The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-07-07
THE TRANSFER-SLIP


Really, this is such a trifiing mat
ter" she began.
Did you notice how careful he vas
to explain that he Walked?" Edith de-
manded. That indicates a guilty con-
science. Oh, 1 10 those men better
than You do" she cried, as her aunt
raised a deprecatory hand.
Probably you do, my dear, az you
are twenty, and I am only ffty-three,"
| sighed Mrs. Maconber.
Edith returned with the directory,
placed it on the desk and withdrew.
The young woman's name will not
be in it," said Macomber.
But her brothers or fathers WILL"
Edith replied, turning the leaves snap
pingly.
And if the name is there?" inquired
her aunt.
IF she lives in the neighborhood Of
Fifty-ninth Street, my suspicious prob
ably are correct"
And them"
Il shall break our engagement"
Mrs. Macomber dropped the book of
poems, leaned back in her chair, and
gasped.
Here it isl" Edith exclaimed.
"Challice, harness-maker, Fifty-seventh
Street. The only chalice in the di-
rectory; he must be her father" Edith
shut the great book with such force
that the spindle legs of the little desk
quivered. Il believe Harry stopped at
her house." she declared.
Gracious, how you jump at conclu-
siOns!" cried her aunt.
81 intend TO lea N rba rr1fb II ,r,aS
tioning fails to reveal it, l shall con-
front Harry with his transfer-slip.
You nus help me-"
Il help youl My dear child, ="
They ars coming" said Edith. as the
outer door opened. Come TO my room,
aunty," and she fairly dragged Mrs.
Macomber away.
He makes them just dry enough"
said Jack. pensively nibbling the point
Of a wooden ~toothpick. A good julep
is a noble work of art. Coming to see
the magician, after your amateur thea
trical affair.""
"What magician" asked Gilbert.
The one hat to be at the club to-
night. That's what Lawton telephon-
ed me about. Didn't he tell your"
NO; he said that Westlake, of Phil
adelphia. is in town. Wanted me to
meet them later and go on a racket.
Told him l had given up rackets."
Have yOu?"
Harry drummed on the arm of his
chair. Jack. you have nerve enough
70 make a good lawyer he said. You
know I've dropped all that sort Of
thing
A man who approaches matrimony,"
SAID Jack looking SOlpmnlU ar tho fro
hnd that the glamor of his former
misdoings is tinged with danger"
Harry smiled, and leaning forward,
initiated Jacks tone and manner. "A
man who affects cynicism is apt to re-
Vert to oracularity and to become a
BORE he retored
When the ladies returned their air of
elaborate indifference did not impress
itself on the keen perceptions of Jack
Nacomber.
"When does the torture begin?" he
asked Harry.
AT half-past nine. I think we had
better start. Edith.
Edith drew a short breath ana
glanced at her aunt. How long did it
take o to walk from Fffty-nfnth
Street tonight. Harry?" she said.
4 didn't notice. I'm sure"
D you ever walk from there, jack"
Sometimes, if I'm not too tired after
my work at the office; walked yester-
day"
How long did it take?" Mrs. Ma
comber inquired cautiously.
I don't know, mother. but I'll pace
It and time myself. if you like
There's no necessity for doing that"
Mrs. Macomber said hastily.
There was a pause during which she
and Edith studied the pattern of the
rug and Jack moved uneasily in his
chair.
II suppose that you walk up quite
often. Harry" Edith ventured.
Never did it before. Edith
Why didn't YOU come on a car and
smoke?"
There are no open cars now"
Harry did not see Jacks glance,
Jack rose and strolled to the othec side
OF the room. whistling carelessIy.
Something in the wind" he whispered
under his whistle.
Edith's eyes telegraphed to Mrs. Ma
comber, Jacks trying to shield him."
Innocent or guilty." very softly from
Jack
Innocent in an indignant under
tone from Harry.
All the more danger; be careful"
Mr.. Gilbert"
The men turned suddenly. MIS-. Ma
cOmber vas standing.
W have decided TO ask why it
took You three hours to walk from
Fifty-ninth Street to his hotel" she
said impressively TO Harry.
And why YOU didn't mention the fact
before" added Edith.
But it didn't take three hours. it
took about half an hour.
please examine this said Edith.
handing the bit of paper to Harry.
Looks like a ~transfer slip" said
Jack. whose fippancy was frowned
down at once.
IT was Issued at half-past five:
Harry arrived here at h~alf-past eight"
Edith declared judicially.
Jack % the paper from Harry and
studied ii carefully.
This is my transfer-slip." he said.
Yours" cried Mrs. Macomber ard
Edith.
Yes. Don you see that il is dated
yesterday? l remember putting II in a
pocket of my rain-Coat."
When regret had succeeded Edith's
first feelings she looked tearfully at
Harry. Il never u TO look at the