The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1914-07-31
7=ag75151 5511E15a51Sl51s1
TIE DEUCE she DID
BY OPfE READ.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Considering the fact that she was
Young and handsome, she was re-
garded as exceptionally earnest. To
write for a newspaper was her ambi
ton. and all she wanted was chance.
Finally chance came. John Ferron
had been charged with defrauding
building association out of $4,000. The
amount was not large; Ferron was
not a prominent man; the case was
good only for stick full" and it was
given to the new girl The suspect
ed culppit had been placed under
bonds and could be found at his board
ing house, the city editor told her.
She was elated. Instantly she had be-
come a factor of the great city. She
thought of her home in the country,
the duh life, the daily complaint of
the neighbors, the dead eternity of
Bon-eventfulness.
Ferron was in his room when
servant brought a card bearing the
udlHt VA iva A'iIiitA4' ii']S 'tNS
all; uothing to indicate her business;
but at this Ferron took fright, sup
posing that she might be another one
of those "defrauded" home-seekers
He sighed distressfully and, with the
resignation which comes when some
times we have reached the limit OF
calamity, he told the servant to let
her come in. The visitors fresh and
engaging face for moment drove
calamity back into the dark corner.
Ferron Topped out of his chair and
invited her to sit down. She did,
with smile, glancing about the
room, at the cheap books on shelf,
at the picture of boy at we'll,
drinking out of an old oaken bucket;
at stuffed owl on a bracket, and
then she looked at Ferron. She had
expected to see an oldish man, lean
and foX-llke She was surprised TO
see a young fellow, curly of hair and
handsome.
I'm afraid I've come on unpteas-
ant business" she said.
He smiled NO matter what your
business may be, your coming is pleas
ant he replied.
Thank you"
Not at ALL"
For a time they sat looking at each
other. He cleared his throat. i be-
fieve you said something about I'M
pleasant business"
Yes | am reporter, and
rs that so unpleasant? If 1t is,
why don't you quit it?'
''Oh, reporting isn't unpleasant
Ms charming. But have come to
interview you"
Interview mel have already been
interviewed by justice of the peace
and have been bound over All! what
do you want me to say?'
oh, Just anything. You might
well, say something to defend your
self, you know"
But that wouldn't do any good.
am already halfway condemned
But it might keep you from be-
ing condemned the other half.
He leaned back in his chair and
laughed. She laughed too, and then
she told him that he did not look
guilty. He thanked her and replied
that he was not She was pleased to
hear It, she said; she had not expect
ed to get a confession out Of him, and
thanked him for his confidence IN her
But suddenly she looked serious. on
but that wasn't confession she
said 1T was simply an assertion,
Poodle don't confess except when they
acknowledge that they are guilty. l
don't know what have been thinking
about. But you know woman does
not believe man guilty If he IS
agreeable. Only the disagreeabie
men are guilty
THE man who is disagreeable to
women ought to be condemned on
general principles-or, rather, on
general unprinciples," he replied; and
they both of them laughed, and she
wondered what time it was. He said
tnat IL wash ldlo, ioohAh6 49, 1
watch: but she declared that she must
be going, dropping into that serious
mood which, in the office, had caused
surprise, With this man, however,
she could not long remain serious.
There was something about him that
made her smile. She knew that he
might possibly be on the road to the
penitentiary, for the justice OF the
peace had bound him over; but, some
how, she felt glad whenever she
looked at him. Was he humorisi
set in silence to cause laughter? i
must really CO." she said, getting up
He did not arise.
Must you go?" he inquired, with
soothing regret in his voice. And ther
he added: when are you coming
back?
Coming back! | didn't say that
was
ct know you didn't. and that's tbs
reason | asked you.
She laughed. 1t was tmpudent O
him, but somehow, it pleased her
why should come back"
TO get a detailed statement whei
prepare IT,"
~Oh, are you going to do that?