The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1921-03-04

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"He-heIIo." stammered the Young
Lady.
orbs. He looked like solemn raven
which has carelessly alighted on live
wire.
..He-hello" stammered the young
lady.
.Good-morning, MISS" said Tomlin-
son, in sepulchral and censorious
tones. "Where is Master RobertY'
"You mean Mr.. Randolph" asked
Pamela, little breathlessly.
The old man steadied himself by
selling the door-jamb and bowed con-
firmation of her supposition.
81 don't know where he is" said
Pamela, more calmly. ''The last time
l 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 Friday morning"
.sIn November" supplemented Pam
ella, as though she were supplying a
very important addition to the facts in
the case Il am Miss Thornton" she
added, with as much dignity as a
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 ThorntonT"
he asked, as he suddenly Strengthened
and let go Of his supports.
"Yes," said Pamela, gazing at him
in undisguised surprise. "How did
you know?"
"Why, MISS" said the old man, "I'm
Temlinson. 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
6lNOA U.S. AAAoos
Quick tears rose to Pamela's eyes.
"Oh!" she cried. "You knew Mag
gieT
"In a manner Of speaking, I 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 dubbed 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. "Else you wouldn't be
alone, miss. win you have your
breakfast in bed?"
"Oh, could II" shifted Pamela, and
then her eyes fell on the clock. "No..
I can't" she decided for herself. "You
see. Tomlinson. only pro-promised to
stay until ten"
"Tll be getting your bath ready,
then, MISS" said Tomlinson, and with
drew.
Half an hour later Pamela was en-
joying lonely tray" breakfast, placed
at her command before the couch,
which faced the friendly fire in the big
livingSroom. 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
or without Father Christmas, and
joining her in the meal, Danish 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 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 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-
ned the molten voice, and the bright
eyes studied her face .expectantiy.I
Pamela puckered her .brows in an
effort to meet that expectancy half
way. but failed.
Are you" she asked doubtfully,
and with mental reservation against
Mr. Rnhart unrunrr RandnIrh 2n. ont