The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-02-09
I DIlGKMaIIE0
CKEcKMATED
Shresvd Trick That Saved a
Wonan's Reputation.


After awhile she came hurrying back.
The salesman, Il young man of very
unprepossesstng appearance. whose
clothes had been renovated and cleaned
to the point of responsibility required
by his employers, declared that he had
not seen it, whereupon Mrs. Varian
threatened to send to the Office and
have him searched
IF you do you will bring suspicion
on me and he hesitated, then cast
piercing glance at the lady, perhaps
yourself
Mrs. Varian paled. She remembered
che letters
Madam" said the salesman in a
low tone, when and where can I see
you?'
She cast whitening glance at him,
gave her address, adding: Tonight at
II. Come to the basement. How much
shall l have ready?"
1.-Two thousand dollars"
The lady's heart sank within her, for
she knew she could not raise such a
sum. But she went away without fur
Their effort to regain her property or
to reduce the amount of the blackmail.
About o'clock that afternoon
fashily dressed man stopped at the
counter and while examining some
silks looked up at the salesman with
a surprised expression and asked, care
you George Perks 2"
Il am
I'm Johnny Denico. l come from
the same town as you
Perks admitted Mr. DenicO to claim
acquaintance without protest, listening
to what evidence he had as to his
really being what he represented, lis
tening without even yes or no. When
DenicO concluded, I'm alone in town;
come and have a dinner with me-"
Perks saw something tangible. He
hadn't had a good dinner for years,
and as Denico was willing to pay fol
one he was perfectly willing to trust
to his professions till it was over.
AT o'clock Denico came back, the
clerks swarmed out, and the two new
ly made friends were in the throng
Denico led the way to a restaurant,
ordered good dinner and whil@ they
were waiting for 1t concluded that it
would be pleasanter to have a pri-
vate room, which was secured. When
Perks was we'll filed Denico began to
beat about the bush in a proposition
he said he had to make, but at last
game out plain:
ITO tell the truth, George, this pros
perity of mine is dependent upon a
little game I'm playing. I've got a
scheme for getting in people by a
very ingenious advertisement, the real
meaning of which is thinly concealed.
They don't know they're caught till
they find it costs 'em something. Then
they wriggle, but generally come down
without much trouble. OF course 1
size 'e1n. l don't take all they've got
Now, l want a man
That's your game, is it?'' interrupt
ed Perks. 81 knew from the first by
your looks that you were no acquaint-
ance Of mine and that you were either
going to bunko me or wanted me 70
join you in some confidence game. Mr..
Denico-if that's your name-you've
given me first rate dinner, and on
that account I'll not put the police on
your track, but want to tell you that
I'm an honest man, working for first
class concern and can't be tempted"
Perks drained his glass and, rising,
took his hat from a hook. Then, turn
Ing, he said: "Good evening, Mr.. Deni-
co. The next time you try to do a
man you'd better light on one that
can't see through milestone"
"Sit down." said Denico, with sud
den change of manner and tone.
Perks took fright at once and sprang
for the door. Before he could open 1t
he felt Denico's hand on his collar and
the cold muzzle Of revolver pressed
against his neck. Denico led him back
to his seat and crammed him into it.
"1've failed to fool you as l hoped
l don't like my present method. It's
dangerous, especially in this case. But
won't use that thing" putting the re-
volver in his pocket. 'It's noisy. I'll
try this" And he drew ten inches of
polished steel from his breast pocket.
''This morning a lady left her bag at
your counter. don't believe you have
dared leave it there. l made sure of
you from the time you left the store,
and l believe you have it on your per-
son."
Il haven't" said Perks, trembling.
"You lie! Turn your pockets inside
out"
Perks hesitated a moment, then, re-
alizing that he was cornered, took two
letters from his inside pocket and
threw them on the table. Denico seized
them eagerly, looked at the addresses,
then smiled complacently. Stepping to
the door, he unlocked It and held It
open for Perks to pass out, helping him
with kick that nearly broke his spine.
The next morning he who had passed
under the name Of Denico stood with
Mrs. Varian In her sitting room before
an open log fire.
There are our letters" he said.
why all women who are indiscreet
Instead Of a very few don't get caught
!: don't know. The way women carry
their belongings would wreck a man
:very day Of his life. I've saved us