Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-01-15
\ An Intercepted Message.
\ An Incident Tending to Show That Ap-
resrauces DO omcumes Deceive.
sGSSGSSGSaeeGSe6GGSS

ning over the headlines of newspaper!
| ! had my eyes and wandering thoughts;
arrested by an article that stirred some
pleasant memories. Stepping to the
liable near at hand i was clipping the
bit of news when handsome, athletic.
young fellow approached from the OPP
posite side, knife and paper in hand.
| A moment later each noticed that the,
other was preserving the same informa-
tlon. Our eyes met, his brown and
laughing, mine blue and aggressive.
BEG pardon" he began with smile
that lighted UP his dark face and
showed his strong white teeth to ad-
vantage, "odd coincidence, isn't itP'
81 don't know" with some constraint.
sup to n short time ago my experience
was so entirely along one pleasant line
that my thoughts never went outside
of it. OF late surprises have come so
rapidly that they cease to surprise. DO
you know her?"
I'm inclined to think it my privilege
10 do the interrogating in this instance,
but you have already satisfied my chief
curiosity in the matter. If you were
not acquainted with Margie Morell you
would scarcely be putting that flatter-
ing CT ticism away in your pocketbook."
"You speak familiarly of herr" and.
despite my efforts to initiate his easy
manner, there was q challenge in my
voice.
Naturally enough" and his smile
was the more nggravating because the
more genial II have known her for
years. Used to carry her books, haul
her on her little sled, skate with her,
ride with her, advise with her, encour-
age her when success in music seemed
so far off, and all that. Held her on my
knee a thousand times. Why, she
spoiled the creases in this very pair of
trousers I'm wearing"
Now there was an effort at self-con
troll on my part. you are a scoundrel
and q blackguard," whispered us L
leaned over the table. "Lf l ever hear
of your repeating such language I'll
find way to punish you without involv-
ing the name of the young lady you
have been coward enough to SANDER"
No change in his smile, but little
more blood in his face as he answered.:
"Southerner, 1 should judge?"
"Yes, southerner, and one that tries
to retain the virtues of chivalry with
out its faults. Iwant nothing more to
say to you."
But like you. insist on pursuing
the acquaintance. It makes me happy
TO chance upon SO stout a champion of
Margie."
Mention that name again and I'll"
Hold hard, my bold southron," and
this time he laughed outright. "rm
Fred Morell, Margie's brother. In
fact, I'm the responsible head of the
family. Have you any special right to
fight the battles Of my sister?"
"Only the right Of gentleman who
holds her in the highest respect. Imet
her abroad with her mother. L was
completing my education in medicine
and Miss Moren was cultivating her
wonderful voice. In the midst of an
acquaintance SO delightful to me re-
ceived news of my fathers sudden
death, and with it the startling infor-
nation that disastrous speculation had
wiped out the large fortune that had
always been led to expect. I hastened
home to Kentucky, spent six months in
settling up the affairs of the estate, and
have just come north to see what I can
make of talents that have never yet
been called upon to earn anything"
ut might have been worse. You are
DR.. Tom Curran. I've heard them
speak of you frequently. Why not
take run out with me and renew tho
acquaintancew
1t was temptation, and we are prone
to compromise with temptation.
could not go then because 1 was tc
spend couple of weeks with my OWL
relative, Uncle Bruff Curran, who livet
20 miles out of ST. Louis. But wheI
Fred and parted it had been arranged
that should take dinner with the Mo
rcll household
At Uncle BrufY's was having glori
: ous time, though he was q bachelor o
co and cynical as he was rich. NJ,
: strange experience there began one aft
crnoon when was out shooting over n
fine pair Of Irish settlers MS ever stoo,
, covcy OF birds. The sport was fas
/ and furious and / was banging ava,
: without any precautions, for the gam
I was in desolate preserve and tn
c thought OF danger to anyone else neve
a entered my mind. But my con1idenc
e In the fact of my complete isolatio
d was brought up with n short turn.
:. had just let SO with both barrels at
e flying bunch of quail when heard
: shout OF terror and witnessed laugh
1 able sight. twas man literally droI
ping Gown a telegraph pole, his eye
big with fright and false beard shift
ed to the side of his face. The fine she
$ had rcppcrcd him harmlessly, but h
: thought that he had been fired mpo
$ and was beginning to plead for nero
t when approached him.
t When I went In from my holida
c hunt ] found a new guest at the hous
y He was president Of the then leadiu
4 bank in st. Louis. in which uncle was