Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-23

TO chat with the clerks in the outer
office, and. fearful of your displeasure,
they are shielding her absence"
Miss Dickson is not that sort re-
torted David hotly. ''She is quite free
to come and go as she chooses. but
but His face was quite pale now.
and the amusement died out OF Fan
ning's Sleeful countenance.
Just let me look around her office
I'm something of detective. sou
know. Perhaps | can solve the myS-
terry
Go ahead. my dear boy. or course
there is solution 10 the myst-proh-
lem OF her disappearance. but I'm too
stupid to work 1t out now.'>
"Too rattledr commented Tanning.
with Il keen glance at his friend.
TillotSon had turned back TO the win
dow and was staring at the wall Of
the opposite building with unseeinG
eyes.
Have | your permission to investi-
gate in all departments" asked Fan
ming briskly.
Yes. Anything Only find herr
"Ye gods" muttered Tanning as he
entered Miss DickSons office. MY
good David has struck the greatest
mystery in the world IL he only knew
It. Poor beggar! Woman and her
reasons for doing things.
Now. let me see. Letters all typed.
handkerchief on floor and hat on nail.
These are my ciewS. Let ne think
and prowl and. ponGer!'
An hour later Egbert Tanning ceas-
ed his trotting - and fro from office
to Office. frcin room to corridor and
back again.
He came into David'S presence mon
ping his heated brow with a snowy
handkerchief and wearing a trium-
plant smile.
well. what luck?" asked David.
turning around.
Mystery is solved" said Tanning.
You're at the bottom OF it. Tilotson."
me? How?" stared the other
in the first place. for your careless
methods in trying to maintain two
lines of thought at one and the same
time. When a man is debating under
such circumstances there Is every like
lihood that his lines of thought will
become crossed and emit electric
sparks that are
"Cut out all the funny business, Fan
ningr' interrupted David. Cant you
see that r.
"Of course any one can see that you
are ridiculously in love with that pref
ty, shy Miss Dicksonw put in Fan
ming. otherwise why should you die
tate three out of ten letters TO her to-
day and open them with Dear Elsie
instead of Dear Sir? Answer me
that"
II never was guilty OF such wretch
ed blunders." protested the crimson
Tillotson. But Tanning was quite re-
morseless now.
Listen to the result OF my investi
cations On top of the pile of type
written letters, which / may assure
you Miss Dickson had properly ad-
dressed. was an open letter to you
read it. Here it is:
Dear Mr.. Tlllotson-If you viii take
the trouble to have my notebook examined
by an expert you will learn that for the
past week you have dictated many let
ters which began in very Coffensive
scratched out: David and 'unaccount-
able substituted) unaccountable manner.
Today's experience is more than l care to
repeat: consequently 1 herewith tender my
resignation as your secretary, same to
take effect at once
Thanking you for many courtesies re-
ceived in the past and regretting the ne
cessity for the step very truly yours.
ELSIE DICKSON"
'TmpossibIe, Incrediblew cried Til
IOtson, red with modification and yeX-
alton.
Here is the report OF the expert.
had mercy on you, old fellow. and took
the book to the public stenographer in
the next building. You are convicted
Of ten Dear EIsies' and four Dearest
Elsies.' and may as well confess. Da-
vid. that you called me Elsie twice
How did Miss Dickson get away
my observing herr" interrupt
I'd Tillotson.
II traced that mystery out. too"
,huckled the amateur detective.
Found an empty bandbox in her Of
ice and concluded Miss Dickson bad
ust purchased new hat. which she
wore home. leaving her old one here.
smith, your clerk at the outer door,
low confesses that he was absent
rom his post n half hour this after
loon. and il was during that period
hat Miss Dickson went away. quite
unconscious that her sudden departure
vas to form the nucleus Of one Of the
most interesting mysteries that
II wonder where Miss Dickson
ives" broke in David, pacing the floor
estlessly.
"She thoughtfully left her address at
he bottom OF her letter in case you
wanted to send an apology, dear boy,
md don't forget your hat. David.
'onr motor IS down Mt the curb. and
Tanning smiled as the door slammed
ehind his friend.
'And the greatest mystery OF ii all
) that the beGgar didn't know he was
n love with her all the time" be ex-
Iaimed