The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-08-07
CHAPTER II.
The Bio ASSIGNMENT.


Kitty Gray did not go to her usual
place for luncheon that day. Instead
she hurried into a nearby delicatessen
shop and bought a sandwich. which
she put in her handbag. After this
she hurried on back to the office Ar
rived there. without ceremony she
went again to the desk Of the city edi-
tor, and silently laid down before him
her empty purse. her antique fan. her
sandwich and her broken coin.
I Cutler looked up with professional
calm.
Eyes, Miss Gray? Why all this or
Iderly array Of fresh and interesting
ob3ects?"
That is my story" said she.
what makes you think so? Are
you seeing things. Miss Gray?"
Look here"
Kitty picked up the coin and showed
It to him.
See, 1t is broken quite across-more
than third OF 1t gone. The inscrip-
ton is Latin. 1t Is not so much what
Is on the coin-it is what Is OF Of It.
Perhaps it commentaries something"
Commentaries what. Miss Gray?"
"PrecIsely-what? That's the story"
by Jove." Cutler was studying at
the inscription. Sub means under
what does it say?-under the bam-
boo tree?'"
NO. under the sidewalk or the
'flagstone.' or floor"
Underneath the hagstone' or
pavement or 'foor-in the angle or
'corner'-whatever that may be
chamber OF torture'-'room Of tor
whatever It is-'there will be
found treasures'-of the king'-'of
-"
"-'of Gretzhoffen! concluded Kit
ty Gray You have not forgotten all
your Latin. have you, Mr.. Cutler?
There is a story for you-If we can
only dig II out. There'd be an assign
ment, wouldn't there? I'd rather do
that than society in the summer
time"
Billy Cutler, time-tried news man,
grown thin and grim and gray In the
business, sat for just one moment in
thought. Wait a minute, please,
said he at length, and rose to leave
the room.
Kitty did wait anxiously enough, for
what reason she could not tell, She
sat at her own desk. the mysterious
broken coin tight clutched in her
hand. 1t seemed an hour before she
saw the slender form Of the city edi-
tor returning from the door which led
to the Office OF the manager and pub
Usher OF the Evening Star. He looked
at her thoughtfully as he approached.
He held out check.
Three thousand dollars!" Kitty
Gray's eyes grew larger.
Expense money. Three months
vacation. Full powers as missionary;
plenipotentiary Of the Evening Star
to Gretzhonen, ambassadress to any,
old place you happen to think Of.
Miss Gray. I never knew the old man
to go OF his head before. but he has
this time"
Tugging at her heart the swift feel
ing that she was leaving her usual
modest and safe line OF life to ad-
venture upon something perhaps fate
ful-perhaps indeed fatal-Kitty Gray,
sober.faced. turned from the door OF
tho Evening Star and walked slowly
toward the corner where customarily
she took her car for home.
She entered her apartment. cast one
glance about the arst little room, and
then paused.
The rug in the hall was turned over
at one corner-was 1t by accident?
The pictures all hung on the walls,
yet several were nskew. and-the lit
tie wallsafe back Of one OF the pic
tures-which had held some small OBJ
jects Of little value, an old daguerreo-
type or two. some silver spoons. 2