The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1909-12-14
RUSE OF A FRIEND.

@ CENE-The rest room at Schlesing
y field g. Siegchild's department
store. He enters timidly and takes 9
seat near the door.
He taking = letter from his pocket
and speaking to himself after the man
near Of stage people)-I suppose I'm 9
fool to come in here. It's supposed te
be for women. but want to find Out
and be sure. might have known from
the way she was acting that there was
some one else, and maybe this will prove
it. AS a rule / don't believe in paying
any attention to anonymous letters, but
this one is SO definite and the writer
seems SO we'll acquainted with the facts
that I'm sure she must know both OF us
m positive it was She wrote it, be.
cause it's typewriter. "Opens the let.
t.r and reads again.)
my Dear Mr.. Wallace: 1t may Interest
you to learn that Miss Byrd Is to be in the
restroom at 3chiesingfeld & Segchild's at
1915 on Monday, and that she Is to meet
there young man with whom she Is very
much In love. II you doubt this informa-
ton. just drop in at the hour mentioned
and see for yourself Yours in confidence,
"a FRIEND"
putting letter back into pocket
"Dy George, that's definite enough. |
wonder il nice, self-respecting girl
should make a department store date.
CIR have been deceived? Perhaps it's
just us well that we quarreled. Tothink
that in another two months we would
lave been married! Hello! There
she is-getting out of the elevator!
Coming this why, too! Just as ]
thought. I'll slip out and walk up
through the carpet department until
he has had time to come in and join her.
l wonder if that dyspeptic man with the
war button is the man. Horrible!"
She--lt was Herbert! know it was!
l wonder if he saw me coming. This
proves everything. didn't believe it at
1rst--I couldn't believe it. OF course,
VIC have broken of, and it's just as well
that he should go his way and permit
me to go mine, but couldn't believe
that he was in love with another girl so
soon. think he might have waited at
least month out of common decency.
I'm sure that won't look at another
man for at least six weeks. l wonder
who wrote that anonymous letter.
Some one who knows his secrets-some
man who is his rival for her affections.
It's just like man. To think! came
here, merely to reassure myself that it
Is all mistake, and find him here
waiting. Oh, what an innocent have
been! There may be dozens of them.
Wasn't it to be quarter after IL?
Where is that letter?
(Searches her purse and three pock-
cts. Finds it under her belt. Reads.)
MY Dear Miss Byrd: 1t may interest
you to learn that Mr.. Wallace is to be in
the restroom at Schiesingfie.d & Sieg-
child's at 12:15 on Monday. and that he is
to meet there a young woman with whom
he Is very much In love. If you doubt this
information, just drop in at the hour mem
toned and see for yourself. Yours in con-
lidence,
"A FRIEND"
(Crumpling letter. swell, it's way
past that time, and she isn't here yet.
Or is she? wonder if that blonde thing
writing the letter can be the one. She's
b.eached! You could see it clear across
the street. There's woman l would
mistrust at first sight. She has that
knowing way, and, besides, she's too old
for him. Look at that! She's smiling at
she has written. Iwonder if
it's to him. could scratch her eyes out.
What chance has modest and innocent
girl against bold, bad adventures"
(He enters. Each surprised to find
that the other is not surprised.)
He--I didn't expect to meet you here.
She Cooking hard at the blonde at the
desk in order to see ii anything passes
between them)-I dare say that you
didn't expect to meet me,
He-Ah! May 1 sit here?
She-Certainly. (To herselD His
acting is perfect.
He-Thanks. ITO himself) I'll stick
here until he comes. Then see her
(To her) I'm not interfering
with any Of your plans?
She Not at all. ITO herself) He
wants to get rid of me.
He-I've just been in the carpet de-
rartment. was looking for rug.
She Ito herself)-He is lying about
that rug. He came here to meet some
one. The idea Of man going shopping
Mt noon on Monday!
He Ito himself)-She can't think of
any scheme to hurry me away, and he
may arrive at any moment. (Looks at
his watch.)
She-What time is it?
He-Twenty-five minutes past twelve.
She-Your watch may be fest-ten
or so.
He-That would make it a quarter
past.
She Ito herselD-He is perfectly
brazen about it.
He Ito himself)-She' thinking of
1918.
She-You come here often?
He-Oh, occasionally.
She-It's a cozy little place.
He-Yes, very convenient (meaning-
|y) for meeting people.
She Ito rself)-Shameless! ITO
convenient, indeed (mean-
lngly) for meeting people whom you
would not care to meet anywhere else.
He Ito himself-It's worse than
Ito her) You do happen
around here. then, once in awhile to
meet some Of your acquaintance?
She-Oh, occasionally.