The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-06-12


ten every time heard woman squall,
I shouldn't sleep at all. Women are al
ways crying. ;"
"Well, and what became Of this man
Dyer"
GAS I was telling you, Mr.. Maxey,
he was invisible for two days, and then
one night Imet him coming down stairs
with the key Of his door in his hand.
Mr.. Belfry, he says, business calls me
out Of town'-them We're his very words
my daughter has taken her opportu-
nifty to go and visit friends of hers in
the city. Unfortunately she went away
in hurry, and | forgot two things-to
leave the key to the rooms with her or
to give her any money And thereupon
he handed me the key and fetched out
Of his pocket this very identical bill
which l shows you now, Mr.. Maxey,
and went his ways"
Mr.. Bolfry passed over for the artists
scrutiny clean, new SEQ bill.
''This l was to give to the woman
should she come back in his absence;
but, as you have gathered, Iguess, l have
never set eyes on either of them from
that day to this, which, if 1 do say it,
in the estimation Of Belfry has all the
ear markings of shy-canery ON the face
Of it.
"llr. Bolfry, you referred to another
inquirer after Mr.. Dye. Did under
stand you it was woman?"
Every like, Mr.. Maxey. Doyou know
her?"
"Well," returned Maxey in nom
committal way, "what if l do?"
The landlords left eye closed and
opened in a suggestive manner.
'Name begins with F, eh? Pretty
well up? Something of a sumner for
| looks?"
Maxey's blank face almost caused the
sly landlord to smile, but he bit his lip
and went on:
"Oh, we'll, if you don't come from
her, shouldn't feel at liberty to speak
about confidential matter, of course
That wouldn't be proper, not unless l
felt and believed that was working in
q good cause. A mans conscience might
sometimes lead him to do something
which, generally speaking, he mightn't t
be anxious to do.
MaXcy deliberately took a $40 bill
from his pocket and placed it on the ta-
bic.
"You are working in the best of
causes, he said. LET us know all about
the lady. know 1 am trespassing on
your valuable time, Mr.. Bolfry, and l
simply want to show you that l do not
mean to overlook the fact that time is
money"
"Oh, don't mention it, Mr.. Maxey. l
shouldn't think Of charging you any
thing for my little trouble, only would
like to feel sure that you are ON the right
side and that all is confidential between
u.s."
"Rest assured of all this, Mr.. Bel
fry"
The sly landlords glance rested alb
stractcdly on the bank note on the table
He scented to have entirely forgotten its
presence.
"The word of a gentleman ought to
be enough for me, Mr.. Maxey, and l
will conceal nothing Within the last
three weeks a certain mysterious female
has rung at my bell at least four times
She always comes in the night pretty
late, alone and with dowdy shawl on
and good, thick veil over her face. But
don't think I'm an idiet, Mr.. Maxey
After being in the lodging house bust
ness for 10 years | am used to shy-canery
a little. She's no servant girl, for people
like her can't pick up the ways Of serv-
ant girls so very easy, and they only
mince the matter when they try to pull
the wool over the eyes of so old a bird
as Belfry."
The sly landlord chuckled and con-
tinued:
First two times she acted nervous
and only came to the door and seemed
to be covering up her real voice. The
next two times she was nervouser, but
she came III. The last time she got q
little scared at her own boldness and left
o letter to be delivered to this man Dye
Immediately on his return, to save her.
self the trouble Of calling again, she
said. "
"a sealed letter."
"Oh, no, of course, Of course, Mr..
Maxey. Don't think she would tell Bel
fry any Of kar business. Oh, no! She
Was mighty particular about that. but
She brought me this envelope all scaled
and directed in as pretty a little hand,
as nice as you please"
II suppose" began MaXey hesitat-
ingly, 81 suppose it would be scarcely
justitiablo for US to open that letter."
The landlord responded promptly:
"Oh, no, certainly not And besides
tit wouldn't do you any good.
think-in fact, II kinder guess what s
in that letter" :"
"Guess? How? l don't understand
you"
The sly landlord winkod so profusely
that he actually succeeded in stimulat.
ing Maxey's limited knowledge of hui
man dcpravity into comprehension Of
the situation.
"Oh, see. You mean you have al
ready opened the letter..
"The letter is just as good as ever il
was" returned Mr.. Belfry evasively.
"It is sealed up as good as before, but O
man keeping humble lodging house
can't afford to countenanoe any under
Reechnno'c nile nro e.