The Press., 1907-12-04

other company. and he sent second | dispatch. She was not due at her des- tinatiou for full two hours yet, and he could not hope to receive a message before noon. but he paced the office impatiently, unable to concentrate his attention upon anything except the tagging hands of the clock.
 At last the blue uniformed boy ap- peared With yellow envelope ana ue- parted richer by a half dollar tip. He was back in an hour with another message that ran: Both telegrams received. Photographed upon arrival Of course nothing Is the matter"
 The assurance brought contentment and that afternoon Semple put through an important deal. Tn his elation he dined at their favorite restaurant. and 2t was late when he reached home. The same ghostly voice greeted him and dashed his pleasure. He moodily smoked his pipe until late, and the un- usual allowance of tobacco wrought further havoc upon his tired nerves.
 The natural result was a dream in which he vividly saw Aida swathed in bandages, alternately calling to him and begging the attendants not to let him know her peril lest 1t interfere with the consummation of his plans.
 It was clear that in her longing for him her spirit projected itself through space and that same self denial which had led her to keep back the news of her danger led her to give the old familiar greeting and farewell. Her spirit must be in the room.
 On the way to the office he tele- graphed her that he knew something must be wrong and that unless he re- ceived definite information at once he would leave on the next train.
 The answer was dual one. Tn ad- dition to 8 long telegram his chum Ben Bradley put in an appearance. Brad ley fenced for awhile with small talk but at last he came to the point.
 "Do you feel all right, old manf" he asked anxiously. "I had wire from your wife. She seemed to think some thing was wrong"
 q am all right" said Semple wearily. "I've been nervous and dispirited and I got imagining things, I guess"
 He could not tell even Bradley what he feared, but he was at last convinced that all was we'll with Aida, and he was content.
 Bradley turned up after office hours that evening and carried him off to dinner. Mrs. Bradley is visiting friends in the country today" he ex- plained, land I need company. I'll come around to your apartments after ward, and we'll have a good old time chat"
 Semple frightened visibly at the sug gestion, and when at last they reached home he opened the door con fidently. His face went ghastly white as the voice foated out upon the air. He turned to see if Bradley had heard. Bradley stood there with a smile upon his. face. ''Thats a great idea, isn't itg' was his surprising comment.
 "What's an idea?" asked Semple vaguely.
 "Why, that photograph" explained Bradley. Its a German invention to be used in stores. When the door opens the phonograph announces the bar gains of the day. little alterations fixed this one so that the two messages could be given one in the morning and the other when you came home. was telling Mrs. Semple about it the night she was over to see my wife and she had it fixed up as a surprise for you. I bet it was startler, wasn't itY. fa
 'It was," said Semple dryly, won- .dering howl near to insanity he had been. "Tt was decided surprise. Then he added to himself. "Now that l know it's going to be comfort too"