The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-15
HIS MYSTERIOUS NOTE
BY Arthur W. PEACH.

Marion Leighton hooked mp from her
book. a little amused and pushed At
the attitude Of tho maid, who after
thoroughly arranging the misplaced
articles. busting. and polishing. SIN
fingered.
We'll, Coriey, what's the mather!
Something you want to ask for! Go
ahead" she suggested kindly.
''It isn't about me-" the girl an
swered hasitatingly. and don't
know as ought to say anything shout
It.: but do like you, and don't want
you to"
Tell me, Corley,~ the other said,
laying down the book
TIL tell you just what It n. Mr..
Shefner, who comes here, and whom
you are engaged To-"
Not quite yet. Corleys / haven't
made up my mind" Miss Leighton
said.
TITS about him; he has besn writing
lettsrs!"
The words were q sudden shock to
the listening girl 1t was true she had
not given her promise to Shafner, but
that she loved him she could not deny.
1t needed bat . moment to make her
but you can't know. Coriey.
whether he has or not she said.
The girl shook her head. Yes. 7
d." she said with firmness- i've seen
the letter. read it with my own eyes!
It's written to girl whose name Is
Ruth; it's q wonderful love letter."
81 don't see how It could come into
your possessfon~"
at didn't" the girl answered. her
head dropping. "A friend got it. He
works at the Frazer Company with
Mr.. Shafner. / don't know how he
got 1t; but I'll get the letter from him,
and show you"
''That-that would be beet--I am
sure" said Miss Leighton.
1t seemed hardly plausible that a
letter of his could be secured. yet he
might write In an idle moment In his
OllCG, AAu SuIA a ICksCA AhiSAS DC
found-it might be among his waste
pa per, put there because of some naw.
There was a chance, a small one-the
chance that human hearts must al
ways take into consideration though
there are q thousand against 1t.
Later In the afternoon. the maid
came in. 4 little fearful. because she
was In love herself with the bearer
Of the note to her, OF what effect 1t
might have on the beautiful girl she
served.
One glance told the story to Miss
Leighton 1t was the same even, char
acteristio hand with which she had
been familiar 1t began with Dearest
Ruth" and went on into q tender love
letter. brief but full of meaning. and
mades an offer Of an engagement for
the following night
1t was perfectly plain It was his
letter. He was In love with some one
unknown to her; he was even meeting
her, as the proposed engagement
showed.
GO, Coriey," she said mo walt:
did you ask--where this-was found p
Yes. Fred found 1t In the waste
paper basket. 1t was crumpled a little
and there was q slight mark on It.
Il see: thank YOU Go. Corley.
please" she said.
With that note crumpled in her
hand. she sat down to think. to en-
deavor to plan some way to let him
know--that she knew. He was to call
that evening: he must not
She went to the telephone and
called the Office, but az she expected.
he had gone with the rest of the men.
She found him at his rooms, and his
CHEEKY voice answered her question
over the wires.
Robert, l don't want you to come
tonight: win tell you why In q note
shall write you. With It. l shall en-
close another. Goodbye"
But, Marion. VIII"
She hung up the receiver. cutting
of his answer.
She bravely went to her desk and
drew paper in front of her but her
courage failed under the stress she
had put upon 1t. She thought OF him,
her love for him. her dreams Of him
and with him.
She was aroused by . step IN ths
room. and turning, thinking 1t wa
one Of the family. she saw him. toss.
Ing his hat into q chair.
Your mother said to come up. 20 I
have. Marion. want to know what
you meant by what" He came up
to her, and sho rose drawing away
from him; but he was taller. and
stronger than she. and she felt pitt
fully weak In her defiance. by what
you said to mer'
Read this. and you'll see what
ground ! had" she answered In q low
voice. holding out to him the note.
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