Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-05-23
AN IMPORTANT DISPATCH

NNO~

60 HE Embassy Ball a Carlshren
was a very brilliant affair Cecil
Ackerson, who hated balls and
that sort of foolery, and only attend
ed them because he was obliged to dc
so by the office which he held had
come tonight for a purpose. Cecil
AckersOn was a strong man,
1t was not till late in the festivities
that he was able to approach Helena
Gorringe, acknowledged beauty of the
English colony at Carlshren. She was
engaged to young Vincent Kenyon
Carstairs, who had been only six
months appointed to a 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 Ackerson
was telling her that he loved her. His
words came quickly, but his voice
was very firm, and she was unable to
stop bin. He said that he had never
been a woman's man, and he had
never met woman like her. His
vehemencc 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 10 the conclusion that Kenyon
Carstairs was in his way
The next day or so Cecil Aclterson
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
duet of these negotiations. And then
the idea came to him by which he
might put his young rival right out of
the running lie sent for Carstairs.
The latter came at once, wondering for
what purpose his chief wanted him.
Il have an important dispatch here
for home, and | have selected you to
carry it. You will take the dispatch
with you when you leave this evening
You will 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, Carstairs"
Yes"
very we'll. Come to me this even
Ing for the dispatch.
Vincent Carstairs went 70 tell Miss
Gorrlnge he was going away for day
or so. He was full of his news.
''You look happy" said she.
Il am" Carstars replied. The chief
had me up this morning and gave mo
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 Gorrinre
"Did you say that Mr.. Ackerson gave
you the dspatch?"
"Of course; who else wouldgr
Il wonder what dispatch is like
asked Miss GorrInge, innncently.
Just an ordinary paper folded" said
Carstairs. would you like 10 look AZ
itT' He had been longing to show It
all the time. He took the shallow fin
case from his pocket and unlocked it.
ana handed the case to her.
She took 1t to the window 10 see il
better. and for minute her back WAS
toward him.
Let me lock it" she said, ana there
was little click As She gave the
ease back she Shuddered a little
But when, later on. CarstairS waited
downstairs TO say good.by. she came
suddenly into the dim hail.
wait a minute here's sometime
~
for YOU" and she put a tiny envelope
into his hand IT'S note from mo
but you're not to read 1t till you're on
the boat"
What's all this myStery?' said Car,
stairs, laughing.
Never mind. Don't open 1t till you
are on the boat. Good-by."
"Good-by," said Carstairs, and was
gone.
At the Grand Hotel, Halzund. Car
stairs ordered dinner in private
room. IIalf an hour later the land
lord came to him with a long face. His
house was crowded. he had no room
whatever, and gentleman had Just
arrived after travelling all day: would
Mr.. Carstairs be so good as TO let the
stranger dine with him? He was ex-
tremely sorry to Inconvenience Mr..
Carstairs.
Not ut air. said Carstairs, and he