The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1911-10-13
A riAing
Mistake
1t Led to Turning the Careers
Of Two Persons Into a
Single Channel.
By ECBERT CROSBY
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

= NOpyTIkNI Dy American ETcSS ASSOC =
citation. 1911. !
444+**4****4*****.+s+***&
Letter carriers are proverbially care.
less In leaving mail at the wrong ad'
dress. or. rather. having so many t.
leave. 1t is a wonder they don't make
more mistakes than they do Careless
ness in the writer has perhaps more to
do with letters being delivered to the
wrong person than either Of these
causes.
One day letter addressed IN IL fem.
tnfne hand was left by the carrier for
me. l opened it and read It, II was
very short and 10 the point:
Ten p. m. Thursday at the fountain Vic.
lets In my belt Hold rose in your left
hand. LAURA.
opened my eyes very wide ana gave
a low whistle. Who could it be who
was making an appointment with me:
Then looked again at the address.
My name is Francis +. Marshall. and
the superscription appeared to he r.
B. Marshall. but 1t might have Ecen +
B. Winchell. l thought over every per
son who might possibly desire to see
me clandestinely. but could fix upon
no one What should do in the mat
ter? Should return the letter to the
postman? Since had opened it. that
would not do ut all. Besides. was
not sure the letter was not for me
Should I keep the appointment and
possibly risk intruding upon the secret
Of others? finally decided to meet
Laura and, If was not he person
she desired to meet. hand her her let.
ter, that she might know 1t had been
missent.
Since there was but one fountain in
town, and that in the center of an
open square. | was not in doubt as to
the place designated for the meeting.
1t was a public place. where strangers
might meet without being especially
noticed. Laura had evidently never
seen me nor ! Laura. else we would
not have to wear some mark by which
to be known to each other
When the clock in church tower
near by the park struck 10 entered
the park carrying rose In my hand,
and, approaching the fountain, stood
leaning upon the basin looking at the
tiny wavelets made by the water
sprinkling down upon 1t. had waited
perhaps five minutes when l saw a
lady advancing with some violets
tucked in her belt. 1t occurred to me
that she was purposely trlfe late
that she might inspect me before |
should be able to inspect her and did
not doubt that she mad got view of
me while l was standing under the
lighted fountain. Az she approached
advanced to meet her. lifting my hat
at the same time. As we walked away
together she said
"Let me explain to you why ! have
arranged this meeting instead Of call.
ng at your office Or asking you to
come and see me. Az you are aware,
Mr.. Lathrop's death without will
has put the estate in a tangle. am
not SO sure that he did not leave a
will in my favor. l am the only
laughter of his favorite brother and
ook care Of him during his last ill.,
less. He said to me on several orca.
'ions: Marion. have made will
eaving everything to you. You will
ind It In the tin box in which ! keep
Ill my papers in the closet Of my bed
'oom.' When opened the box after
he funeral 1t was not there"
This revealed to ME that the letter
ent me had not been intended for
ne. But though am not profess
ional detective l think l have de-
ective's instinct. for in this case so
ar as the girl had impaired 1t to me
thought l smelled rascolity, and its
interested me. permitted
Ter to 90 on.
II saw your personal stating that
'ou had knowledge Of such a will
md would like to see me regarding
he matter. My cousin, Edgar Bangs,
Who will inherit with me under the
aw concerning estates where there
> no will, is a very bad man. Mr..
4athrop lent him money till Edgar
bowed that he was dishonest: then
is uncle turned him off. Edgar may
ave stolen the will in order that l
hall have to divide the estate with
i'm and others. It would not give
I'M very much. but little will be
etter than nothing, and Edgar is in
esperate straits"
1T is your duty" I said, "as well
8 your interest. to do all you can to
revent your uncle's estate from going
there It was not intended. especially
, such person as you describe"
Edgar has suspicion that am on
he track of the lost will and is watch
,g me like cat; therefore didn't
are communicate with you except
Now ! have explained
to you am ready to hear
that you have to say, Mr.. Winchell."
The last word-the name-enabled
,e to get more Of the story in case
hose RI do m without irving awav