The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-10-24
Copyright 1908 by Thomas n. Mckee.


vALcoTT HARRISON, jun Tor partner in
M the firm of James Harrison, New
York. extensive dealers in Mexican
mines, was returning that afternoon
from a business trip to Philadelphia.
He was in a hurry to get back, for his partner
James had gone to Mexico on deal, and wire
from him might at any time.
As Harrison sat waiting for the train to start,
girl entered the and took seat the opposite
side and some distance from his. AS she passed
Harrison looked up. "A charming face he COM
mented to himself, and returned to his paper.
It had been a dull day in the market and there
was not much in the Mexican news except report
Of big strike in the Con Amore mine hitherto con-
sldered an undesirable property. Harrison held
Few shares OF the stock which he had taken in a
trade but not enough to make the report more
than mildly exciting. and he found himself glancng
again at the girl
''She looks troubled" he thought. 81 suppose
even pretty girls have their worries wonder
what hers is" He smiled. Perhaps her dress
maker has disappointed her.
The train under way now. The girl took a
letter from the dainty leather bag which hung
her arm.
Scotch granite paper" nodded Harrison ap
provingly. IT like that kind
She read the letter through and he saw that
she breathing quickly.
'she must have an exciting correspondent"
thought Harrison. mo! by Jove, she is sending it
away" ne CALCULATED as the girl took a stamp
from her purse and affixed it to the envelope
looking listlessIy out the window, oblivious of
her surroundings.
ST wonder why she did not seal it," thought Har-
rison. II suppose she wants to read it again be-
fore she mails it. On the whole, glad am
not tie man to whom the letter is going. 1 do not
believe that it contains pleasant news for him.
Perhaps 1t isn't man though; but I think it Isl
He tried to read, but found himself constantly
wondering what in the letter and glancing at
the girl who sat looking so Hstlessly out of the
window.
When the train was nearing Jersey City she
herself. and taking the letter out. read it
again. Then she thrust it back into the envelope
which she sealed hurriedly. AS the train pulled
into the station she stood holding the letter her
hand. and it seemed to Harrison that there
desperate look in face when she turned to leave
the car. Just she reached the steps some one
jostled against her and the letter fell out of her
hand almost at Harrison's feet. with the addressed
side up He stopped to get it and there on the
envelope, in plain letters that he could not help
seeing his name and Office address.
For a moment he eyed the letter in speechess
Armament, and then, quickly recovering himself.
he picked 1t up as the girl turned.
II think you dropped this" he said holding it
out.
''Yes. thank you she murmured taking it s1>i
looking at the letter rather than at him.
In moment she walking through the
station glancing about her uncertainty she went
"She expects some one to meet her., thought
Harrison What the deuce is she writing to me
about?"
Suddenly the girl seemed to what she was
looking for and walked quickly to letter box in
corner of the station.
"she is going to post my letter." calculated Har-
rison In suppressed excitement.
The girl lifted the iron flap of the box, and hall
Inserting the letter in the slit, held it there and
stared at it, her face picture of contendng emo
tions. Suddenly flood of color surged into heI
cheeks. She snatched back the letter and fairly
from the box. The iron flap came down with
bang that made Harrison jump.
"Confound 1t! ! am nervous letter. ne
muttered impatiently. What do I whether
she posts it not? The first thing know she will
watching her.
But the girl had no eyes for him. She walked
rapidly toward the ferry and went aboard the boa
without backward glance, and Harrison mechan
ically followed her.
AS the craft sped across the busy North Rive
she stood leaning against the rail- looking vaguel
back at the dying sunset pathetic picture of lon,
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