Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1917-12-12
Clever Ruse

the floor, one hand on his hip while
the other stroked his glossy hair. The
mayor and his wife watched anxious
ly for sign of hope on his inscrutible
face.
Finally he stopped before the
mayor. 'There's only one thing to
do. Give up speaking engagements and
take a complete rest"
Impossible! Don't you under
stand, doctor2 I can't give up now.
The promises I made to my party are
just half fulfilled. 1t will take an
other term to complete the work I've
undertaken. If don't get out and
fight for reelection I'll lose. You
must give me something so can
speak at the rallies this week. Haven't
you anything that will tide me over
until after election?"
The doctor shook his head hopeless
1y. ''There's nothing I can do for
you now. The least strain on your
throat in its present condition is liable
to cause the entire loss of your
voice." g a-~s 80,
The mayors wife grasped his arm
p,eadingly. "Oh, Robert, why don't
you give up this campaign? Withdraw
from the contest and take vacation.
The last two years have brought one
worry after another, and you're just
a nervous wreck. Won't you give 1t
up for my sake?"
you're asking too much, Julie"
But he patted her hand tenderly and
his voice shook with emotion. "Ihis
has been the one big thing in my life,
being mayor of this beautiful city of
ours. I owe it to myself, as well as
to those who helped to put me here, to
keep my position until I have fulfilled
all my pledges"
"Isn't there anything I can do to
make you give up this foolish idea?
If the people want you they will elect
you without all this campaigning" But
she knew different, and she could not
put conviction into her voice.
The mayor sank back in his chair,
wearily. "It's no use, Julie, I've
made engagements to speak every
night until election. I must keep
them"
The next night the mayor arrived
home tired but happy. 1t had been a
rousing rally and the crowd applaud
ed generously when he finished his
speech.
Upon the hall stand he found a
note addressed in his wife's hand
writing:
Dear Robert: I am attending the
bridge party at Mrs. Eastman's. Don't
wait up for Julia.
CHANGING at his watch, he figured
that he would have time to walk to
Mrs. Eastman's and escort his wife
home.
He arrived at the house just as the
players were about to leave, but not
seeing his wife he singled out the
hostess.
'Hasn't my wife been here this eve
ming? She left home with the inten-
ton of coming"
'I was speaking to her on the tel
ephone about six o'clock, and she
promised to be here, but she did not
come"
1t was not long before everyone
present knew something was wrong
about Julie. The gossips had some
thing to talk about, and had the mayor
but asked, they would have suggested
many a place that he might look for
his missing wife.
No sign of Julie was found oil
night, and by the next day the whole
city was aware she was missing. The
newspapers had her name in big head
lines, some suggesting that she had
wandered off in delirium or been abb
Quoted by white-slavers; one even
hinted that she had eloped. The fol-
lowing notice appeared in oil the pa
pers: 81 hereby give notice that !
will cancel all engagements until as
sured of the safety of my wife. Signed,
Robert Wheeler"
The days passed, and not q word
was heard from Julie. Even the thou
sand dollar reward offered for in
formation leading to her discovery
brought no results. The mystery Of
her disappearance was the main topic
Of conversation throughout the city.
Everyone extended the greatest SYM
pathy to the mayor.
In the meantime his chief opponent
was working hard to win the elec-