Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-12-07
Number 1923
Palisade
By JOHN HOPEWELL
Copyright, 1917, by Associated Literary Pre-,

After luncheon Paul Enslow re-
turned to his office and prepared to
PICK up the loose threads of CORE
spondence that had been dropped
with the Ginning Of the MONDAY
clocks
Letter after letter was read and
considered, and then either laid aside
10 be answered when his stenog
rapher returned or tossed into the
ming basket. When his desk was
cleared he drew the telephone re-
ceiver toward him and called num-
Der. AS he waited for reply his
glance fell on scrap Of paper near
the instrument
Call 1928 Palisade" was penciled
on it in Miss Clark's neat hand
writing
When he had concluded a brief
conversation over the wire Paul
Picked up the memorandum once
more.
give me 1929 Palisade, please" he
said.
There was long wait and then a
fearful feminine voice came over the
wire.
rs that you, Paul?" 1t quavered.
YES" he replied, mystified.
Well-you know who it Is, don't
you?" The voice was dangerously
near breaking.
Mo- do not" he hesitated.
ooh, dearest please don't be so
stern-and unforgiving- know
it's Mabel
Now, the only Mabel who had the
right to speak thus intimately was
Paul Enslow's married sister, and at
this moment she was supposed to be
in the Adirondacks. Accustomed to
his sisters easily flowing tears, Paul
was not greatly disturbed over her
emotion.
Where are you now?" he asked.
AT Margaret's-of course-please
don't tease, dear"
You know so many Margarets, my
dear, that / am still in the dark" he
returned, patiently. What is the
matter now, Mabel? Has Fido swal-
lowed bone or has Peter neglected
to send his weekly postal card and
you have returned to town to-"
PAUL." in sobbing indignation.
II am still in the dark" he muir
INJURED. YEARLY rs anything serious
the matter-anybody dead?"
"Yes!" she sobbed bitterly. my
love is dead!"
Eth? Not old Peter-why, l saw
him at luncheon not an hour ago, and
he was looking pretty fit. Now, see
here, Mabel. old girl, if you can only
stop that Niagara of tears long
enot III to explain"
Never dare speak to me again!"
cut in the girls voice, coldly indig-
nant and fearless now, and the con-
nection was abruptly severed
Paul leaned back in his chair and
whistled incredulously What i'm
aginary grievance has Mabel got up
her sleeve?" he wondered, uneasily.
Barring Fido and Peter and myself
in the order of mportance-there
isn't a living soul who she has a
right to worry over. What is she
doing in town, anyway"
He lifted the receiver once more to
his ear and inclined his head toward
the tranSm1tter
Number 1928 Palisade, please" he
said for the second time that after
noon aif5..
A servants voice responded
II wish to speak with Mrs Bliss
said Paul.
Mrs. Bliss?" returned the servant,
in puzzled tone. Sure and I'm
thinkin' you've the wrong number,
sorr."
"This is l223 Palisade?"
Eyes, sorr, but there's no Mrs.
Bliss here"
II was speaking to her only a few
moments ago. Will you make in
quiries?"
Il think better call Miss May
nard," returned the girl, doubtfully.
If you will wait moment"
Paul Enslow was left to his own
puzzled thoughts for several mo
'ents. He opened tue telephone =
;toly and found the name of May
nard-Benjamin Maynard, banker
residence 1911 Palisade drive, tele.
phone number 1929 Palisade. So far,
SO good. If Miss Maynard's name
was Margaret she must be one of his
sisters girl friends of that stately
name.
A sweet. low voice sang over the
wire into his listening ear "Yes?"
it said. inquiringly.
is this Miss Maynard?" Paul
is heart II 'uping in most
found IL ,nuI
unaccountable manner
YES" came the reply.
Il am sorry to trouble you, but
ah, am Paul Enslow, and"
"Oh, Mr.. Enslow, l am so glad you
have called up" she interrupted,
hastily. Poor Mabel is broken
hearted and is repacking her trunk
to go home. I'm sure your misunder-
standing can be explained if you will
only come up and see her l won't
tell her that you are coming, and you
take her by surprise and" She
paused significantly.
4 .srThank Won very m,lch Mice Nov