The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-08-10
A MONTH TOO EARLY
BY DEAN CARRUTHERS.

Cicely Meredith re-read the letter
from the manager of the Pebble Beach
hotel. 1t informed her that her appli-
cation for position as hotel stenog-
rapher had been accepted and that the
salary would be sixty dollars a month
with board.
Please report for duty May 49, 1t
ended
The Pebbleton station was perched
on rise of ground and from it road
slanted down to the sea. There was
a board walk along the beach and
several great caravansaries lifted their
bulk above the high-water mark.
I want to go to the Pebble Beach
hotel explained Cicely to the station
master. isn't there stage or cab
to take me there?"
He shook his head.
You can walk it easy, miss. It's
that last hotel on your right There,
hear that thunder You better wait
here or run"
I'll rum" said Cicely as she scurried
down the road.
She hated thunderstorms and so she
fed before this one like thing pos
sessed of great fear. It was with
shortened breath and throbbing heart
that she reached the last hotel and
ran up on the broad piazza.
A jagged flash of lightning streaked
the gray sky to the horizon
"MorouDv noptoa C;ooJxy hor h,-d
on the front door knob But it refused
to yield to her touch, so she hurried
around to the western wing of the
hotel and discovered another door.
The door was slightly ajar and she
pushed it wide and then closed it.
She found herself in small Office,
desolate and untenanted. The closed
desks and the safe were covered with
last years dust There was a curious
feeling of loneliness about the place
that frightened her.
is anyone here?" asked Cicely.
But another crash of thunder shook
the building. ooh, DEAR" she cried,
in panic of fear what shall I do?"
While she quivered there, she heard
another sound-a sound of footsteps
echoing through empty rooms.
She opened one of the desk draw
ers and CROPPED in its dark interior
Her fingers closed on something cold
and hard. 1t was revolver. A feel
ing of security stiffened her courage.
And then the door opened and closed
again and another presence entered
the hall.
The man stared at her in open-eyed
amazement He was young and trim
with dark, clean-cut face, fine eyes
and a humorous mouth
It'll shoot" she threatened in q
small voice.
please DON'T" he said lightly.
Then she added menacingly, TITS
loaded"
Then don't point it at me-" he said
sternly. Don't be frightened / be-
lieve you're the very person I'm look
ing for. Are you Miss Meredith"
yes" said Cicely, lowering the gun
I'm Harry Charlson," he explained
"My fathers been away from his Of
fee for week and just returned this
morning. On looking over his mail,
he found your letter saying that you
would report for duty here On the 18th
of May. You are a month ahead Of
time and SO father sent me down post
haste to bring you back. The car
penters and cleaners are in charge at
present and some of them are rather
rough characters We were worried
about you"
But" protested Cice1y, "Mr. Charl-
sons letter distinctly stated May IS.
Mother and I wondered about it." She
took the letter from her bag and gave
1t to him.
Its one on dad all right he
grinned HE meant June Is. When
l couldn't find you l supposed you'd
discovered your mistake and gone
home. was going around by the sta
ton to inquire I came down in my
motor. Where were you hiding?"
Cicely explained her adventures dur.