The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-11-13


and answer them as if they We're your
own, without consulting me, or even
telling me their contents, and 1 Will do
the same with yours. BY following up
this misfit correspondence I'll be sure
to get plot
"Quite likely drawled Grant. But
what do get:'
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 pondered the proposition
doubtfully.
"It's crazy notion" he said, AT
length, "but since I 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 can safely accommodate you.
When do you wish to put the system
into operation?"
Tomorrow morning, if you're will
Ing" said Dudley. my imagination
seems to be afflicted with most ag-
gravated case Of dry rot these days,
and the sooner get to work on a plot
from real life the better"
At no delivery on the following day
We're there any letters Of Importance
for either Of the friends, but in the 10
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" be
thought. "Still-'
He looked across the table at Grant,
who had finished his breakfast and
was smiling over communication to
Dudley from the ponderous Boston
firm.
THAT settles it," growled Dudley.
Hes got the check, confound him, so
1 might as we'll get even by making
the most of this innocent little note"
The letter was written in o sprawl
ing. fashionable hand. and covered sev'
cral pages. Before he was half wa!
through Dudley perceived that he had
been precipitated into the thick of a
plot far more unique than any he had
counted on discovering.
"My 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 McKeever, is too big
q 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
employ? I wish you would advise me.
I know that you have large acquaint-
ance among writer's, 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 tolera bly, we'll
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-
ton can we'll afford to lay aside all
other work while engaged in this.
Kindly give the matter your earnest at
tention, and advise me rs soon rs you
have made choice. Yours sincerely,
"LUELLA McKEEVER.
"Hawthorne Apartments, Sept. 9"
Dudley read the letter several times.
Even after he knew it by heart he kept
on reading it. Presently Grant started
down town, and then he made prepara-
tions for answering it.
She's the same old Luella," he
mused, over ink and notepaper. "I've
been thinking, ever since l heard that
the General was dead, that would
look her up and see if she were as
sweet and pretty as she used to be.
This is an unparalleled opportunity.
It's blessing I made that contract
with Grant. He wouldn't have recon-
mended me in q hundred years, but l
shall have no hesitancy in recommend
ding myself. Luella refused me once,
in another capacity, and she may re,
fuse me now in this, but I 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.
My dear Luella," he said. 81 an
very glad that you consulted me in re-
| gard TO competent literary man tc
| finish editing the Generals papers, be-
cause 1t gives me q chance to recon-
mend man whom think remarkably
| we'll fitted for the post. Clarence Dud
ley is the man l mean. You have nc
| doubt heard his name mentioned fire.
quently of late, Cor he has been doing
some very creditable work. Dudley j:
a particular friend Of mine. l have
known him intimately for many years
and have always found him the righ
sort have never known man whom
| have liked so well. He is, by all odds
the best friend l ever had, and if 70,
can see your way clear to trusting hin
with Your book ycu will be conferrin:
4 favor upon me personally. Asid'
trom his attributes as an all-rount
good fellow, Dudley is so we'll equipped
! mentally that l feel sure he woult
give excellent satisfaction. and l hop'
: you can strike 4 bargain with him. LIE
; me know at once what you think Of III,
! selection. Ii your decision is favorabl