The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-04-18
MABEL'S "
MISSION

most fell down the back stairs in her
hurry to spread the news.
Covington had come to board at the
Bradley's three years before, and
since then no one could recall having
seen the top OF the desk. A little
space in front, just large enough to
write upon, was kept fairly clear, but
for the rest, CovIngton seemed to
take pride in the confusion he main
tanned and boasted that he could fnd
anything he wanted at moments
notice
At the once his desk was scrupu
lousIy neat. but the roll-top in his sit
ting room, used for his personal cor
respondence, was piled high with pa
pers and books.
1t might have continued SO far an
other three years. but Covington was
restless. He found the evening pa
pers dull, the theatrical advertise
menta made no appeal to him, and
books were intolerable.
In his restless roaming around the
room his attention was ttracted by
the desk. and sinking into the chair
he began to clean up. Here, at least
was novel occupation, and soon he
was busily engaged in reading over
old letters and discarding those Of
no further interest.
Mabeps letters. Of course, he kept
in drawer, tho top one with the
Yale lock Well, perhaps It would be
well to clear those out, too Ro-
nance was dead He had written her
the proposal he seemed unable to
make in person, and had added, Il
shall not write again until your an
swer comes" That had been fort
night ago.
His eyes caught a line In an adver-
tisement in theatrical paper that
formed part OF the litter of his desk
Consider silence a polite negative"
it ran. That was what he was doing.
Mabel had not even taken the trouble
to answer.
He viciousIy thrust the paper into
the basket and caught up letter. It
was that check for his tailor. He had
been positive he had mailed that; the
subsequent argument had resulted in
a transfer Of his patronage, yet here
was the check still inside. He was
rather glad that he had commenced
the cleaning up process.
There was another envelope under
! the pile of consular reports. He drew
It out and his face blanched. It was
the letter to Mabel. In some fashion
It had slipped into the tnpgle on the
desk He remembered ~ hsd writ
ten a number of other letters at the
same time when he had done he
had snapped a rubber band about
them and had given them to one OF
the fellows to take out.
What could she think of him? He
had ceased his customary visits and
had not even written He slipped out
of his house coat and into his dinner
Jacket. There was telephone in the
lower hall Perhaps Mabel had not
gone out.
It was her mother who answered.
rather frigidly and with certain note
OF disapproval IN her voice. Mabel
was in, but she was i'll and had gone
to her room, She did not think that
she could see Mr.. Covington.
But Covington was persistent and
in the end he gained permission to
call He found her pale, with nervous
lines In her face. She tried to laugh
ii off but he would not have 1t So
4 have a special delivery letter for
you" be announced. ut should not
have been letter at all, but guess
I'm sort Of moral coward
Anyhow. was cleaning up my
desk at the house tonight and l found
this ! thought It had been sent two
weeks ago"
Letters often go astray." she com
mented as she stretched out her hand
to receive it.
1T was my fault" he said humbly.
you see I've desk up at the house
and I've rather prided myself upon its
confusion. Tonight ! cleaned It up.
just to have something to do, and
found this letter"
Something in his tones conveyed
its import and she slowly broke the
seal and glanced through the con-
tents. At last she looked up.
so that is the reason l have not
heard from you lately" she said. Il
wondered that you forgot the Apollo
concert"
THAT is only one count" he said
humbly. Il did not bring the letter
expecting that you would give the
same answer I hoped for two weeks
ago. just wanted you to see that /
was not quite as bad as you think /
am"
'I did not give it great thought" /"
she said. while the red. flooding her
face. denied her words Il thought
that perhaps you were engrossed in
some important deal"
This is the most important deal
in a mans life" he laughed a little
bitterly. And / have bunsied It,
badly
pity Is akin to love- she remind
cd. "and do you know. Frank. I think
have a mission"
And thaf2" he asked hoarselv