Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1916)

290 Pickles and Pearls Charlie had not denied that he was a lord. He had failed to set the matter right. He had allowed McTodd and his daughter to be deceived. Rage convulsed the pickle king. Was there to be no end of deceptions? Was his lovely Lola to be subjected to indignity after indignity ? The world had been bright. There was no change in the weather, but a tremendous change had been wrought in the manufacturer's mental condition. He saw no brightness anywhere. ''And I've raised everybody's pay!" he muttered savagely. "And shortened hours all around ! Fifty to Jorkins and fifty to Miss Rives, and an increase to Blivens ! All because Cheerful Charlie did not disclaim his right to a title ! By Heaven, this affair must be stopped right where it is !" He rushed from his study, found Hawkins, and demanded to know where he could find Charlie and his daughter. "His ludship and Miss McTodd are somewhere in the garden, sir," said Hawkins. "His lordship — bah !" and the pickle king flung from the house in a temper. Yes, Charlie and Lola were in the garden. It was a wonderful garden, and fairly brimming with late-summer blooms, while the air was musical with the twitter of birds and the silvery tinkle of water in marble fountains. A more lovely place it would have been hard to imagine. To the enchanted precincts of the garden, Charlie and Lola had come in the early afternoon. They seated themselves side by side on a rustic settee, and if Charlie had never known what love was, he realized it then. "Tell me, little one," and his arm strayed to the slender waist, "dost remember the hour when first I came to the factory ? How long ago it seems ! My innocent jest with the red card won me the position of night watchman." "Yes, Charlie, I remember, but there is something you do not know — something I feel that I must tell you." "I am waiting to hear, my pearl, my Parnassus pearl !' Then, in soft, low tones, Lola told Charlie of the gypsy's prophecy. She repeated the verse from memory. Following this, she described, with much pretty confusion, the little subterfuge by which she had sought to fasten upon the supposed Duke of Penruddock the responsibility for making the prophecy come true. A light dawned on Charlie. He could now understand many things which before had been very obscure. He had interfered with the operation of the prophecy — in looking for a job, he had blundered through the door and beneath the fateful wishbone. Xo wonder the pretended duke had wished to be rid of him. A new significance was given that infernal machine, that offer of one hundred thousand dollars to the lady who would make off with Charlie, that attempt to send him to Samoa ! Ah, how plain everything became! "I suppose," he murmured, "that you are sorry I interfered with the prophecy ?" "Do not speak in that way!" Lola implored, nestling closer to him. "Perhaps I should have effaced myself in some unknown place, and never have allowed you to bring me to this beautiful mansion!" he sighed. "Will you persist in breaking my heart ?" whispered Lola, taking his hand and drawing it about her waist one: more. "But, if vou want to be a duchess "Lady Lola has a sweeter sound in my ears, Charlie ! There is a rhythm about it, an alliteration that is quite appealing." "Then," he said sadly, "it is for the title you care, and not for the man who bears it !"