The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-01-15

dertakess but { don't believe he fam /
cies 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 Abney 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 ONCE was an
alcove room before the door Of which
hung a curtain. In this alcove was
his secretary's Office, and his seere-
tary was a very bright woman named
May Wood. Cheney called her.
Miss Wood, tomorrow morning
want you to be in your Office con-
stantly. I expect lady visitor, quite
a society woman in fact, and / 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 (Cheney's)
Office 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, if at all. It depended on the
woman.
The next morning about II o'clock
the postmaster and Mrs. Abney ar
rived She was a beautiful woman,
stylishly gowned, and possessed a pair
of blue-bIack 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 earnation
Mrs. Abney" he began after his
guest was comfortably seated in an
easy chair, i am connected with the
government service, and in process
Of my work l have formed an idea
that something is wrong with the
stamp department of the st. Louis
post Office"
"And what has that to do with me,
pray?" asked Mrs. Abney in a rich
contralto voice. Her eyes were look
ing straight at Col Cheney.
wait. please 1t 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. I 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
voice. His manner was that of gen
tleman, his eyes were quiet. there wa:
not the least sign Of an ulterior mo
tive in this talk The hook was bait
ed and dangling near the fish, and tlls
fish nibbled.
YES replied Mrs. Abney, Il bug
stamps frequently from Mr.. Johnson.
"Just So And when did you las
buy any from him.
why, let me see-three days ago
If / remember Alright"
Her memory was good; that wa
the day Johnson reported the sale ant
returned the remaining half sheet
Not muscle of Cheney's face moved
! the smile was still there.
Have you used all you bought oi
that day. Mrs. Cheney?"
why, no. | have some Of then
here now. Here they are" she said
/ laying some 35 stamps on the table
+ Col. Cheney carelessly took them
The fish had swallowed the bait, hoch
! line and sinker All that remaine
was to land the prize.
/ Mrs. Abney began to wonder wha
all this questioning from this quiei
masterful man meant. A slightly III
comfortable feeling began stealth
over her. Miss Wood was seated I.
the curtained alcove, taking dow
y every word.
Il have told YOU all | know, Co
Cheney. Now beg you to excuse me
I. I have an appointment and must go.
a The fish was running out with tn
n line; It must be brought back
V wait. Just moment please,
n said the colone you know M
e Fred Stanton, do you not?"
i Mrs. Abney's heart began beatin
faster. The color faded from her fac'
D. Yes, I know him; what Of it?'
"You were engaged to him, wer
]. you not?"
* Col Cheney. your remarks are b.
d coming personal and, to say the leas
d impertient. / did. not come here
& be insulted. You have no right
d talk to me like that. ] shall tell NJ
# Abney and he can settle with you
N She turned to leave, but Col. Chene.
e who had risen again, said: Wait!
l. and this time there was no mistakin
J. the tone. It was command.
IS Excuse me- Mrs. Abney, but 4
n not think you viii tell Mr.. Abney an
le thing about it You we're in love wit
d Fred Stanton, and you are yet. +
a =