The Prescott daily news. (Prescott, Ark.) 1907-1941, 1914-02-10
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.
Well Corley, what's the matter7
Something you want to ask for? Go
ahead" she suggested kindly.
1T isn't about me-" the girl an
swered hesitatingly, "and don't
know as | ought to say anything about
it; but l do like you, and don't want
you TO-"
Tell me, Corley," the other said,
laying down the book
IN tell you just what it 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.
Its about him; he has been writing
love-letters to a girl-wonderful love
letters!"
The words were sudden shock to
the listening girl 1t was true she had
not given her promise to Shafner but
that she loved him she could not deny.
1t 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 it with my own eyes!
It's written to girl whose name Is
Ruth it's wonderful love letter."
Il don't see how it could come into
your possession"
ut 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-I 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, a small one-the
chance that human hearts must al
ways take into consideration though
there are 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 it
might have on the beautiful girl she
served
One glance told the story to Miss
Leighton. 1t was the same even, char
acteristic hand with which she had
been familiar. 1t began with Dearest
Ruth" and went on into a tender love
letter, brief but full of meaning, and
made an offer OF an engagement for
the following night.
1t 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
go, 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"
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, dont want you to come
tonight; l 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
off his anaWar