The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-07-03
A
Game Of Bluff
By MILLARD MALTBiE

proposed TO keep house, having serv-
ant to prepare my meals and do the
housekeeping for me. was at my
new quarters receiving my furniture,
which had nearly all arrived and had
been put in place. when lady stood
at the open door.
Dear me-" she said. 81 supposed
you had got moved out by this time
Moved outp'
"Yes; l was told could have the
fiat this afternoon"
"Why, my dear lady, I have just
moved in
"Then I shall have to trouble you to
just move out again"
81 have written lease of these
premises. Here it is"-taking the doc
ument out of my pocket-"fourth floor,
east side.'
"And I have a written lease''-draw-
ing one from her reticule and opening
it-'fourth floor, east side"
The two leases had been made out
in the same schoolboy hand
There has been mistake at the of
fice." I said. I'VE will telephone the
agent to know to whom he intended
to lease the fiat"
"Do so if you like"
l went to the telephone, and the
agent told me that, of course, the fat
had been rented to me. He could not
understand how there could have been
two leases issued. | returned to the
lady and Informed her of the fact.
81 don't care what the agent says.
rented this fat and I'm going to occu-
py It,"
81 have rented it and am going to
occupy it, l reioined.
1 thought l had the advantage of her,
and for moment she looked a bit
abashed, but, recovering, she said:
"We will see about that Since your
furniture is here there will not be time
to get 1t out and mine in today, so
shall be obliged to use yours. Tomor-
row we will make the change"
you are quite welcome, assure
you. There are several rooms, and il
you don't mind being my guest with
out a chaperon, don't"
81 do mind and shall occupy my fiat
by myself. You must leave at 10
o'clock"
Gas my guest must give you din
ner and, my cook not having arrived,
shall be obliged to take you out to a
restaurant"
This staggered her, but not for long.
NO" she said; "to accept your invita-
ton would be to admit that you are
host here. | see that you have the
tableware and kitchen utensils If |
had the provisions l could provide a
meal myself"
'I ordered all that is necessary for
a good dinner, but my cook disappoint
ed me. The articles are here
"In that case l invite you TO dine
with me-"
She lighted up the range and went to
work at once. l did my share by set
ting the table, not leaving off more
than half | should have put on and
opening bottle of port. My guest Tor
host. as she would have it, got up de-
licious dinner and without any of the
fuss and irritation usual to lady cook
When dinner was ready we took our
places at the table opposite each other.
and when we were helped | filled our
wineglasses and raised mine, saying:
ITO your health dear guest"
"You are welcome to my home, Mr..
Impudence"
Notwithstanding the war being waged
between us, we enjoyed our dinner i'm
mensely. | kept up my assurance and
after drinking most of the port made
bold to say:
II am to pay the cook l have en-
gagged IA a month. I'll give you the
place in her stead at f5."
She smiled, but said nothing. Soon
after we arose from the table, and l
insisted on wiping the dishes while
she washed them. She said she didn't
mind smoking, so l consumed a cigar
while handling the dish towel. When
the tableware had been put away we
sat and chatted. I am resolute fel-
low and was determined not to be
driven out At 10 o'clock the lady
said:
II am sorry to seem uncivil to a
guest, but | must ask you to leave
Ten o'clock is my hour for retiring"
And mine," l replied, and, rising,
l went to my bedroom, said "Good
night" and closed the door. The key
was on the outside, and | heard it
turned.
81 am sorry to say to you" the lady
called from the other room, that
am militant suffragist, and it is my
purpose to blow up this house tonight
| have done all l could to save you,
and 1t is not my fault that you go to
your DEATH"
Never was the back bone quicker TAX
en- out of man.
81 beg! | called.
"Too late You would give me away
to the police"
81 promise to keep your secret"
"Swear it!'
i did so. The door was unlocked,
and out I went.
| slept at hotel that night and in
the morning looked in the newspapers