Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1913-09-10
HIS MYSTERIOUS Note
BY ARTHUR w. PEACH.

Marion Leighton looked up from her
book, little amused and puzzled at
the attitude of the maid, who after
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.
'1t isn't about me-" the girl an
swered hesitatingly, land don't
know as / ought to say anything about
It; but do like You, and dont wans
you To-.
TEL me, Corley," the other aaid.
laying down the book.
"IT tell you just what 1t te. Mr..
shafner, who comes here, and whom
you are engaged to"
mot quite yet, Corley; I haven't
made up my mind" Miss Leighton
said
TITS about him; he has been writing
love-letters to a girl-wonderfrl love
ietters!"
|, The words were a sudden shock to
the listening girl. It was true aae had
DOT given her promise to Shafper, but
that she loved him she could not deny.
It needed but 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. 1--WE seen
the letter, read it with my own eyes!
It's written to a girl whose name Ia
Ruth; it's a wonderful love letter!"
81 don't see how it could come into
your possession"
1T didn't" the girl answered, her
head dropping. "A friend got 1t. He
works at the Frazer Company with
Mr.. Shafner. I don't know how he
got it; but I'll get the letter from him,
and show you"
"That-that would be best- am
sure," said Miss Leighton.
1t 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 chance, small one-the
chance that human hearts must al
ways take into consideration though
there are a thousand against it,
Later in the afternoon, the maid
came In, 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
i Leighton. It was the same even, char
acteristic hand with which she had
6been 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.
It was perfectly plain: 1t was his
letter. He was in love with some one
unknown to her; he was even meeting
her, as the proposed engagement
showed.
60, Corley," she said. mo wait;
did you ask-where this-was found?"
"Yes, Fred found it in the waste
paper basket 1t was crumpled little
and there was slight mark on It"
"I see; thank you. Go, Corley,
please" sic 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; I will tell you why in note
/ shall write you. With it, / shall en-
close another. Goodbye"
But, Marion, VIII"
She hung up the receiver, cutting
of his answer.
She bravely went to her desk and
drew paper in front Of her but her
courage failed under the stress she
had put upon it 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 1t was
one Of the family, she saw him, toss
ing his hat into q chair.
"Your mother said to come up, 80 I
have, Marion. ! want to know what
you meant by what" He came up
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 me?"
Read this, and you'll see what
ground had" she answered in low
| lo1l fo III