Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-01-03
Fiction

light caused them to concentrate the
whoie eye OF their lantern upon .
Cnippendale writing desk which
STOOD aslant before a curtained win.
dow. 1t was all but covered with
parcels tied up with ribbon. doubtless
intended to go by the next day. Each
one was addressed in pretty hand.
writing, and the partners could guess
now the mistress of the house had
sat there at her desk getting ready
the packets as her last duty before
going to bed. There was still a
faint, lingering fragrance of fresh
ceiling wax, and on the top of little
DOCK OF dark blue morocco. mono
grammed in silver, lay an old seal of
twisted gold.
Looks like good haul, eh?s said
DICK, comfortably. Maybe some
aren't worth our having, but it will
save time if we scoop the lot, on
There's good deal besides" re-
marked Jim, nodding. toward the
tables where silver and gold caught
the light of the fire. "And then,
there'l be the dining room. We
don't want to waste carry space. I'D
bet she's put down in that little
book under the seal list of presents
she's sending away Let's cast an
eye over it,
He took up the book as he spoke.
slipping the gold seal in his pocket.
but If the blue volume had a secret
to weep it was prepared to keep it
we'll. 1t was locked with a tiny
silver paddock, and the key was not
| in it.
She'll keep it in her room with the
Jewely she wears by day-on a
watch chain or bracelet, perhaps, .
said Dick.
No doubt of it," Jim agreed. But
we shan't know, for we'll stick to our
bargain and do no bedroom prying.
The girl wears little jewelry, we know
that, and if there are heirlooms
they'll be in the bank. AS for money
in the house, if the women have it un-
der their pillows, let them keep it.
| We've never gone in for risking rows
and we never will while I'm in part
nership, anyhow where there are wo-
men concerned. But for the book.
if it can tell us anything, we can
| have the information without the
key" And proud of the strength he
had in his hands Che could tear half
a pack of carde in two,) he wrenched
the book open.
1t was the last page to which he
turned for the list that might be
there, and Dick watched him, holding
the lantern. 1t was clear, whatever
he found in the book was something
| which interested him, for Immediate
| ly he was absorbed.
"Well?" inquired his friend, grow
ing FESTIVE. Anything in our line?"
mot much" said Jim. Its not a
list, it's love story. | say, Dick,
who'd have thought it?"
Thought what?"
THAT the heiress was miserable.
| Not a woman in the country, ! sup
pose, that doesn't envy her name, and
her money, and good looks-her
youth, too; but all the while she's
wretched."
'That doesn't concern us even If it
is Christmas, and peace on earth,
good will to men," sneered Dick,
half amused, half annoyed at the de-
lay made by his partners curiosity.
Jim gave no answer He was deep
in the book again, and had turned
back many pages now.
Come along, let's get to work"
Dick urged.
eWhy, she's loved him for years!"
exclaimed Jim.
well, if you're not the queerest
chap!" grumbled his partner, still
between two emotions. you come
to a house on business-pretty spec
ial sort of business, too-and you
stop to read love letters"
"Tisn't love letters it's a diary"
said Jim. TITS beautiful-as good as
any story-and / always had big
weakness for love stories"
81 know that. There's a novelette,
forever stuck in your pocket. You are
an odd mixture. But there's Tins
for everything. This is the time to
help ourselves-not to girls se,ss.F
Jut to something better worth hay
ing"
We've all night before us. No
chance of being disturbed. Begin IL
you're in a hurry. must just ma
out what happened to part OF them,
and who he is, anyhow. He seems
from what can see, to be man oil
importance in politics or something
Dick growled and got to work. His
coat, as well as his friends was lined
with huge pockets. made for pur-
pose; and there was. besides, bag.
He put away the parcels on the desk
in no time, and went over to the table
spread with gold eand silver curiosi-
ties. He took the lantern with him,
nd Jim, if he would go on with his
reading. was Obliged to light one OF
a. xfrrr .hadod raudloc IN fha desk