Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-03-16

to Der little handkerchief was sweet
incense TO his critical nostrils.
AS David, unsuspecting bachelor
that he was, did not have an mixing
of the state of his wayward heart, he
could not in the least account for the
violent humping of that organ when
he discovered that the window was
wide open and that Elsie Dickson had
disappeared.
In two strides he was at the window
and peering fearfully down into the
courtyard. Ii was quite empty save
for the janitor's boy. who was sweep
ing the cement pavement.
He drew back and once more
searched the room. but there was no
sign of his missing secretary. With
assumed nonchalance he went into
the outer office and spoke to one of
the clerks.
rs Miss Dickson here?" he asked
irritably.
The man glanced at him in surprise.
why, no, sir She is In her office,
believe. talked with her over the
phone a moment ago
David returned to his own room
more disturbed than he cared to ac-
knowledge. He glanced inside Miss
Dicksons office. but she was not there.
Sitting down at his desk, he hesitated
with the telephone receiver in his
hand
Practical person that ne was, he
could not imagine what had become
Of he ri he baf q
half hour ago she was in her Office.
David found that he could no longer
think clearly, connectedly Mingled
with his uneasiness of what had hap
pened to Elsie Dickson were a vague
terror and an unaccountable depres
sion of spirits.
Suddenly his fingers closed tightly
around the telephone, and he lifted
the receiver to his ear. He called Egg
bert F'anning's number and in five
minutes that astonished young man
was beside him listening to his story.
Its mystery" declared David en-
phaticaily. You show glimmer of
sense now and then, Bert. Tell me
what you think of the matter"
"O-ho--a mystery" crowed Tanning.
My dear David, why stir yourself up
over such a simple matter? The girl
has probably stolen a few moments
| to chat with the clerks in the outer
| office, and, fearful of your displeasure,
they are shielding her absence
Miss Dickson is not that sort" re-
torted David hotly. She is quite free
to come and go as she chooses, but
but His face was quite pale now,
he Of
ning's gleeful countenance.
Just let me look around her office
I'm something of a detective, you
know. Perhaps / can solve the mys-
terry
GO ahead, my dear boy OF course
there is solution to the myst-prob-
blem of her disappearance, but I'm toe
stupid to work it out now"
Too ratified" commented Tanning
with a keen glance at his friend
| Tillotson had turned back to the win
dow and was staring at the wall OF
the opposite building with unseeing
| eyes.
Have / your permission to investi-
gate in all departments? asked Fan
ming briskly
Yes. Anything Only find herr!
"Ye gods!'' muttered Tanning as he
| entered Miss Dickson's office. My
| good David has struck the greatest
mystery in the world if he only knew
| it. Poor beggar. Woman and her
reasons for doing thingsl'
! Now, let me see. Letters all typed
handkerchief on floor and hat on nail
| These are my clews. Let me think
and prowl and ponder,"
| An hour later Egbert Tanning ceas-
ed His trotting to and fro from office
to Office, from room to corridor and
back again.
| He came into David's presence mop
ping his heated brow with snowy