The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1903-07-23
An IMPORTANT DISPATCH
!. :.


. - mem HEtLI.c ne was 1ttl=IA ~ ~
81 by the Office which lie held. haC
come tonight for e purpose. Gee
Acke-Soa was a strong man.
L was not till late In the festlyltie:
tat he vas able 20 approach Helena
jforringe. acknowledged beauty Of the
English colony at Car,shren. She was
engaged 10 young Vincent Kenyon
Carstairs. who had been only six
months appointed to post at the
embassy. Ackerson was aware OF
the engagement, but the knowledge
did not trouble him.
IF you don't mind Miss Gorringe,
| would rather not dance" said he.
/ Through the curtains that shaded
their retreat five minutes afterward
| she could catch glimpse Of the light
| ed ballroom. Then Cecil Acke.son
was telling her that he loved her. His
words came quickly, but his voice
was very firm, and she was unable to
stop him. He said that he had never
been woman's man. and he had
never met 4 woman Ike her. His
vehemence frightened her, but she
rose and turned on him with blazing
eyes. telling him OF her engagement to
Carstairs.
Cecil Ackerson laughed and took her
back TO the ballroom. On the morning
ing after his astonishing behavior to
Miss Gorringe Ackerson walked saw
agely to and fro In his private room
at the embassy. He thought of In
Vulnerable schemes, but at length only
came to the conclusion that Kenyon
Carstairs was In his way.
The next day or so Cecil AckersOn
had to leave such thoughts alone. for
relations were little strained with
the home country. The country Of
which Carlshren was the capital was
small. but important. The question
of war even hinged on the proper con-
duct OF these negotiations. And then
the idea came 10 him by which he
might put his young rival right out Of
the running. lie sent for Carstairs.
The latter came al once, wondering for
what purpose his chief wanted him.
Il have an important dispatch here
for home, and | have selected you TO
carry 1t. You will take the dispatch
with you when you leave this evening.
You viii start tomorrow morning,
and you should reach the coast by
night find there is no night boat
from Halzund, so you will have to stay
there the night. | need hardly coun-
sci you to take great care of the dis
patch, Carstalrs.'
Yes"
Every well. Come to me this even
ing for the dispatch.
Vincent Carstairs went to tell Miss
Gorringe he was going away for a day
or so. He was full of his news.
You look happy" said she.
81 am" Carstalrs replied. "The chief
had me up this morning and gave me
/ instructions. I've got to carry" he
paused for effect, ian important dis
patch. Why, what's the matter? You
seemed surprised
"Oh, nothing" said Miss Gorrlnge
/ did you say that Mr.. Ackerson gave
[ you the dlspatchY
"0f course; who else wouldr
81 wonder what dispatch is like 2
asked Miss Gorringe. innocently.
Just an ordinary paper folded" sait
Carstairs. would you like to look a
itT' He had been longing to show |
all the time. He took the shallow I'll
case from his pocket and unlocked II
and handed the case to her.
She took 1t to the window to see /
better. and for a minute her back wa
toward him.
LET me lock IT," she said. and Their
was little click. AS she gave tn
case back she shuddered little.
But when. later on. Carstairs waite,
downstairs to say good-by, she cam
suddenly into the dim hall.
"Wait n mlnute-here's sometime
for you" and she put tiny envelop
into his hand. ITS a note from me
but you're not to read 1t till you're o.
the boat"
whats all this mystery" said Car
stairs, laughing.
"Never mind. Don't open 1t till 20
are on the boat. Good-by."
"Good-by," said Carstalrs, and wa
gone.
At the Grand Hotel. Halzund, Ca
stairs ordered dinner In a prIvat
room. Half an hour later the lanC
lord came to him with long face. HI
house was crowded, he had no ROOF
whatever, and n gentleman had jus
arrived after travelling all day; woul
Mr.. Carstairs be SO good ms to let I'll
stranger dine with him7 He was e,
, tremely sorry to Inconvenience NJ
Carstairs.
mot at ALL" said Carstalrs. and |
sat down to dinner with black bear
ed man who had small, keen eye
Carstalrs congratulated himself c
, having such brilliant companion. I'll
stranger seemed able to talk ON an
subject whatever.
After the meal they rang for coffe
and Carstairs got up from his cha
and went to his overcoat pocket f
J his cigarette case. As quick as ligll
ming the stranger leaned over the tab
and a little dark powder slid into Il
8 glass.
An bour had passed before Carstai
came to himself. He experienced