Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1914-03-12

that he was obliged TO repeat II. Muf-
ding the mouth-piece with one hand.
he held long conversation-all In a
mysterious undertone--in the course
OF which he replied to numerous ques-
lions on the part of his unseen inter.
locutor
Followed several minutes OF intent
listening by Barnicle, then he said:
"Mr. Rudolph Is not a gentleman
that shows is feelings, don't y'know.
and that is what makes me sure that
whatever is bothering him is serious.
can tell when anything is a-worryin'
him" And, in q resentful tone: "'E
called me a satire. L as something
on Is mind. so q as. yet o il a-sleepin'
like a 'ealthy hinfGnt"
Another pause.
II understand-some time tomorrow
night. ! was afraid for a while that
could not find an opportunity to call
you tonight; his coming 'ome so early
and unexpected like. don't y'know. and
his being that concerned quite took me
breath away"
Barnicle replaced the receiver as
noiselessly as he had taken 1t down.
and after switching of the lights stole
away to regions best known to him.
self
Next morning, bright and early, Ru'
dolph Van Vechten was seated at his
writing-table, while Barnicle, tall.
| white-haired, cadaverous OF counte-
nance. but extraordinarily efficient
moved quickly about his morning
tasks, and so quietly that the young
man was not aware OF his presence.
Van Vechten was compiling a list
of his friends and acqualntances in
London, together with such names Of
Paige's friends as he could recall. Hav-
ing completed this to his satisfaction,
he next directed his attention to the
composition of cablegram which, he
trusted, would elicit news OF Paige or
Mrs. Devereaux without occasioning
too much comment on the part of the
recipient.
1t was we'll after ten O'Clock when
he finished his labors and departed
The instant the door closed Barnicle
left of what he happened to be doing
at the time. and stood listening to the
footballs growing fainter in the hall.
Presently he heard his masters voice
utter q sharp Down." an ensuing
clank and chatter OF the elevator door
and Barnicle broke into activity again.
Fastening over to the writing table.
he went deftly through q number of
papers. Van Vechten had left sew
eral rough drafts OF the cablegram and
also one or two complete. but badly
scratched list OF names. One each Of
these Barnicle selected. carefully fold
ed and placed in his pocket
In the meantime a taxi cab con-
veyed Van Vechten to the nearest
telegraph office, where he filed the
following message, directed to each
| person on his list:
Have lost my Cousin Paige Carew's
address. She will not write until she
hears from me. Fear she is Ill. Can
you supply her present address?"
He left instructions that all replies
be delivered at the Powhatan, whittier
he betook himself to wait.
Barely had he made himself comfort
able In front OF one of the windows
overlooking the street, when the hall
door again opened. He looked round
and beheld Tom Phinney. Reserving
his greeting until Tom drew nearer, he
was about to turn away again. but
something in Toms appearance and
bearing abruptly struck him as being
a bit cold. He gave the truant a sharp
glance.
For one thing, Toms noiseless en-
trance was in marked contrast to his
customary boisterous arrival; a grave
and thoughtful cast now sat upon his
usually good-humored countenance
and he was contemplating Van Vechter
with preoccupied stare which plain
ly took no note of his surroundings.
Seeming all at once to become aware
of the figure over by the window, Ton
halted. uttered a faint "Hullo, Rudy.
then proceeded to a chair beside Var
Vechtens into which he sank DELHI
Ctately. He sat gazing dreamily int
the street, as inert as protoplasm.
Van Vechten surveyed him from
Z t4ilAN ~ A4lb't ElDNlIb IlDl z anu NOR
] puzzled, as the minutes passed with
out sound or movement from his com
paDion.
"Well?" he dryly broke the silenc,
at last. 1t was an inyigorating show
er We had last night"
A gruut from Tenn was the sole re
Spouse. He didn't even trouble TO lool
around. Then Van Vechten infected
note OF cheeriulness into his mex
speech
But IL has turned delightful today.
"Uh-huh." frCm Tom.
Great Scott" cried the other I'm
patiently 'WhatS the matter witt
you? Are you I'll? Or is It money
or debts?"-although he knew Tom L
be marvelously healthy animal, an
that neither OF the otheftw possible
, ties had power to disturb him in III
j least.
: Tom now slowly revolyed his hea