The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-10-11
A Ruse.
(Original.l

WO1u6 VI
Don't speak 1t. I will prove them"
"HowW
After my own fashion. I shall take
good deal of trouble and subject
myself to some risk. besides mourning
the lasting enmity Of my best friend
in case Of failure"
''Then don't try"
And let you fall into the tolls Of
an adventures? Do you call that
friendshipr'
Does friendship require one to ira
duce a pure and noble woman"
Enough Of this. am going to take
steps to show you that this pure and
noble woman 10 fooling you"
Bisbee, the last speaker, was about
to leave, when billiard, the other,
stopped him. "You do not have my
consent to this proceeding, but If you
will give me your plan 1 will execute
1t myself"
"You shall act with me. Virginia
lions OF a man named Connor-Frank
Conner. He"-
II will 60 at once, and If I find"-
"Nmsensel Either he knows what
she Is or he doesn't If he knows, he
will not give her away. If he doesn't,
he will consider you fool to suppose
she loves you instead Of him."
what is your plan?"
II have not yet made 1t. I will go
home and think one out. You shall
hear from me as soon as I have done
| So"
Every well. have great confidence
In your ingenuity"
II take chances-that is, in plans laid
for myself"
"Take the same chances for me"
The next day Bisbee told his friend
that he had formed plan, but 1t could
not be put in practice till Conner
should 60 out of town for a day or
two; but, since he made frequent trips
here and there. they should not have
long to wait. Ten days later Bisbee
announced his plan and that the time
was ripe. Conner had gone away for
I overnight. you go to his rooms; l
will go to his ofilce," he added.
An hour later billiard appeared at
Connors rooms and, producing forg-
| ed search warrant, proceeded to go
through what papers he could find
there. He found nothing Of CORE
spondence between Mr.. Common and
Miss Lambert.
I'm fool and a knave." he said to
himself. Ito resort to such despicable
means. shall wash my hands Of the
business"
Going to his rooms, he waited till
Bisbee came In.
"Well." Hnllard asked, "what luck?"
"Let me tell you what l have done.
I went to Connor's Office and demand
ed to see him at once. OF course they
told me what 1 knew-that he was out
Of town. I told the clerks that he was
under suspicion Of embezzlement and
assumed as a detective to take posses
sion of the Office.
"'When will Connor returnr de-
manded.
Likely some time during the day.
"'You are deceiving me. He will not
return till tomorrow. Why do you
say he will be here todayY
because there Is a telegram for
him. II he were to remain away over.
night, it would not have been sent
here
Does he not receive kilograms of
business natureT
"'Seldom. They are usually Of pri.
vate nature
"Open the telegram
'The clerk tore off the envelope and
handed me the dispatch. 1t read:
''Be at the gardens at . tonight.
VII"
1T Is a liev' exclaimed billiard.
"You are deceiving me-"
I'VE will go to the gardens and see
for ourselves"
There was an open air concert at the
gardens. the guests strolling about a
pagoda where the orchestra played
The lights were few, but very bright
Consequently there were brilliant spots
interpreted with dark ones. The two
friends passed back and forth with the
throng, keeping their eyes open the
while. Presently they espied couple
sitting on bench in a recess between
exuberant foliage. They stood with
an electric light pouring its rays full
upon them. The lady In the case turn.
cd her face to hide 1t, but she was toe
late. The two men advanced, ana Hill.
lard cried in voice Of agony:
"Virginiap'
Her companion arose and, stepping
forward. exclaimed Indignantly:
Gentlemen, what means this intru.
sionY'
ut may be an intrusion" Hilnard re.
piled. "but 1t Is justified. The lady you
are escorting was to have married me
within few weeks"
The woman gave billiard a beseech
ing look, while his friend Bisbee took
him by the arm and tried to lead hin
away. But he world not CO. Raising q
walking stick he held in his hand. he
brought 1t down on Connors skull
Conner replied in kind. A crowd gath
cred. policeman rushed to the scene
and the party Of four were arrested.
"Foolr' exclaimed Hilliard to his
friend. "Now it must all come out
and we shall have to pay for playing