The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-04-29


1t was nu!te impossible TO locate the
sound. which ceased almost !inmedi
ntely. Our first thought was that the
telephone men We're drilling a hole
through the wall into my study. Thel
came the sharp rat-a-ta tat once more
Even as we looked about us in Devil
derment the portly facade of Ludwig
the lied moved out OF alignment with
heart reuding squeak and long thin
streak OF black appeared at the inner
edge of the frame. growing wider-and
blacker it anything-before our startled
eyes,
Are yon at home?" inquired voice
that couldn't by any means have ema-
nated from the chest OF Ludwig, even
in his meIiowest hours.
lleaped to thy feet and started across
the room with great strides. My sec.
retary's eyes were glued to the magic
portrait.
by the Lord Harry" I cried. "Yes!"
The secret door swung quietly open,
laying Ludwig's face to the wall. and
IN the aperture stood my amazing
neigbbor, as lovely portrait as you'd
see IN years trip through all the
galleries IN the world. She was smiI-
ing down upon US from the slightly
elevated position. charming figure in
the very latest Partisan hat and gown.
Il am out making afternoon calls. ~
said she. Her face WIS flushed with ex.
citement and self consciousness will
you please put chair here so that |
may bop down."
For answer reached up a pair Of
valiant arms. She laughed. leaned for
ward and placed her hands on my
shoulders. My hands found her waist
and lifted her gently, gracefully to
the floor.
How strong, you are" she said ad
miringly. How do you do, Mr.. Poop
endyke: Dear me, I'm not ghost,
sir!"
How do you do:" be jerked out.
Then he felt Of his heart. My God.
| don't believe it's goingv'
Together we inspected the secret
doors. going so far as to enter the room
beyond. the countess peerng through
after us from my study. 10 my amaze
ment the room was absolutely bare.
Bed. trunks, garments. chairs every.
thing. in fact, had vanished as if whisk-
ed away by an all powerful genie.
what does this mean?" l cried.
turning to her.
II don't mind sleeping upstairs now
that have II telephone" she said Sc
renely. Max and Rudolph moved ev
erything up this afternoon" Poopen,
dyke and | returned to the study.
for one was bitterly disappointed.
I'm sorry that had the phone put
in said.
"llease don't call it a phone" She
objected. 81 hate the word phone"
so do L." said Poopendyke reck
lessy.
glared at him What right mad he
to criticiSe my manner OF speech! He
started 10 leave the room after Il per
functory scramble to put his papers in
order. but she broke OFT in the middle
of sentence to urge him to remain
She announced that she was calling on
both OF us.
please don't stop your work on my
account" she said and promptly sat
down at his typewriter and began
pecking at the keys. lyon must teach
me how to run a typewriter, Mr.. Poop
endyke. shall tie as poor as church
mouse before long. and | know father
won't help me. may have to be-
come stenographer."
He bInshed abominably. | don't be-
iieve I've ever seen more unattrac'
tive fellow than Poopendyke.
"Oh. every cloud has it's silver Tin
ing" said ne awkwardIy.
"But | am used to gold" said she
The bell ON the machine tinkled
"Wh nat do do now?" He made the
SHIFT ana the space for her
60 right ahead. said he. She
scrambled the whole alphabet across
mind.
Isn't it jolly. Mr.. Smart: Ii Mr.
toopendyke should ever leave you
may be able to take his place as your
secretary"
l bowed very low you may be
quite sure, countess. that shall dis
miss Mr.. Poopendyke the instant you
apply tol MS JOB
And | snul most cheerfully abdi
cate. said he. Silly ass.
| couldn't nelp thinking how infinite
~ more attractive and perilOus she
would be us q typist than the excel
tent young woman who had married
the jewelers. clerk and what an inn
provement on i'oopendyke!
81 came down to inquire when you
would like to go exploring for buried
treasure. Mr.. Smart" she said after
the cylinder bad slipped back with a
bang that almost startled her out of
her pretty boots and caused her to give
up typewriting then and there forever
more.