Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1924-09-26
Cupid Rode to
Victory in an
Elephant Hunt
By MILDRED GooDRIDcE
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90, 1874 western Newspaper union.)


0DE tolerant, Ephrnim, remember
- you We're young yourself once"
81 do, Martha, but I've seen the
folly and outcome of selfish pleas
ure and l want to instll the principle
into Alan's mind"
Going to circus once in awhile
won't pervert the dear boy" declared
Mrs. Woods. 1--WE sometimes thought
we were making him old before his
time. For my part 1 am glad to see
him brighten up, as he has since the
excitement and glare and glitter Of
the circus came right next to u.s."
you fell in love once, Ephraim," re-
marked Mrs. Woods naively, did 1t
hurt you any,"
you dear womanp cried her hus-
band expanslvely, I'm more In love
with you now than ever. You were
a minister's daughter, though, and this
girl is circus woman"
Hardly, Ephralm," contested his
wife. "She is dear, sweet creature,
in charge of little angel of child
WIN IlucS INC ulE ClSBHuLt
This had happened to disturb the
quiet humdrum life OF the Woods fam
lily. circus had camped on the va
cant lots next to their house. The stake
men came to the pump for water, and
insisted on paying for 1t. Some Of
their grazing horses broke down a
fence and devoured small haystack
The fence was replaced with new
and better one and double the value of
the fodder was forced upon Ephralm,
who had to concede that they were
very fair folks"
One day neatly dressed young lady
crossed over from the living tent Of
the circus into the Woods yard. Alan
was ut once struck with her modesty
and beauty.
IT would like to see Mrs Woods"
she said
my mother Is not at home" ex-
planned Alan. She tarrled for a mo-
ment irresolutely, something in his
earnest sympathetic face attracting
her.
you have shown our little company
n great many accommodations, she
said, "and we are truly grateful. l had
come to ask very great new favor Of
your mother"
"If II is urgent, ! will be glad to act
for her If | can" replied Alan encour-
aglngly.
Mrs Woods knows why we con
tlnue with the circus" she said. "When
Idalia's father died he owed the circus
proprietor a few hundred dollars on
the elephant You have seen Idalla's
pretty act where she acts as trainer
Of the elephant. At her fathers re-
quest Che was my half-brother) | have
gone with Idalla to care for her. She
has finally earped sufficient to pay off
the debt her father owed. Today she Is
quite Ill., The noise and hustle Of our
tent prevents her resting We are to
remain here only two days longer. !
would be glad to pay any price to have
n quiet room and home comfort for the
dear little one"
81 will go with you and carry her
over here at once" declared Alan read
lly. "She shall have my room"
Mrs. Woods, when she returned, at
once set about acting as nurse for the
little patient. The circus company
moved away As hours later, but neither
Miss Mercy Lester nor Italia went
with them.
The child developed a slow, wasting
fever. The elephant was leased to the
circus and a substitute for Idalia
found. This insured an income to the
little patient, and should she not re-
turn to the sawdust arena, a good bulk
figure from the sale Of the elephant
Even when another month had
passed by little Idalia was not yet en-
tirely well. Then some important news
came. The circus, stranded, had gone
TO pieces. It's proprietor wrote Miss
Lester that the elephant would be
sent bnck to her in charge Of one OF
his men.
But month went by and neither
man nor elephant appeared. Alan
started an Investigation.
one evening, still in quest Of some
clew as TO the whereabouts Of the
missing animal, Alan happened into Il
moving picture show. one of the films
depicted days life Of one elephant.
The moment Alan saw the first reel he
recognized the missing animal from a
peculiar mark on It's breast.
II did not take long 10 run down the
subject of the picture. The unworthy
messenger had leased the use Of the
elephant 70 some film makers In an
isolated movies camp, and was enjoy
ing a regular Income.
II was the evening after Alan had
returned home 10 report 10 Miss Les
ter that he had not only found the ele-
pbuut but had an offer Of $4,000 for
the animal. that little Idalla and the
family were discussing the future
MINIS Of their guests Miss Lester had
inst told Of her desire to buy modest
little home in n nearby seminary
town.
"But there are good schools here"
instantly chlmed in little Idalia. 81
don't want to leave Uncle Alan and my
dear friends here"
"And we do not want you to, dear"
said Alan. lovingly stroklng the gold
en.hnired child. Nor you, Miss Les
ter" he added impusively, before all
OF them. "You have read my heart
long before this VIII you stay--as
my wifeY
81 shall never love any man as love
you" said Mercy frankly placlng her
hand confdlngly within his own.