Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1902-12-03
When the Plot,
Ihickened.
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Something is bound to come of it,
he said. 1--WE will exchange mail for
one week. You must read my letters
and answer them as if they were your
own, without consulting me, or even
telling me their contents, and will do
the same with yours. By following up
this misft correspondence I'll be sure
to get plot"
"Quite likely" drawled Grant. "Gut
what do set?'
"The satisfaction Of seeing me make
a stake with an original story, and pos
sibly check, if that delinquent Boston
firm comes to time"
Grant pondercd the proposition
doubtfully.
"It's crazy notion" he said, at
length, "but since 1 get scarcely any
mail up town except laundry bills and
circulars from local tradesmen. the
chances of your prying into any OF my
secrets seems exceedingly slim, so
suppose 1 can safely accommodate you.
When do you wish to put the system
into operations"
Tomorrow morning, if you're will
Ing" said Dudley. "AIy Imagination
seems to be afflicted with a most ag'
gravated case of dry rot these days,
and the sooner get to work Oh plot
from real life the better"
At no delivery on the following day
were there any letters Of Importance
for either of the friends. but in the 1C
o'clock mail on the second morning
there was letter addressed to Grant
that promised interesting results. The
envelope bore unmistakable earmarks
Of femininity, and in spite Of their
agreement Dudley hesitated before
opening it.
"It seems hardly fair to the girl" hc
thought. "Still-"
He looked across the table at Grant
VINO had finished his breakfast and
was smiling over communication tc
Dudley from the ponderous Boston
firm.
"That settles it," growled Du9,es
"He's got the check, confou4r1 I'd him, so
G1ssat Gasss IS %E9s!;iet by making
ldie most of this innocent little note"
The letter was written in sprawl
ing fashionable hand, and covered sev-
eral pages. Before he was half way
through Dudley perceived that he had
been precipitated into the thick of a
plot far more unique than any he had
counted on discovering.
"A1y dear Henry" the letter ran.
"After many months of hard work l
have come to the. conclusion that the
editing of the papers left by my late
husband, General McKeevcr, is too big
a job for me to finish alone. and have
decided to place them in the hands Of
some trustworthy literary man who
will do justice to the Generals mem-
DRY. The question is, Whom shall L
employ? 1 wish you would advise me.
know that you have large acquaint-
ance among writers, and it has oc-
Cured to me that you might be able to
recommend some person for the place
From our previous conversations on
the subject, you are tolerably well
aware of the nature OF the data left by
the General. and consequently you will
know what qualifications are essential
in the man who undertakes to finish
the book. The payment will be very
liberal, and whoever accepts the posi-
tion can we'll afford to lay aside all
other work while engaged in this
Kindly give the matter your earnest at.
tontion, and advise me as soon as you
have made choice. Yours sincerely.
"LUELLA McKEEVER.
Hawthorne Apart Sept. q"
Dudley read the letter several times.
Even after he knew it by heart he kept
OH reading it. Presently Grant started
down town, and then he made prepara-
tionS for answering it.
"Shc's the same old Luella," he
unused, over ink and notepaper. "Ive
been thinking, ever since l heard that
the General was dead, that would
look her up and see if she were rs
sweet and pretty as she used to be.
This is an unparalleled opportunity.
It's blessing 1 made that contract
with Grant He wouldn't have recon-
mended me in a hundred years, but l
shall have no hesltancy In recommend
ding myself. Luella refused me once,
in another capacity. and she may re-
fuse me now in this, but l certainly
shall not fail through want of en-
deavor"
Grants was an easy hand to initiate.
and after couple of hours practice
Dudley fiattered himself that his writ,
ing would pass muster before anybody
less skilled than an expert That feat
accomplished, lie wrote to Mrs. Nc
Keeyer.
"AIy dear Luella," he said. 81 am
very glad that you consulted me in re.
gard to competent literary man to
finish editing the Generals papers, be,
cause it gives me a chance to recon.
mend q man whom think remarkably
well fitted for the post. Clarence bud.
ley is the man mean. You have nc
doubt heard his name mentioned fire.
quently of late, for he has been doing
some very crcditablc work. Dudley is
q particular friend of mine. I have
known him intimately for many years
and have always found him the right
sort. l have never known Il man whom
have liked SO well. He is, by all odds,
the best friend ever had, and if you
caE see your way clear to trusting him
with your book you will be comforting
Il favor upon me personally. Aside
from his attributes rs an all-round
good fellow. Dudley is so well equipped
mentally that l feel sure he would
give excellent satisfaction, and hope
you can strike bargain with him. Let
Inc know ut once what you think OF my
selection. II your decision is favorable
I will have Dudley call Oh YOU. and vo,,