The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-04-17
TillOtSOn'S
.BiSMyStery
How He Became a
Convert
By cLARIssA MAcKIH

neatly shod feet to the top of his desk
and, leaning his head against the leeth-
er cushioned back of his chair, per-
mitted a smile to trickle around his
straight cut, matter Of fact mouth.
Mystery" he shifted scornfully.
i've often wondered why the diction-
airy makers give that much abused
word any space In their dreary vol
umes. There Is no such thing as a
mystery. my dear Tanning. There is
a perfectly good and entirely simple
explanation for every SO called mys
| terry"
Egbert Tanning smiled In a superior
manner. and. tossing the end Of his
cigar into the waste paper basket, he
calmly proceeded to light another
II must go now" he said. rising and
reaching for his hat, "but let me tell
you, old man. that you may run across
a mystery within the next twenty-four
hours that even your cleverness can
not solve This is not a threat, but
plain. matter Of fact prediction of
what is likely to happen to scoffer
of unknown forces"
Observation-Disclosures tommyrotY
calculated David as the door closed
behind his smiling friend.
Diminishing the discussion of the last
half hour thus lightly. Mr. Tillotson
plunged into his afternoon mail with
a mind untrammeled by thoughts of
perplexing questions. His pleasant
voice dictated letter after letter, while
his quiet little stenographer took down
his words with flying pencil and the
rustic Of turning leaves as her note
book filed up.
THAT is all, Miss Dickson" said Da.
vid at last, and he swung his chair
to the window as the girl passed into
the small inner office that was her
own especial sanctum, The inner of.
fee possessed one window. opening on
the courtyard ten stories below, and
only one door, the one leading into
David Tillotson's private Office
David gwung idly in his chair for
awhile, debating whether he would go
for spin In his fast motorcar or
spend the remainder of the afternoon
at his club.
While he pondered this important
question he was soothed almost to SOM
Violence by the muffied clicking of Miss
DicksOn's typewriter behind the closed
door of her office. Some men would
have objected to the noise of the ma
chine, but not David TlllotsOn He
boosted that he had not nerve In his
big, strong body,
At last he realized that the clicking
had ceased. and having decided to
take ride. he telephoned for his car
to be brought around and then pressed
the button for Miss Dickson.
She did not respond to the summons!
Again he pressed the button. and.
meeting no response from the usually
prompt and buSlnesSlike young won.
an, David went to the door Of her Of
fee and looked in
The room was empty.
The neatly typed letters were on her
desk awaiting his signature Her hat
was on Its accustomed hook, and one
Of her dainty handkerchlefs was on
the floor.
But there was no sign Of Elsie Dick.
son.
David was disturbed He had not
heard Miss Dickson pass through his
office. as she necessarily must in order
to reach the outer door. He was un
usually keen Of hearing and even her
light football would have attracted his
attention. for it was fact that quite
unknown to himself David Tillotson
was deeply interested in the quiet,
dove eyed girl who had so long and
faithfully served him.
He did not realize that many OF his
cleverest transactions had been inspir.
ed by Elsie Dickson. He would have
scoffed If any one, Tanning, for In,
stance. had limited that he was In love
with his stenographer. but 1t was quite
true that her presence always exerted
soothing influence upon her employ
er He felt entirely contented IL he
knew that she was In the next room
and the delicate fragrance that chung |
to her little handkerchief was sweet |
Incense to his critical nostrils.
As David. unsuspecting bachelor
that he was. did not have an inkling
OF the state of his Maynard 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 peerlng 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 search.
ed the room, but there was no sign Of
bis missing secretary. With assumed
nonchalance he went into the outer of.
dee and spoke to one OF the clerks.
rs Miss Dickson hereY' he asked
iTitably.
The man glanced at him In surprise.
Why, no. sir. She Is In her ONCE.
believe. talked with her over the
phone a moment ago"
David returned to his owa room
a 4zeF