The Citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1903-1912, 1907-01-19

81 know that" replied Cheney
Guthrie is good at anything he un
dertakes, but don't believe he fan
cles this butlering' business. Come
around tomorrow afternoon and
will tell you all"
Now Cheney was ready to move
swiftly and surely in his work He
was sure before that Grace Abnsy had
sent the threatening letters; now he
knew It. All that was left to do was
to bring about the denouement.
Just OF Of Cheney's Office was an
alcove room before the door of which
hung curtain. In this alcove was
his secretary's Office, and his secre-
tary was n very bright woman named
May Wood. Cheney called her.
miss Wood, tomorrow morning |
want you to. be in your Office con-
stantly. expect lady visitor, quite
a society woman in fact, and l want
every word spoken while she is here
taken down.
| Cheney again interviewed the post.
master and that gentleman promised
to have Mrs. Abney In his tCheney's)
ONCE the next morning. He knew her
and would not have any trouble In
Inducing her to come. Cheney didn't
want her husband to come-not just
yet, II at all. II depended on the
| woman
The next morning about IL o'clock
the postmaster and Mrs. Abney ar.
rived. She was a beautiful woman.
stylishly gowned, and possessed pair
OF blueblack eyes. The introduction
was brief and the postmaster with
drew. Mrs. Abney had herself under
| splendid control. She knew nothing
OF what was In store for her. Cheney,
too, was good to look upon that morn.
Ing; he was well dressed and decorated
with a red carnation.
| Mrs. Abney." he began after his
guest was comfortably seated in an
easy chair, Il am connected with the
government service, and In process
OF my work / have formed an idea
that something is wrong with tho
stamp department Of the st. Louis
post Office"
"And what has that TO do with me,
prayP" asked Mrs. Abney In a rich
contralto voice. Her eyes were look.
Ing straight at Col. Cheney.
wait, please. II Is thought there
are number of spurious stamps be.
Ing sold In st. Louis. The sub sta.
tion near your residence is suspected
OF being implicated"
What? Mr.. Johnson? Impossible.
Col. Cheney, impossible"
Mrs. Abney. nothing Is impossible.
have not said Mr.. Johnson was i'm
plicated. am merely investigating.
OF course Mr.. Abney buys all his
stamps downtown; but you. pre-
sumo, purchase stamps for your cor
respondence at the sub station near
where you live"
Cheney spoke in a well modulated
kyaise. His manner was that OF gen.
Kl4fy IN, his eyes we're quiet. there was
m/the least sign OF an Interior mo-
tive In this talk. The hook was bait
ed and dangling near the fish, and the
fish nibbled.
yes" replied Mrs. Abney, II buy
stamps frequently from Mr.. Johnson"
Just so. And when did you last
buy any from him.
why, let me see-three days ago.
II I remember Alright"
Her memory was good. that was
the day Johnson reported the sale and
returned the remaining half sheet.
Not a muscle OF Cheney's face moved !;
the smile was still there.
Have you used all you bought on
that day. Mrs. Cheney"
Why. no. ! have some OF them
here now. Here they are" she said.
laying some 80 stamps ON the table.
Col. Cheney carelessly took them.
The Ash had swallowed the bait, hook.
line and sinker. All that remained
was TO land the prize.
Mrs. Abney began tn wonder what
all this questioning from this quiet,
masterful man meant. A slightly un'
comfortable feeling began stealing
over her. Miss Wood was seated in
the curtained alcoye. taking down
every word.
Il have told you all know, Col.
Cheney. Now | beg you TO excuse me:
! have an appointment and must go. !"
The fish was running out with the
line: II must be brought back.
Walt Just a moment, please
said the colonel. You know Mr..
Fred Stanton, do you not?'
Mrs. Abney's heart began beating
faster The color faded from her face.
yes, know him; what Of ~"
you were engaged 10 him. were
you not?"
col. Cheney, your remarks are be-
coming personal and, to say the least,
imrertient. did not come here Ia
be insulted. You have no right 10
talk TO me like that, ! shall tell Mr.,
Abnsy and he can settle with you.
Ste turned To leave. but Col, Cheney.
who had risen again, said Wait! -
and this time there was no mistakinB
the tone; II was a command,
Excuse me. Mrs. Abney. but ! do
not think you viii tell SIR, Abney any
thing about H. You were In love with
Fred Stanton, and you are yet lie
married another woman and you de-
termined To get even with him. You
| cn,tIdvft attaaL him up11 couldn't find