The Oklahoma miner. [volume] (Krebs, Okla.) 1912-192?, 1921-04-21

/
he asked, as he suddenly Strengthened
and let go of his supports.
"Yes," said Pamela, gazing at him
in undsguised surprise. How did
you knowT
"Why, MISS" said the old man, I'm
Tomlinson. Excuse me for saying So"
he eddcd, a pale flush in his withered
checks, 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
gie?"
"In a manner of speaking, l did"
stated Tomlinson sonorously. "Kissed
her; but she never let me get as far
as huggng, 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 reXt moment she was crying
softly.
"P-poor M-NIaggie" she sobbed.
Tominson bobbed his head up and
down in formal sympathy too old to
worry much over womans weeping.
81 understand that she must ave
went" he said. "Illse you wouldn't be
alone, miss viii you have your
| breakfast in bed?'
ooh, could II" shifted Pamela, and
then her eyes fell on the clock. mo,
| l can't" she decided for herself. "You
see, Tomlinson, l only pro-promised to
stay until ten"
"Im be getting your bath ready,
then, MISS" said Tomlinson, and with
drew
Half an hour later Pamela was en-
| ioylrg 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, In the vain hope
that Mr. Randolph would pop in, with
or without Father Christmas, and
joining her i'm 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 stting-rOOm."
Pamela dropped her egg-spoon and
stood up, back to the fire, Just in time
to face a neatly dressed, pink checked,
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 pc
culiarly liquid voice.
Pamela nodded her head twice.
Il 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 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.
Mr., lIilyuns hung poised for a ser
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 breakfast-tray away. Pamela ac-
cepted Mr., Milyuns silent invitation
and seated herself, but tentatively, as
though she could only stay for a min
ute.
Make yourself comfortable, my
dear" said Mr.. Milyuns; I'm going to
talk to you for some time"
"Nou can't" said Pam; mot here. |
only have the fiat for six minutes
longer That is, l only pro-promised
to stay here until ten" Her eyes wan
dered half eXpectantly, half wistfuly
to the door
The bird-man smiled.
Wen see about that" he said. "rm
sorry you don't remember me. If you
are indeed Miss Imogeue Pamela
Thornton, l used To take you on my
knee often, many years ago"
Pamela could no longe- be startled
by such announcements.
That's what Tomlinson said this
morning" she remarked. Ever since
last night, everybody meet seems to
to know my real name, | don't un-
derstand it,"
"Pease trust me-" said Mr.. Mllyuns,
"and you'll soon understand a lot more
than that" He drew slip from his
pocket, "Now, do answer me careful