The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-07-28

mood as he dressed for dinner. It
did not take him long to don his Tux.
edo. At eight O'Clock he had half
social. half-business appointment that
he felt would mean one of the best
days work In many moons. John
krampton had, that very morning.
come within a pens breadth of giving
him check to clinch deal for $1,000
worth of wireless stock. Krampton
was one of those men who are led by
easy degrees to the closing of con-
tract. If anything happens to hasten
or postpone the psychological mo-
ment. they are likely to quit nego-
tiations altogether. Barton knew this
and now all that he needed, he felt.
to put the transaction through was
little private chat with Krampton. So
he had invited him to his home.
ANY mail. Henry" he asked mis-
man, when coffee had been served.
Yes, subj" responded the negro.
"One letter for you, subj"
"Pshaw." muttered Barton. "If ever
you live at a place six months they'll
keep sending your mail there for
the rest of your days!"
He tore open the end of the en-.
velope and drew out the paper. AS he
opened the dainty sheet his mock-seri.
GUS scowl changed to an expression
Of genuine wonderment. Carefully he
scrutinized the handwriting. At first
few curves and lines seemed ia.
miliar. but in moment he decided
that If the sender had ever written to
him before. she had doubtless dis.
gutsed her hand in this message. Then
he read 1t again:
Dear Mr.. Barton: There are Jewels al
the foot of every rainbow, but many peo-
pie never find them because they have no
guide to follow. But with you. lucky man.
1t Is different. Directions have been pre-
pared for you. and you must follow them
to the letter. The first step on the road
to happiness is toward the southeast cor
ner OF Belair avenue and Terrace road at
$50 O'Clock Thursday evening Don't fail
to take 1t. Take the Thornwood car.
well. today is Thursday, but it's
not April L." thought Barton. But
this epistle surely resembles some of
the atrocities perpetrated on that
date. What does 1t mean, anyway?
Somebody is either trying to make a
Ounce OF me or else some girl really
has designs on harmless young
bachelor"
Suddenly his surmise ran in anoth.
er direction. Gee whiz! Maybe
there's something crooked back of it?
But, no. that could hardly be, or this
lady wouldn't be Turing me to light.
ed corner only six blocks away from
my own home and hardly a block
from our suburban police station. Oh.
we'll, III worry about it later"
He tossed the perplexing letter on
the table and picked up a paper and
began to read. But none of the head.
lines seemed to interest him much,
and the strange message he had Just
read kept coming up between his
eyes and the printed page. Provoked,
he threw down the paper and looked
at his watch. 1t was Is minutes after
z. Then he glanced at the letter again.
Once more he read it. This time he
decided to take walk.
: 1--we got three-quarters of an hour
and I'll chance it. anyway" he con.
cluded. Maybe I'll find out who sent
me such silly message"
eyes, suh." responded the negro
Barton put the letter into his
pocket, picked up his hat and went
out. Turning down the path, he was
soon outside his own grounds. and in
five minutes was standing on the
southeast corner of Belair avenue and
Terrace road.
Leaning against an electric light
pole, he waited. Several person,
passed, but none seemed to notice
him. In little while he got tired Of
standing like pigeon. and went over
to terrace. There he sat down on q
stray curbstone the sidewalk builders
had left. He glanced at his watch
again. This time the hands pointed
to 1880.
times up" he unused, "and don't
see the first color of any rainbow
Guess I'll go back"
The thought was hardly through his
mind when messenger boy came
with characteristic speed
down the walk toward him. At the
pole the boy stopped. scraped his foot
and looked around. He spied Bar
ton and shuffled up to him.
"Are youse Mr.. Baritone" he blurted
"Surest thing you know" respond.
ed Barton. initiating the boys tone
and manner.
Here's er note for you!" He thrust
an envelope into his hand.
Barton arose quickly. stepped over
to the arc lamp and slipped his fin.
ger under the seal. The note inside
had been written by the same hand
that had penned the letter. There was
only one sentence:
Now go and look under the fiat roc,
beside the gate at the end of Terrace
road.
"By George. but this is getting in.
Barton murmured. "What.
ever the scheme. is there's no doubt
about It being carried out on sched.
ulo."