Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1891-02-07

@+N f"
sary to tell how, and let him think what
he likes. III take it out to Ninety
seventh street and drop it in a box. It's
of such a nature that he'll never think
Of asking us about it
Wonder how she happened to use
this hideous thing, any way?" said the
society editor, as he flliped the envel-
ope contenptuously into the waste
basket with his polished, pointed-nailed
thumb and fore-finger.
That's easily explained" said the
practical real-estate man. "She lives
in a country town, where there is only
one mail a day. Spells her last en-
vclopc, uses II of papa's, and to make
the surprise more complete, borrows
his stub, and pleases herself with the
delightful surprise her darling will
feel when he opens what he expects to
find q prosy affair of business. But, un-
fortunately, in the excitement of the
occasion she forgets the cabilistic word
that would have prevented all this mis-
chief"
The fatal letter was consigned to the
night police for remailing, and il would
have been a tirst-rate plan had it been
carried ont. But there was a murder
out on Ninety-seventh street and in the
excitement of the moment IIazelton
forgot it.
Tom watched his superior slyly, just
to see how the ''old mani acted when
in love. That afternoon Mr.. Baird
went through his letters more slowly
and carefully.
Evidently he's been used to getting
EN- by this mail unused Tom. But
you won't till a little later this time,
my boy"
He chuckled to himself as he with
drew to lis own desk,
The next day the city editor went
through his mail twice, the last time
very impatiently. He was cross that
day, and all the fellows watched him
with interest, and Tom confided to
them that for some reason or other "it
hadn't come YETI
That evening the night police didn't
show up for his assignment. lie was
sick in bed with the grippe, and he did
not return for three days, Meanwhile,
the city editor waXed crosser and more
unbearable. The city was on the
point Of a strike en- masse, but it was
with a 'cowhide" they wished to do it,
and try its potency on their chief.
The third afternoon the city editor
was observed by Tom to pen a brief
note on plain paper, which he inclosed
in a plain envelope, not using the office
stationary. This in itself was ominous.
He went in and reported to his fellow
conspirators.
Boys, I'm afraid it's all up with thai
poor girl. lie wrote her three lines
and went and dropped it into the box
himself, And to my knowledge that
letter hasn't come YETI
81 wish night police would show up,
may be he could explain it, said Smith.
As il in answer to the wish he did a,
that moment come in, looking pale and
i'll.
Soon a group collected in the farthest
corner, and Tom said:
''Hazleton, do you know that con
founded letter hasn't come yet?"
ut hasn't! Why, that's strange! ]
mailed it the night of the Ninety
seventh street murder. dropped it in
just as l heard the first shot and ther
started to u as -"
Here a curious expression passed ovel
his face and he faltered.
Boys, | remember now. l had got
to the box and was reaching in my
pocket for it when l heard those two
shots, and / rushed off and haven
thought of it from that day to this!"
Then he drew forth from its retreat
the identical epistle-
Tom said: ''Give it to me. I'll take
it to the ~post-ofioe. Better late thar
never"
The letter received in answer to Kit
tvs must have been heart-rending in
deed, and there were only three lines o.
it.
MISS BROWN: l understand your silenc,
and ~construe 1t as II Is doubtless meant, tina
all is over between US. FRANK BAIRD"
Tom caught a glimpse of a very shor'
note, the chirography of which wal
painfully familiar-the next day after
he had posted the 'long-delayed letter
He observed that it evidently infuriatet
the city editor, though why the words
''as you say" should stir up such a TEN
pest of rage as it appeared to, Ton
didn't know. Mr.. Baird tore the notc
into bits and threw them violently int,
the waist basket, TANNED bis hat dow
on his ears and left the Office withou
leaving Tom any special orders. HI
proceeded to sit on the top Of his desl
and ruminate on the affair.
"If IL don't come soon he'll either ent
in blowing up the Office or out hi
brains. Wouldn't have believed he't
be such a duffer for any girl. But
seems we all have our moments Of mad
ness, and when mine comes hope
won't be such q hot-headed idiot a
he is."
just then the postman appeared, ant
Tom rose with alacrity to look over tn
letters.
''Thank the Lord! It's come at last!
he fervently exclaimed, and CAREFUL.
placed II about i.nlf way down the pile
Mr. Baird soon returned aud settle,
down to business with a grim, dogge'
aspect, and Tom had enough u
get into the far corner Of the cit.
room, one that commanded u rood view
Of the 'old man. from the rear.
The latter went rapidly down TIN
! J PIE and came 70 The fatal one v II