The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-09-08
Third Page
aSTfIE MARKEDESTAMPSJ


not prolific OF any information and COL Jack was
About ten days later he received word from
Guthrie Another pasted letter threatening In
character had arrived simultaneously with this
news came Stanton and In his hand he held seven
letters. one that had come to his house and six
that he had secured from his friends. stanton
was worked up TO high degree OF excitement
Here's bunch OF them. Col Cheney My God!
isn't there some way of stopping this avalanche of
threats?" N#
leave them here" said Cheney. quietly. "and
come here on your way home from your ONCE this
evening. Then i may know something"
Cheney now had nine letters, all similar, all
threatening. AFthreat 10 never made except for q
reason backmail or revenge. There was moth
ling 70 warrant q belief In blackmai because there
was no request for money Who, who could want
revenge ON Stanton, and for whatf
Stanton came back about four o'clock. Cheney
had q long talk with him and during the CONVERSE
ton drew from him the fact that prior to his mar
fsriage TO Mrsi Stanton he had been engaged to
Young lady living In Sedalia.
\ N VI This iady's name was whatf" asked Cheney.
AZ TRACE Ellerton.'
S "Um. yes. And was she much in love with you.
v Mr., Stanton I" .ss
n 4. wei, now. Col Cheney that er-er is q lead.
\ ing question. Il Yes, suppose she was. But
wasn't with her,and we Quarreed and separated"
SYes YOU separated. to be sure. How long were
4 YOU engaged 10 the young lady, you sayi"
And what BECAME OF her?'
Why, she married an attorney OF this city,
Abbey BY name. and Mrs. Stanton and l have met
them occasionally In society. In fact, Mrs Abney
and AVE laughed over our engagement more
',yVhsFe does Mr.. -Abney liver"
tOukF0H Washington boulevard. But look here,
wou.l do such a thingi Impossible man, impossi.
ible?" exclaimed Stanton, rising.
Mr.. Stanton" slowly replied Cheney, II never
think out loud, 1t hurts. am merely asking ques
tons 70 fnd clew Perhaps have found one
You win receive one more letter, so will your
friends, then they will stop and you can discharge
"Ali right" said Stanton, "but don't, for Gods
AXE, make mistake"
Your impetuoas chivalry is running away with
Jour judgment. There will be no mistake made
be assured of that Good evening, Mr.. Stanton"
Stanton left with cloud OF uncertainty An his
mind. However, Judge Treat had told him to
trust Cheney and he would. But Grace Abney the
.culprit3 No, newer
| As soon as Stanton had gone Cheney lighted
fresh cigar and, smilingly, murmured: Hell hath
no fury like that OF woman sc0rned"
The next morning Cheney made quiet investi-
CATION In the neighb0rh0od Of the Abney home
He found that MRS Abney about two months ago
lad purchased couple OF writing pads and some
plain envelopes st small stationery store Just
around the corner. AT the substation he inter
viewed the man that sold stamps. He was civil
Iwar veteran, Johnson by name, and after Cheney
presented his- credentials was willing to answer
any yWSutlunbs
Il uo qou know Mrs Abney?" asked Cheney.
q Yes. know her by sight," replied Johnson.
n Does she ever buy stamps here?"
Yes. that's the way know her"
How long since she bought any?
"AbOut two weeks ago"
how many stamps does she buy at o timer
Generally about 80, half sheet"
Now listen" said Cheney, sharply. This af.
ternoon III send you out sheet Of stamps. Put
them away In some safe place and when Mrs
Abney buys any more stamps sell her from that
sheet and send the rest to me Immediately. Don't
forget It IL important"
'Al right, sir. fwon't forget" said Johnson.
Cheney was absolutely certain Mrs. Abney was
the letter "paster." IN his own mind he knew It.
but ne wanted the proof. proof that could be used
In court Of law II necessary. He went to the
p0stofhce. interviewed the postmaster secured
sheet OF tteMps and that afternoon sent them all
70 J0hnsQn's Eubetation. Then he waited, waited
like an angler watching bobbing cork, waited for
a nibble which would tell him the 0sh waa PLAYING
with the bait Seven days later II happened
Johnson came down with half sheet Of stamps
nf1nI IAnAI Masa -. 49,