The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-04-15

I'm a manner of speaking, did,"
stated Tomlinson sonorously. 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
1t, the next moment she was crying
softly.
"P-poor M-MaggieT' she sobbed.
Tomlinson bobbed his head up and
down in formal sympathy, too old to
worry much over woman's weeping.
Il understand that she must ave
went" he said. elise you wouldn't be
alone, miss. WIN you have your
breakfast in bedT
'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.'
"Pll be getting your bath ready,
then, miss" said TomIinson, and with
drew.
joying lonely ray"-breakfast, placed
at her command before the couch,
which faced the friendly fire in the big
iiving-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
or without Father Christmas, and
joining her in the meal, Danish baby
MIR. 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 stoo1, 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.
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. E.~
"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 a 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
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"
"You can't" said Pam; mot here. l
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.
The bird-man smiled.
Wen see about that" he said. "I'm
sorry you don't remember me. If Won
are indeed Miss Imogene Pamela
Thornton, I used to take you on my
knee often, many years ago."
Pamela could no longer 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 I'M
derstand it."
please trust me-" said Mr.. Milyuns,
land you'll soon understand lot more
than that" He drew a slip from his
pocket. Now, do answer me careful
ly. Tell me the addresses of the first
four places you and Maggie lived in
after your father died"
Il can't remember the first" said
Pam, but, after a seconds thought,
ratified off the names of three streets,
and located addresses approximately
by describing nearby corners prorni-
nent to child's mind for one reason
or another. Those are the next
three" she said. after that. we
went"
But Mr.. Nilyuns was satisfied.
That's enough for formalities, my
dear. I'm convinced that you are the
person for whom the firm of Afilyuns
Branch & Milyuns has been searching
for years. Do you remember your
great-uncle, Asa Thornton?"
YES" said Pamela, vague wonder
and terror in her eyes: "but 1 didn't
know he was real"
"FDidn't know he was real pS ax.