The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-08-30
HIS ARR: STING ANGEL

~N0~~~>0oN~


Which shall 1t be? l must destroy
one or the other. l can't send a love
letter to the dearest, truest girl OF
earth at the same time am consentinl
to be an accomplice In common burg
larry" This was uttered by a young
man standing before his desk on which
lay two letters; one addressed to his
fiancee, Miss Margaret Taylor, the 9th
er to Bob Kracker.
There was nothing to distinguish Err
nest Blxby from any one of a dozen
ordinary young men, except, perhaps,
his eyes they told one he was dream
er; but also that he had the power to
make his dreams come true; In fact,
he was genius, an inventor, to be
exact.
He took the letters out of both en-
velopes as he spoke, and spread them
before him. Once he had Kracker's let
ter In his hand and was about to tear
1t; but he caught himself and threw
1t onto the desk again. NO" he NUT
tered, II have as much as promised and
III not go back on 1t. The money be-
longs ITO me; yes great deal more
than we'll get Is mine, and I'll have 1t
If have to take 1t as common thief |!
He'll find that II we lack suavity which
enables him to rob with lmpunity, we
are not entirely without redress" With
the last words, lie snatched Miss Tay-
lors letter from the desk, and as IL
afraid to trust himself, to think, tore
1t quickly into tiny bits, threw them
into the waste basket, hastily put the
other letter into an envelope, sealed 1t
and saying "Now, I'll mail this be-
fore | change again. he fercely
jammed 1t into his pocket and quickly
left the room.
Tuesday afternoon, Margaret Taylor
and her mother were sitting in their
cosy library, Mrs. Taylor sewing while
Margaret read aloud. Mr.. Taylor in
terrupted them by entering and hand
Ing Margaret letter. "From Ernest.
! believe" he, said, and sat, down to
read his paper. He had read but few
lines when On exclamation from his
daughter caused him and his wife first
TO look and then hasten toward her.
She sat as IL rigid, with the letter she
had opened held tightly In one hand
staring at 1t as II 1t were an apparl-
tlon. AT her mothers startled question.
she reused herself, and extending the
letter toward her father, said In
dazed manner, what does it mean?"
Mr., Taylor took the note. "Why!
What! Is this from Ernest? he eiac-
ulated as he read. 'Thls is Incredible
But It's too plain to leave room for any
doubt. He has written to this b. X,
whoever he may be, and then, like him
self, In fit Of Observation-Disclosures has
addressed the note to you"
do tell me-" interrupted Mrs. Tay-
lor, "what Is 1t about2'
Listen" said Mr.. Taylor, "I shall
not allow this letter to leave my hands
until l have placed 1t with the proper
authorities. If you care to have me.
I'll read 1t to you"
well, do that, at least" said Mrs.
Taylor, while Margaret covered her
face with her hands as he read:
"B, X; have thought of your prop
osltlon-ln fact, that's about all have
thought of since saw you last. / am
ready If II can be done soon. can't
stand this strain much longer. Let us
say Wednesday night I'll meet you as
arranged, and you had better take all
the booty Off with you, I'll return to
my rooms and go on as usual for
while, then meet you in the stipulated
place.
"Sorry to disobey Instructions, but
lost our code, so had to write as usual.
Yours, T. A. II.
"P. S,-Remember, you promised pos
itively that no one is to be harmed.
"E. A. b."
Margaret understood her father thor
oughly, SO, controlling herself as best
she could, she asked; "What shall you
do. father7'