The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-06-24
A
Game Of Bluff
By WILLARD MALTBIE

ant TO prepare my meals and do tn
: housekeeping for me. l was at IN.
.. new quarters receiving my furniture
which had nearly all arrived and ha'
been put in place, when lady stood
at the open door.
Dear me-" she said. II supposed
you had got moved out by this time.
Moved outT
"Yes; | was told / could have tn,
fat this afternoon.
why, my dear lady, l have jus
moved in
"Then I shall have to trouble you tc
Just move out again"
II have written lease of these
premises Here 1t is"-taking the doc
ument out of my pocket-"fourth floor
east side"
"And | have 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
J fice." I said. 1--WE will telephone the
agent to know to whom he intended
| to lease the fiat"
do so If you like"
went to the telephone, and the
| agent told me that, of course, the fiat
| had been rented to me. He could not
understand how there could have been
two leases issued r returned to the
lady and informed her Of the fact.
II don't care what the agent says. l
rented this fat and I'm going to occu-
by it."
II have rented it and am going to
occupy It," / reioined.
thought had the advantage of her,
and for q moment she looked a bit
abashed. but, recovering, she said:
1--WE viii see about that Since your
furniture is here there will not be time
to get Ii 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. If
you don't mind being my guest with
out chaperon. l don't"
II do mind and shall occupy my fat
by myself. You must leave at 10
o'clock"
'As my guest / must give you a din
ner and. my cook not having arrived,
shall be obliged to take you out to
restaurant"
This staggered her. but not for long.
NO she said; ito accept your invita-
ton would be to admit that you are
host here. / see that you have the
tableware and kitchen utensils. IL /
had the provisions / could provide
meal myself
Il ordered all that is necessary for
a good dinner, but my cook disappoint-
ed me. The articles are here"
'In that case / invite you to dine
with me-"
She lighted up the range and went to
work at once 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-
!icious dinner and without any of the
fuss and irritation usual to lady cook. |
When dinner was ready we took oui /
places at the table opposite each other,
and when we were helped ] filled oui
and raised mine, saying:
ITO your health, dear guest"
"You are welcome to my home, Mr..
Notwithstanding the war being waged
between us. we enjoyed our dinner i'm.
I kept up my assurance and
after drinking most of the port made
bold to say:
Il am to pay the cook | have en-
,aged "A month. III give you the
,lace in her stead at f5."
She smiled, but said nothing. Soon
lfter we arose from the table. and
insisted on wiping the dishes while |
he washed them. She said she didn't
mind smoking. so i consumed cigar
While handling the dish towel When
he Ia bleware had been put away we
at and chatted. / am resolute fell :
DIV and was determined not to be
riven out. At 10 o'clock the lady {
aid: a
II am sorry to seem uncivil to
uest, but / must ask you TO leave.
zen O'Clock is my hour for retiring"
"And mine,' / replied. and, rising,
went to my bedroom, said Good i
light" and closed the door The key
'as on the outside, and I heard it
Irned.
Il am sorry TO say to you" the lady
allied from the other room, that u
m a militant suffragist and 1t is my CT
nrpose to blow up this house tonight. Il
have done all l could to save you, c,
nd It is not my fault that you go to
our death"
Never was the backbone quicker TAX n
1 out of a man.
81 begp' / called.
TOO late, You would give me away
the police"
81 promise to keep your secret"
"Swear itr'
l did so. The door was unlocked.
Id out l went
slept at hotel that night and in
e morning looked In the newspapers
/ an account of the explosion. II
~ not there but during the day my II
rniture went out of the fat, and the
l. n a.. ~