The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1909-03-04


trio button, by the aid of matches
struck in quick succession, indicated
uniamiliarity with the apartment into
which the man entered. This was
heightened by the intense and eager
look OF curiosity on his face. that
showed in the brilliant flare as the
electricity was turned on. He saw
his reflection in mirror, and as IL to
reassure himself muttered
Steady, old boy No cause for
alarm. You have seen the master here
pull out on the Night Express and
can take your own time for investiga-
ton You haven't been watching the
young dandy counterpart of yourself
all these months for nothing. You but
reap the just reward of patience and
perseverance.
Now for his belongings"
lie walked around the room leisure.
ly. surveying every article of furni-
ture critically. He fingered before the
dresser, opening and closing the
drawers. Then he stopped at the writ.
ing desk.
What's this?" and he picked up a
telegram
Your presence imperative at a
meeting Of stockholders. Leave by
night express. Crittmore.'"
That accounts FOR MS agitated haste
dropping his keys under the ticket
window, cad just barely making his
train.
AS the man moved, his foot struck
something on the floor. STOPPING he
picked up letter. ITO my lady,
aha!" and he laughed heartily as he
read upon the sealed and stamped en-.
yelope, the name of Miss Hortense
Waring, a noted belle OF the metrop-
oils.
He examined 1t closely, holding it to
tho light; then turning to the picture
of handsome young fellow in frame
on the desk, so like himself that he
might have sat for it, in all gravity he
bowed to 1t with the air of one worthy
diplomatic service.
With your kind permission. my
friend"-and slipping thin bladed
knife under the flap, he loosed it, and
withdrawing the note read:
My Dear Miss Waring: Fate in the
shape Of telegram has, at the last
moment, ordered me away to Chicago
shall be absent n week perhaps
Had it not been a most urgent de
mand, I would never have given III
the mask ball at the Van Ritter's to
night. But my father has made this
a test year as to my power of applica
tion to business, so / must prove my
self. You will recognize how i'm
portant | feel It, when I forego the
pleasure Of seeing you to fulfill this
business demand.
My dear Miss Waring you cannot
know the dreams have woven about
this night, but Fate does not take
cognizance of dreams. Grant me,
pray, permission to see you imme
diately upon my return, when / shall
tell you the part would have taken in
the mask.
The ball will be a great success;
the Van Ritter's as hosts assure thai
my absence viii count as nought, bu
hope you will be kind enough to sent
thought after a would-be participant
that bears a sore disappointment ii
his heart as he journeys away from
the scene of gravity. Sincerely yours
Frederick Langham."
"A budding roIance!" and the MAJ
pursed his lips i\a low whistle. Fur
ther cause for> agitation here" ht
mused as he threw himself back in /;
chair.
There will be jewels galore at tha
ball tonight" and his eyes flashed a!
he thought of them. "The papers hav,
been full Of them for days"
ANY more letters or kilograms
wonder?" and he aroused himself anC
searched the drawers.
Nothing so interesting as this,
and he again took up the letter. Push
ing the chair back from the desk hi
eye fell upon the waste basket. II,
pulled out handful of papers, glanc
ing hastily over them.
Here is the invitation and anothe
note:
Dear Fred: have ferreted ou
Miss Warnings secret. She is going /,
appear as Juliet at the Van Ritter
ball but l am sworn not to tell S,
Z keep 1t quiet as you value my friend
ship.
Nov is your opportunity. Go a
Romeo, act him in earnest as yo,
have been timidly doing thes,
months. Go in to win that night, oil,
friend. and my blessings with you.
81 have chosen Tannhauser, as yol
know, but there is neither Venus no
Elizabeth in my case. simply an
fond of the music. Your friend, Bol
Osgood.'
The man relapsed into meditation
Suddenly his attention was drawn [,
an open book that lay on table.
"'Romeo and Juliet BY Georg
the fellow has gone in to win sur,
enough. He's been learning poetry Il
quote tonight. Here are the marke,