her eyes fell on the clock. mo
can't" she decided for herself. "YOu
see Tomlinson, only pro-promised to
stay until ten"
'I1l be getting your bath ready,
then, MISS" said Tomlinson, and with
drew.
Half an hour later Pamela was en-
joying a lonely "tray"-breakfast, placed
at her command before the couch,
which faced the, friendly fire in the big
living-room. Without being a mind
reader. 1t is possible to surmise that
she ate very slowly, in the vain hope
that Mr.. Randolph would pop in, with
or without Father Christmas, and
joining her In the meal, Danish a baby
Mr.. 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
full tones: miss Thornton will see you,
sir. She is in the sittiDg-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 bird about
to peck at her to see II she were the
real thing.
Miss ThOrnton?' he asked, in a pc
culiarly liquid voice.
Pamela nodded her head twice.
II am Mr.. 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
Mr.. Robert Hervey Randolph for out
raging the traditions of childhood by
sending a Father Christmas In this
dapper form. won't you sit DOWN."
she added politely.
Mr.. Milyuns 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 Mr.. Milyuns' silent invitation