The Hartford republican., 1913-07-18
HIS MYSTERIOUS NOTE
eY ARTHUR w. PEACH.

thoroughly arranging the misplaced
articles, busting, and polishing, still
fingered.
We'll, Corley, what's the matter?
Something you want to ask for? Go
ahead" she suggested kindly.
at isn't about me-" the girl an
swered hesitatingly, "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 it is. Mr..
Shafner, who comes here. and whom
you are engaged to"
mot quite yet, Corley; haven't
made up my mind" Miss Leighton
said.
ITS about him; he has been writing
love-letters to q girl-wonderful love
letters!"
The words were 4 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.
II needed but a moment to make her
feel that the maid was mistaken.
But you can't know, Corley,
whether he has or not" she said.
The girl shook her head. Yes,
do" she said with firmness. I've seen
the letter. read 1t 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
got 1t; but I'll get the letter from him,
and show you"
"That-that would be best-I am
sure," said Miss Leighton.
Il seemed hardly plausible that q
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 f1aw.
There was a chance. a small one-the
chance that human hearts must al
ways take into consideration though
there are a thousand against 1t.
Later in the afternoon. the maid
came in, a little fearful. because she
was in love herself with the bearer
of the note to her, of what effect 1t
might have on the beautiful girl she
served.
One glance told the story to Miss
Leighton. II was the same even. char
acteristic hand with which she had
been familiar. 1t began with Dearest
Ruth" and went on into tender love
letter, brief but full Of meaning. and
made an offer Of an engagement for
the following night
II was perfectly plain: It was his
letter. He was in love with some one
unknown to her; he was even meeting
her. - the proposed engagement
showed
Go. Corley," she said. mo wait;
did you ask-where this-was foundf"
"Yes. Fred found 1t in the waste
paper basket. 1t was crumpled q little
and there was q slight mark ON it"
Il see; thank you. Go. Corley.
please" she said.
With that note crumpled in her
hand, she sat down to think, to en-
deavor to plan some way to let him
know-that she knew. He was to call
that evening; he must not.
She went to the telephone and
called the office, but as she expected,
he had gone with the rest Of the men.
She found him at his rooms, and his
CHEEKY voice answered her question
over the wires.
Robert. don't want you to come
tonight; l will tell you why in note
shall write you. With it. l shall en-
close another. Goodbye"
But, Marion, VIII"
She hung up the receiver, cutting
OF his answer.
She bravely went to her desk and
courage failed under the stress she
had put upon 1t. She thought of him,
her love for him. her dreams of him
and with him.
She was aroused by . step in the
room, and turning. thinking It was'
one of the family. she saw him. toss.
ing his hat into q chair.
"Your mother said to come up. SO
have. Marion. / want to know what
you meant by what" He came VI
to her. and she rose drawing away
from him; but he was taller. and
stronger than she, and she felt pitt
fully weak In her defiance. by what
you said to met"
Read this. and you'll see what
ground had" she answered in low
voice, holding out TO him the note.
He took It. read. It started at her
smile, and laughed. Then he caughi
her in his arms. and held her. listen
dear, i know now. But you are mis-
taken. ! wrote that note for this rear
son. One Of the lads In the depart
msut l discovered trying TO write
letter to his sweetheart during the
noon hour. He was having Q hare
time of IL and I offered