Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-08

To the simple all rs simplicity"
quoth he. "and l don't think the dear
lady knows what footle' means"
A violent ringing of the telephone
| bell interrupted us for moment.
That's the worst of fixing up ones
rooms like some beastly office" OBJ.
served my Cousin Randolph casually
Hang on to the thing and see what
| it wants. You're nearest"
and If it's anything unpleasant"
he went on, as the bell rang again,
say I'm away and you're my clerk.
Say I'm dead, if you like"
I'm hanged if | do" l retorted.
"Hullo!" held the thing to my ear.
A squeaky voice, small and distant,
responded. Are you there?"
Yes, thanks. What is it?"
I'm the Grand Hotel-the-yes-
what? can't hear-the Grand Ho-
tel Smithers, my name is. Miss
Smithers. S-m-i-t-h-e-r-s;" she spell
ed it for my better understanding.
She says her name is Smithers
and she's the Grand Hotel" an
nounced. You'd better take it on
now"
My Cousin Randolph retorted brief
ly. Don't know the lady-never
heard of her-never talk to strange
ladies through the telephone-against
my principles"
Against your
The little voice interrupted. 81
want Mr.. Randolph Strangeways," it
said. rs that you?"
She's pleading for you,' told
MIN; this is beauty in distress.
Come on, Lothario."
I'm Lady Julia S secretary" said
the voice, and want to speak to
most important"
Lady Julia's the Aunt, the Aunt
I've been talking about" observed my
Cousin Randolph, with deadly distinct
ness.
The voice took it up.
About that check. AS Lady Julia s
only got a few hundreds at the
bank"
"A few hundreds!" groaned my
Cousin Randolph, and then rounded
off the remark in his own peculiar
fashion.
Il don't think he ought to swear"
the voice continued-it seemed to me
that laugh was borne along the wires.
"Of course, poor dear Lady Julia does
get so muddled up with her bank
balance and her pass-book, and she
hasn't been al all well, and she quite
understands that MIR. Strangeways
only wants to show the check to his
creditors" | was quite sure now OF
the laugh. "Of course, under the cir
cumstances, it can't matter AZ all tic
him that"
My Cousin Randolph had seized the
second receiver and was listening
with all his might. Cant matter a
all that-what? Go on"
THAT Lady Julia had stopped pay
ment of the check in case it should
happen to get lost or anything. yot
know. One has to be so careful.
thought Mr.. Strangeways might like
to know. What? Oh, please dom
keep on swearing so-it does unnerve
me-"
ITO the simple" l began, incau
tiously
My Cousin Randolph retorted witt
emphasis. This is the straw that
broke the camel's back" he said.
The squeaky voice again interrupt
ed. IF you wouldn't mind letting me
finish" ii said. Il won't be long and
then you can go away and have nice
comfortable swear all to yourselves
What? can't hear. Yes; Lady Julia
does think 1t funny that the mere
sight of check will satisfy credi
tor-very funny; but she says II
would be more useful and less dan
gerous If you returned it to her in eN
change for five little Bank of England
notes. Yes; less dangerous. What?
Oh! What do get out of 1t for spoil
ing the deal? Oh, we'll, the laborer
is worthy of her hire, isn't she? And
-yes-Tm all right. thanks. Good
by"
The telephone was put back in its
place and began again to laugh
True greatness is always simple, isn't
,?" said. twenty-five to two thou
sand, and to be outwitted by Smith
ers!"
But my Cousin Randolph was i'm
pervious to gibes and was ever phil
osophic. twenty-five is twenty-five,
quotn he. at might be worse. Let's
go out and get some dinner. WhatF
The King.