Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-02-03

T.llotson bad turned back to the win.
dow and was staring at the wall OF
the opposite building with unseeing
eyes.
"Haye your permission to investi-
gate In all Departmental" asked Fan
ming briskly.
eyes. Anything. Only find her"
"Ye gods!" muttered Tanning as he
entered Miss Dickson's office. my
good David has struck the greatest
mystery In the world II he only knew
it. Poor beggar! Woman and her
reasons for doing things!
"Now, let me see. Letters all typed
handkerchief on floor and hat on nall.
These are my clews. Let me THINK
and prowl and ponderP
An hour later Egbert Tanning ceas-
ed his trotting to and fro from once
to Office, from room to corridor and
back again.
! he came into David's presence mop
ping his heated brow with a snowy
handkerchief and wearing a trium'
plant smile.
"Well. what luckT asked David.
turning around.
Mystery Is solved" said Tanning.
"You're at the bottom Of 1t. Tillotson."
"Me? HowY stared the other.
I'm the first place, for your careless
methods in trying to maintain two
lines of thought at one and the same
time. When a man is debating under
such circumstances there is every like
lihood that his lines Of thought Will
become crossed and emit electric
sparks that are
"Cut out all the funny business, Fan
ningw interrupted David. Cant you
see that r.
"Of course any one can see that you
are ridiculously in love with that pref
ty, shy Miss Dickson" put in Fan
ming. otherwise why should you dc
tate three out Of ten letters to her to-
day and open them with Dear Elsie
instead of Dear SirY Answer me
that"
~ never was guilty Of such wretch
ed blunders," protested the crimson
Ttllotson. But Tanning was quite re-
morseless now.
"Listen to the result of my invest-
cations. On top Of the pile OF type
written letters, which ] may assure
you Miss Dickson had properly ad-
dressed. was an open letter to you l
read It. Here 1t Is:
Dear Mr.. Tillotson-H you will take
the trouble to have my notebook examined
By an expert you will learn that Tor the
past week you have dictated many let.
ters which began In very Conensive
scratched out; David and 'unaccount-
able substitute0 unaccountable manner
Todays experience Is more than care 10
repeat: consequently ! herewith tender my
resignation as your secretary. same 10
take effect at once.
Thanking you for many courtesles re-
ceiyed in the past and regretting the ne
oessity for the step. very truly yours.
ELSIE DICKSON"
impossible! Incredible!" cried Til
lotson, red with modification and vex'
alton.
Here Is the report Of the expert
had mercy OH you, old fellow. and took
the book to the public stenographer 10
the next building. You are convicted
Of ten Dear Elsies' and four Dearest
Elsies,' and may as well confess, Da-
vid. that you called me Elsie twice
yesterday
"How did Miss Dickson get away
without my observing herr? interrupt
ed Tillotson
~ traced that mystery out. too
chuckled the amateur detective.
"Found an empty bandbox in her Of.
fee and concluded Miss Dickson had
lust purchased new hat, which she
wore home. leaving her old one here.
Smith, your clerk Mt the outer door.
now confesses that he was absent
from his post n half hour this after
noon. and It was during that period
that Miss Dickson went away, quite
unconscious that her sudden departure
was to form the nucleus Of one Of the
most interesting mysteries that
~ wonder where Miss Dickson
livesw broke In David. pacing the floor
restlessly.
"she thoughtfully left her address at
the bottom Of her letter in case you
wanted to send an apology, dear boy!
And don't forget your hat, David.
Your motor Is down at the curb, and
Tanning smiled rs the door slammed
behind his friend.
"And the greatest mystery Of 1t all
b that the beggar didn't know he was
IN love with her all the timer he ex-
s1ofunoI