The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-03-03

own. In the meantime, what are yOn
going to dof suggest that you accep
these premises until the truant turns
up-only. Of course. we must get you
q companion"
IA companionT asked Mis-
Thornton. But have that already
Tomlinson Is a dear"
'Tomlinson is splendid In his way"
admitted Mr.. Milyuns, but he ISM
quite a woman. You can't live here
chaperoned by a mere male"
Cant IT" said Miss Thornton, with
a new edge to her voice and something
in her eyes that made them look as
though they were passing In review
all the unchaperoned years since first
she made her debut as an independent
scullery-maid at Mrs. Blunkum's feed
house. II shall change nothing here"
she concluded. when Randy-Mr
Randolph comes back, he shan't find
his place cluttered with females"
Mr.. Milyuns turned on her a gaze
that was complex with admiration and
a realization that he was on the way
to biting OF more than he could chew.
He decided to sidestep.
Can you be in this afternoonr he
asked.
"Oh, yes," said Pamela, involuntar-
lily giancing at the door and betraying
portal night and day until death or
Mr.. Robert Hervey Randolph arrived; !;
''I'll be in. Whyr'
Mrs. Milyuns and my daughter
Eileen will call on you at about fve,"
explained Mr.. Ailyuns. "Just one
more matter and 1 must CO." he con-
tinued. "Your income amounts to
something over eight hundred dollars
month. I shall pay 1t in advance
until you get settled and have a
chance to catch up"
"Please send me only half" said
Pamela, as she rose to say goOd-by.
Mr.. Milyuns took her hand, dropped
It, and started toward the door; but
before he got there, he stopped and
turned.
MY dear" he said, losing for the
moment his birdlike, chirpy pose. 81
don't want you to think of me as just
your banker. I knew your father and
your mother. and their fathers and
mothers before them. / am fond, by
old usage, of every drop of blood that
runs in your veins. You won't forget
that, will your
Pamela stared at him, swept toward
him, threw her arms round his neck,
hugged him, dropped her face on his
shoulder and wept. Mr.. Borden Mil
yuns stood very erect, his bald head
held high. his pink cheeks puffed out,
nd dc l,1 nj ha of
fifteen to the dozen in vain effort to
fan back an amazing lachrymatory in
undation.
There, there !" he said, patting Pam
ella on the back. "Who would have
thought it, you adorable, lonely little
girl?'
Pamela threw up her head and
smiled through the sudden summer
! shower.
II know 1t was ridiculous" she said.
But couldn't help it. You made me
like you all of sudden, and just had
to, because you've had bath and you
look so clean inside and out" She
kissed him as she broke away.
II see; I see," said the astounded
1 Mr.. Milyuns, and heat 1t.
At two minutes after five the door
bell rang again. In spite of the fact
that 1t was almost exactly the hour
which Mr.. Milyuns had set for the ar
rival of his wife and daughter, Pamela
couldn't help hoping--but in vain. 1t
was with a slightly resigned air that
she received Mrs. and Miss Milyuns
instead of Mr.. Robert Randolph.
Mrs. Milyuns flew TO her. set hands
! ON her shoulders, searched her face
with eager shrewd eyes, and said:
/ i-"Borden indeed told me the truth
about you, my dear. May kiss your"
Pamela extended one cheek to the
salute while her eyes wandered off to
size up the tall, blonde, cool young
person that she surmised must answer
to the name Of Eileen MIlyuns. Being
the product Of two shorts, how on
earth had she managed to grow SO
long? Her face was .agularly beauti-
ful, as though 1t had been carefully
made to order like her clothes. She APP
peared as passive as a Palmer snow
scape.
| After a little skirmishing for posi-
ton, the three ladies seated them
selves In a triangle. into the center Of
which the well-trained Tomlinson ran
a tea-wagOn.
"Now," said Mrs. Milyuns. having
emptied and put down her cup, Tets
forget the sheer romance of the situa
ton, my dear, and get down to prac-
teal problems. The first OF all things
as you must realize, is the necessity of
getting you a companion. Would you
care to be our guest in Madison avenue
until you can pick one out?'
81 would put clothes ahead of a
hOusecat," murmured Eileen.
Her mother ignored the remark and
kept her eyes fixed on Miss Thornton's
, perplexed face. That young lady seemed
in no lack of something to say but
rather in search of words nnd the