The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-07-23

way of stopping this avalanche of
threats?"
Leave them here" said Cheney,
quietly, land come here on your way
home from your one this evening.
Then / may know something"
Cheney now had nine letters, all
similar, all threatening. A threat is
never made except for reason
blackmail or revenge. There was
nothing to warrant a belief in black
mail because there was no request for
money. Who, who could want re-
venge on Stanton, and for what?
Stanton came back about four
o'clock. Cheney had long talk with
him and during the conversation drew
from him the fact that prior to his
marriage % Mrs. Stanton he had been
engaged to young lady living in
Sedalia.
This lady's name was what?" asked
Cheney.
Grace Ellerton."
"Um, yes. And was she much In
love with you, Mr.. Stanton?"
"Well, now, Col. Cheney, that-er-
Is a leading question. Yes. l suppose
she was. But I wasn't with her, and
we QudTTtteu anu SepdTdlou.
Yes. you separated, to be sure.
How long were you engaged to the
young lady. you say"
About one year.
And what became of herr"
why, she married an attorney OF
this city. Abney by name, and Mrs.
Stanton and I have met them occa-
sionally In society. In fact Mrs.
Abney and I have laughed over our
engagement more than once"
Where does Mrs. Abney liver"
= "Out on Washington boulevard. But
look here. colonel, good God. you
don't think Grace Abney would do
:such a thing? Impossible, man. i'm
possible!" exclaimed Stanton, rising.
"Mr. Stanton" slowly replied
'heney, II never think out loud, it
.,rts. am merely asking questions
find clew. Perhaps l have found
one. You will receive one more let
ter, so will your friends. then they
will stop and you can discharge you
butler"
"All right" said Stanton. ''but don't,
for Gods sake make a mistake"
your impetuouss chivalry is run
ming away with your judgment.
There will be no mistake made, be
assured of that. Good evening, Mr..
Stanton"
/ Stanton left with a cloud of uncer
tainty in his mind. However, Judge
Treat had told him to trust Cheney
and he would But Grace Abney the
culprit? No, never.
AS soon as Stanton had gone Cheney
lighted a fresh cigar and. smilingly,
murmured: Hell hath no fury like
that Of woman scorned."
The next morning Cheney made a
quiet investigation in the neighbor-
hood Of the Abney home. He found
that Mrs Abney about two months
ago had purchased couple of writ
ing pads and some plain envelopes
at a small stationery store just around
the corner. At the substation he in
reviewed the man that sold stamps.
He was a civil war veteran, Johnson
by name, and after Cheney presented
his credentials was willing to answer
any questions.
do you know Mrs. Abney?" asked
Cheney.
| YES, I know her by sight" replied
johnson.
Does she ever buy stamps here?"
Yes. that's the way l know her."
How long since she bought any,"
About two weeks ago"
How many stamps does she buy
at timer"
Generally about so. half sheet"
Nov listen,' said Cheney. sharply. |
This afternoon III send you out |
sheet of stamps. Put them away In |
eome 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 is i'm |
portant.'
"Al right. sir won't forget" said |
johnson.
Cheney was absolutely certain Mrs. |
!Abney was the letter ''paster." In his |
own mind he knew 1t, but he wanted |
the proof, proof that could be used |
In q court of law If necessary. He |
went to the post office, interviewed |
the postmaster, secured a sheet of |
stamps and that afternoon sent them
All to Johnson's substaNion. Then he
Waited. waited like, an angler watch
ing a bobbing cork. waited for a nib
BILE which would tell him the fish was
l.
days later it happened. Johnson came
down with half sheet of stamps and
reported Mrs. Abney had purchased
80 that morning. The cork was bob
bling rather vigorously and the indi-
cations we're the fish would soon swal-
low hook. line and sinker.
Two days later Stanton came in.
"A report from Guthrie had preceded
his coming.
Here's another batch of those
damned letters" he said, throwing
them on the table.
Right on time to the minute" said
Cheney. smiling. But, Mr.. Stanton.
let me assure you there won't be any
more. These will be the last"
you mean you know who is send
ing them and can stop it?" asked
Stanton.
Eyes. that's just what mean, and
tomorrow or next day you can dis
charge your butler; l may need him