Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1916)

Pickles and Pearls 287 ' Telephone his description throughout this part of the country. Let it be known that Charlie is an English milord and a close friend of Silas McTodd ; and that, wherever he is, he must be treated as his rank and station deserve — all at my expense. When Sir Charles is located, notifv me immediately." Thus it was that when Charlie wras recognized by the proprietors of the Motorists' Retreat, the pickle king was informed by telephone of his whereabouts. Mr. McTodd was delighted by the news. "Do everything you can for his lordship's comfort," said he ; ''spare no expense, and send the bills to me. And, above all things, do not let him get away from the inn before I arrive." Lola accompanied her father, and the limousine fairly flew over the smooth road. "There he is, on the veranda, my pet," announced Air. McTodd, when the machine had brought them within sight of the Motorists' Retreat. "It needs but a glance to detect the nobility of his demeanor ! Strange how that high bearing escaped me before !" "We were both blind, blind!" murmured Lola. Presently the car stopped and the ■pickle king descended from it and assisted his daughter to alight. His lordship was hastily leaving the veranda. "Just a moment. Sir Charles !" Mr. McTodd called, and his lordship turned and leaned palpitatingly over the back of the chair in which he had been sitting. Lola and her father ascended the steps to the veranda. They were smiling. Charlie surveyed them blankly as they approached and halted before him. "My dear fellow!" exclaimed Silas McTodd. "Ah, what a fright you have given us! I called up the police sta tion to order your release — the arrest was all a mistake, and I had intended all along to see that you were not imposed upon. We were told, Lola and I, that you had escaped from the officers. Our joy in learning that you had been spared the ignominy of incarceration, was tempered by anxiety as to where you had gone. By my order, your description was telephoned to every part of the country contiguous to Boggsville ; and how happy we were, Lola and I, to learn this morning that you had been found. We came to you at once. Sir Charles, without a moment's delay. You thought you could hide your true character from us, didn't you,' by masquerading as a night watchman? Ah, Sir Charles, Sir Charles," and the pickle king shook a roguish finger in Charlie's face, "you might have known that sooner or later we would find you out. You are to go home with us, your lordship, and we are to have the privilege of entertaining you at the manor. You must not deny us this happiness. My love," and he turned to Lola, "entertain his lordship while I seek the landlord of the inn and reward him suitablv for the service he has rendered us." Air. McTodd passed into the hotel, and Charlie found himself alone on the same veranda with the beautiful Pearl of the McTodds. Never had the lovely girl seemed so radiant. Her proud, haughty air had melted into a most engaging manner. In the great blue eyes was mirrored a light which dazed and blinded the ex-watchman. ''My dear friend," whispered Lola sweetly, extending one of her small hands, "I lack words to express my happiness in meeting you again. Gratitude is a small thing, when one considers the great debt I owe you. As you have, perhaps, heard, the McTodds always discharge their obligations. Your lordship," and she blushed, and her eyes fell, "you have but to ask my papa for