The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1921-02-17
Copyright, The Bobbs- Morrill, Company

son, in sepulchral and ~censorious
tones. "Where Is Master RobertT'
"You mean Mr.. Randolph" asked
Pamela, q little breathlessly.
The old man steadied himself by
selling the door-jamb and bowed con-
frmation Of her superstition.
Il don't know where he u.s." said
Pamela, more calmly. "The last time
I saw him he was limping west" A
twinkle came into her eyes. "Why do
you askT"
"Why do l askT 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 morning"
I'm November" supplemented Pam
Ella, as though she were supplying q
very important addition to the facts in
the case. II am Miss Thornton she
added, with as much dignity as a
maiden. tumbled of hair, flushed Of
cheek, and cuddled In q young mans
big bed, could summon.
The effect Of her words on Tomlin-
son was electrical.
Miss Imogene Pamela ThorntonT'
he asked, as he suddenly Strengthened
and let 60 of his supports.
YES" said Pamela, gazing at him
in un%disguised surprise. "How did
you known
why, MISS" said the old man, "I'm
Tomlinson. Excuse me for saying so,"
he added, a pale flush in his withered
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.
"Oh!" she cried. "You knew Mag.
gieT"
I'm a manner of speaking, l did,
stated TOmlinsOn generously. "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"
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.
II understand that she must ave
went" he said. elise you wouldn't be
alone, miss. Will you have your
breakfast in bed2"
"Oh, could -" shifted Pamela, and
then her eyes fell on the clock. mo.
I can't" she decided for herself. you
see, Tomlinson, I only pro-promised tc
stay until ten"
It'll 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,
living-room. Without being a mind
reader, it is possible to -surmise that
she ate very slowly, in the vain hope
that Mr.. Randolph would pop in, with
OF 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 sitting-roOm."
Pamela dropped her egg-spoon and
stood up, back to the fire, just in time
to face a neatly dressed, p~ink-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 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
way, but failed.
Are you?" 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.
MI. Milyuns hung poised for a Sec
ond longer, and then advanced on. the
couch ~decisively, sat down ON one end
Of it, and waved his hand at the other.
Tomlinson slipped in and out, bearing
the br~eakfast-tray away. Pamela ac-
cepted Mr.. Milyuns' silent invitation
and seated herself, but tentatively, as
though she could only stay fora min
ute.
Make yourself comfortable, my
DEAR" said Mr.. Milyuns; "I'm going to
talk to you for some time"
"You can't" said Pam mot here. !
only have the fiat for six minutes
longer. That is, ! only pro-promised
to stay here until ten" Her eyes wan
dered half expectantly, half wistfully
to the door.