The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-27

FRAUD AS A FRIEND.
. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TT AMES HALSTED started nervously
the train Mhistln shrinknd An.

<>"I-C Ell started neFNOuSiy
as the train whistle shieked On.
OJJ nouncing the hour of departure
James Halsted. familiarly known
as Jimmy. was successful novelist
40 successful that his last book ha5
put a very appreciable profit in his
pocket and a Discrimination for sleep In
his brain, that threatened to transfer that
profit to the physicians hands. The doc
tor had prescribed q trip South, and, there
fore. Mr.. Halsted was ensconced In the
corner of the train surrounded by news
papers and periodicals, with which to
while away the hours that still stretched
between him and the coveted sleep.
The rain beat against the window. blur
ring the landscape. as he turned with a
yawn to the paper before him. Picking
up the first one at hand. Boston weekly
known as the Illustrated Comforter, that
had not as yet won general recognition, he
glanced over the list of contents. Al
fairs In Turkey" Prospect of EIrofsan
Interference" salt Pork Marketable
Commodity" THE Vision Of a Phantom"
Name of that last sounds familiar;
wonder where I've heard 1t before? BY
by Evelina Montresor. Blue stocking
with romantic turn, I suppose. I'll
have n try at the lady's thriller" His
eye wandered idly down the page, then
he started, and scanned the paper more
closely:
me- NtNiE w ny, iHdt my own story,
written when was at college. The hours
of labor. downright hard work. that thing
cost me. and the despair every time the
postman brought II back, Can't be any
mistake, that l know. Wonder where the
lady got it? For to my certain knowledge
II was never published. Last time / re-
member seeing II was that summers day
at Glenn, when vowed Ia waste no more
postage on it, Some cheeky, middle aged
spinster | suppose Is getting the credit"
WELL my fair Evelina," he added aloud,
whoever you are, you won't enjoy your
self much longer; trust me for that
With Jimmy Haisted TO plan and to act
were one. trait to which he perhaps
owed much of his success He left the
train al che first stop, made inquiries at
the station regarding the trains to Boston
and reached that city late I'm the after
noon OF the same day.
Hurrying TO the offices of the Ilmstrat-
ed Comforter he demanded the desired
information concerning Evelina Montre-
sor's real name and identity. Awed by
the great noyelisi's presence the chief
smilingly acceded to all his demands.
"A Miss Trevor. 10 Blank street. Lit
tie apartment you know. Lives there
with her invalid mother. Young Yes,
very young And a little, er-crude or
shall say obvious. but promising
writer. Good day, sir. Don't mention H.
Glad to be of any service to YOU" And
he politely bowed his impatient visitor
from the office. A tidy little maid opened
the door In answer 20 fialsteds hasty
ring.
Yes. Miss Trevor lives here. but the
ladies see no one"
Tell her | must see her on important
| business" lIalsted insisted. impatiently.
The little maid stared at him, then
| silently ushered him into small room
| and left him. The furniture was simple.
| but Il had a coy home-like look. which
| his luxurious apartment lacked Evident
| ~ she didn't reap a very rich harvest
| from her pilfering. he reflected. and began
| to wish he had not come. Just then the
| door opened. and a tall, slender girl. with
sunny hair entered the room.
Miss or Mrs. Trevor he asked bow.
| ing stlfi'y 10 the youthful appariti0n.
Miss Trevor replied silvery voice
you wish to see me7'
So this was the thief Well. II she did
| have glorious hair a slivery voice and a
| sweet smile. she should pay the penalty
| just as n she had been the seniimeniss
| old spinster he had pietsred.
| He mentioned his name, expecting 70
see her guilt stamped upon her face when
| she heard H.
Mr. Halsted" she said. wonderingly
| "the novelist9'
| Precisely. ! have come
| MY mother Il very H." she interrupted
| 81 viii only detain YOU an instant | am
anxious merely % satisfy my curiosity
| concerning the means you employed TO 90
tain possession Of my story. The Vision
| OF @ Phantom
| Your story?" she Easped
| Il am, % course highly hattered" 10
! pursued ironically, that you should have
| selected on its merits that whic1 every
/ publisher In the country failed 10 discover
/ but | am none the less mys.lhed"
| She looked at him with startled eyes
| Like Il lamb In the lions grip hs re-
/ fiected.
| And you mean TO denounce me-"
| NO; simply. I am curious"
"Oh. be patient with me. I will rein.
| burse you 1 would do 1t now only N.
! money has gone Tor necessities FOR HsS
| mother. who Is very IN. I viii relmburst
| you afterward. indeed l will" she insisted
/ noticing Halsted's gesture of dissent. Ht
was beginning TO regret mis- presence there
/ but a silvery voice and sunny hair com
pensate FOR much, 80 he stayed on.
| Il will. indeed. repay YOU; besides,
/ 4i9rff know a "A hon the story belonged