The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-03-20
RUSE OF A FRIEND.

= CENE-The rest room at Schlesing-
- field & Siegchilds department
store. He enters timidly and takes
seat near the door.
He (taking n letter from his pocket
ard speaking to himself after the man
near of stage people, suppose I'm a
fool to come in here. It's supposed to
be for women. but want to find out
and be sure. might have known from
the way she was acting that there was
some one else, and maybe this will prove
1t. As rule l don't believe in paying
any attention to anonymous letters, but
this one is so definite and the writer
seems so well acquainted with the facts
that I'm sure she must know both of us.
L m positive it was She wrote it. be-
cause it's typewriter. "opens the let
ter and reads again.)
my Dear Mr.. Wallace: 1t may interest
you to learn that Miss Byrd Is to be In the
restroom at Schiesingield G. Siegchilds at
l2:l5 on Monday, and that she is to meet
there young man with whom she is very
much In love. If you doubt this informa-
ton. just drop in at the hour mentioned
and see for yourself. Yours in confidence,
"A FRIEND"
putting letter back into pocket.)
by George, that's definite enough. l
wonder if a nice, self-respecting girl
should make a department store date.
Or have l been deceived? Perhaps it's
just as well that we quarreled. Tothink
that in another two months we would
have been married. Hello! There
she is-getting out of the elevator!
Coming this way, too! Just as
thought, I'll slip out and walk up
through the carpet department until
nc has had time to come in and join her.
l wonder if that dyspeptic man with the
war button is the man. Horrible!"
She-It was Herbert! know it was!
l wonder if he saw me coming. This
proves everything. Ididn't believe it at
first-I couldn't believe it. Of course,
we have broken off, and it's just as well
that he should go his way and permit
me to go mine, but I couldn't believe
that he was in love with another girl so
soon. think he might have waited at
least a month out of common decency.
I'm sure that won't look at another
man for at least six weeks. wonder
who wrote that anonymous letter.
Some one who knows his secrets-some
nan who is his rival for her affections.
It's just like man. To think! I came
here, merely to reassure myself that il
il all a mistake, and I find him here
waiting. Oh, what an innocent have
been! There may be dozens of them!
Wasn't it to be a quarter after 70?
Where is that letter?
searches her purse and three peck.
cts. Finds it under her belt. Reads)
MY Dear Miss BYRD: 1t may interest
you to learn that Mr.. Wallace is to be in
the restroom at Schles.ngfieid & Sieg-
child's at 12:15 on Monday, ard that he Is
to meet there a young woman with whom
he is very much in love. If you doubt this
Information, just drop in at the hour men
toned and see for yourself Yours in con.
fidence,
"a FRIEND"
(Crumpling letter. "Well, it's way
past that time, and she isn't here yet
| Cr is she? L wonder if that blonde thing
writing the letter can be the one. She's
b.eachedl You could see it clear across
the street. There's a woman / would
ristrust at first sight. She has thai
knowing way, and, besides, she's too ole
! for him. Look at that! She's smiling al
something she has written. Iwonder il
| it's to him. l could scratch her eyes out
/ What chance has modest and innocent
girl against bold, bad adventures"
(He enters. Each surprised to fine
that the other is not surprised)
He-I didn't expect to meet you here
She docking hard at the blonde at tn,
desk in order to see if anything passes
between them)-I dare say that you
didn't expect to meet me.
He-Ah! May sit here?
She-Certainly. (To herself) Hi
acting is perfect.
He-Thanks.? (To himself) I'll sticl
here until he comes. Then see hel
writhe!! (To herr I'm not interfering
with any Of your plans?
She Not at all. Ito herself) H.
wants to get rid of me.
He-I've just been in the carpet de
partment. was looking for rug.
She Ito herself)-He is lying abou
that rug. He came here to meet SOM
ore. The idea of a man going shopping
at noon on Monday!
He Ito himself)-She can't think o
any scheme to hurry me away, and IL
may arrive at any moment. (Looks a
his watch.)
She-What time is IL?
He-Twenty-fve minutes past twelve
She-Your watch may be fest-tel
minutes or so.
He-That would make it quartz
past.
She Ito herselD-He is perfect.
brazen about it.
He Ito himself)-She's thinking o
1915.
She-You come here often?
He-Oh, occasionally.
She-It's a coy little place.
He-Yes, very convenient (meaning
ly) for meeting people.
She Ito herself)-Shameless! IT
him)-Very convenient, indeed (mear
ingly) for meeting people whom yo1
would not care to meet anywhere else
He Ito himself)-It's worse than
suspected. TO her) You do happe'