Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1913-06-18
HIS MYSTERIOUS NOTE
BY ARTHUR w. PEACH.

Wen, Corley, WHAT'S the matter |
Something you want to ask for? Go |
ahead" she suggested kindly.
1T isn't about me-" the girl an.
swered hesltatlngly "and don't
know as ought TO say anything about
It; but do like you, and ] don't want
you To-"
Tell me, Corley," the other said,
laying down the book.
"I1l tell you just what II Is. Mr.
Shafner, who comes here, and whom
you are engaged to"
mot quite yet, Corley; l haven't
made up my mind" Miss Leighton
said.
IT'S about him; he has been writing
love-letters to a girl-wonderful love
letters!"
The words were a sudden shock TO
the listening girl II was true she had
not given her promise to Shafner, but
that she loved him she could not deny.
| Il needed but moment to make her
feel that the maid was mistaken.
But you can't know, Corley,
whether he has OF not" she said.
The girl shook her head. Yes, l
do. she said with hrmness. 1--WE seen
the letter. read II with my own eyes!
It's written TO a girl whose name Is
Ruth; it's a wonderful love letter."
Il don't see how It could come into
your possession"
1T didn't" the girl answered, her
head dropping. "A friend got It. He
works at the Frazer Company with
Mr.. Shafner. | don't know how he
'got It; but I'll get the letter from him,
and show you"
"That-that would be best--l am
sure" said Miss Leighton.
It seemed hardly plausible that a
letter Of his could be secured, yet he
might write in an idle moment in his
office, and such a letter might be
found-it might be among his waste
paper, put there because of some flaw
There was a chance, a small one-th'
chance that human hearts must al
ways take into consideration though
there are a thousand against 1t.
Later in the afternoon, the mai'
came in. little fearful, because sh'
was in love herself with the beare
of the note to her, OF what effect l
might have on the beautiful girl sh
served.
One glance told the story to Mis-
| Leighton. It was the same even, char
| acteristic hand with which she ha
| been familiar. 1t began with "Deares
| Ruth" and went on into a tender Low
| letter, brief but full of meaning, an
} made an offer of an engagement fo
a the following night.
1t was perfectly plain: 1t was hi
letter. He was in love with some on
it unknown to her; he was even meetin
I her, as the proposed engagemeI
10 showed.
N 60, Corley," she said. mo wal
n did you ask-where this--was found
u Eyes, Fred found it in the vast
II paper basket. 1t was crumpled lit
ID and there was slight mark on it
O. 81 see; thank you. Go, Corle
ID please" she said.
With that note crumpled in h
hand, she 3at down to think, to e
deavor to plan some way to let hi
know-that she knew. He was to c;
=, that evening; he must not.
~ She went to the telephone a.
-, called the office, but as she expecte
MT he had gone with the rest Of the me
90 She found him at his rooms, and
nj. CHEEKY voice answered her questi
N over the wires.
mt Robert, / don't want you to col
tonight; l will tell you why in ne
he shall write you. With it, l shall
NV close another Goodbye"
I'M. But, Marion, VIII"
ing She hung up the receiver, cutti
get off his answer.
es She bravely went to her desk a
zen drew paper in front Of her but
as courage failed under the stress
not had put upon It She thought Of h
die her love for him, her dreams Of b
ege and with him.
Der She was aroused by step in
tut. room, and turning, thinking it v
ork one of the family, she saw him, tc
and ing his hat into chair.
sell your mother said to come up, 8
have, Marion. l want to know W
you meant by what" He came
to her, and she rose drawing aV
the from him; but he was taller,
pos stronger than she, and she felt !
led. fully weak in her defiance. "By W
UNI you said to pe?"
,ofe Read this, and you'll see W
orh ground l had" she answered in
4 !, Vi voice, holding out to him the note
w. He took it, read, it started at
smile, and laughed. Then he eau
,o,,.' her In his arms, and held her. Ills
: 80 dear, l know now. But you are
~ taken. / wrote that note for this
~ son. One of the lads in the DEF
90 ment l discovered trying to writ
"a letter to his sweetheart during
noon hour. He was having
hov time of it, and l offered-kidlike
help him, give him form to use.
o | wrote that out. He wanted to n
4 ~ date with her, he said, and | pl
in, too. Some one brought you
sample copy Of a love letter. tt
all, dear. Were you hurt by thin
r,or that | cared for anyone but you?''
orId She nodded.
Don't you think it would be be
writ. you gave me your promise now