Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-02-17

born,'" quoted Mad Maitland, senti
mentally
Two shall be born the whole wide
world apart"
A piano organ. having maliciously
sneaked up beneath his window. drove
him indoors with crash of metallic
melody.
AS he dropped the curtains his eye
was arrested by a gleam of white upon
his desk-a letter placed there. doubt
less, by O'Hagan In MaitIand's alb
sence. At the same time. a splashine
and gurgling of water from the direc
tion of the bathroom informed him
that the janitor-valet was even then
preparing his bath. But that could
wait.
Maitland took up the envelope and
tore the flap, remarking the name and
address Of his lawyer in its upper left
hand corner. Unfolding the inc!osure
he read a date a week old, and two
lines requesting him to communicate
with his legal adviser upon "a matter
o2 pressing moment"
"Bother!" said Maitland. "What the
dickens"
He pulled up short, eyes lighting.
That's so, you know" he argued
"Bannerman will be delighted, and
and even business is better than rush.
ing round town and pretending to en-
joy yourself when it's hotter than the
seven brass hinges of hell and yol
can't think of anything else.
I'll do it,"
He stepped quickly to the corner OF
the room, where stood the telephone
upon small side table, sat down, and
receiver to ear, gave central a mum.
ber. In another moment he was in
communication with his attorneys res.
idence.
rs Mr.. Bannerman in? would like
to-"
"Why. Mr.. Bannerman! How dc
you do?"
You're looking 100 per cent. bet
ter"
bad, mad word! Naughty"
Maitland, of course"
Been out of town and just got your
note"
Your beastly penchant for econ
orny It's not stamped; l presume yot
sent it, round by hand of the future
president Of the United States whom
you now employ as Office boy. AnC
O'Hagan didn't forward 1t for tina
reason"
Important, Ell? I'm only in for thu
night"
Then come and dine with me at the
Primordial. III put the others off,"
Good enough. In an hour, then
Good-by."
Hanging up the receiver, Maitland
waited few moments ere again put
ting it to his ear This time he called
up Sherry's, asked for the head-waiter
and requested that person to be kline
enough to make his excuses to "Mr
Cressy and party" he, Maitland, was
detained upon a matter of moment
but would endeavor to join them at a
later hour.
Then, with a satisfied smile, he
turned away, with purpose to dispose
Of Bannerman's note.
Baths ready, sor."
O'Hagan's announcement fell upon
needless ears. Maitland remained mo.
tionless before the desk-transfixed
with amazement.
Baths ready, sor!"-imperatively.
Maitland reused slightly,
"Very we'll; in a minute, O'Hagan."
Yet for some time he did not move.
Slowly the heavy brows contracted
over Intent eyes as he strove to puz.
zle it out. At length his lips moved
noiselessly.
Am l awaken" was the question he
put his consciousness.
Wondering, he bent forward and
drew the tip Of one forefinger across
the black polished wood of the writing.
bed. 1t left dark, heavy line. And
beside, clearly defined in the heavy
layer OF dust, was the silhouette of a
hand; woman's hand, small, delicate,
Enthusiastically feminine of contour.
Well" declared Maitland frankly,
II am damned"
(TO BE CONTINUED)