South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-12
The Buffers Plan
BY Frank \. kramer.

bilious only in a social way. yet her
/ husband succeeded in having the
Mason family invited to their re
ceptions.
Margaret, accustomed to hearing
her father speak so highly of Mr..
Shiffen. had formed a secret ad.
miration for him. AT social affairs,
she was overjoyed at the slightest
attention he paid her. Now. on the
himsiest pretext, she would visit the
factory; ostensibly TO come home
with her father. in reality 10 pass
few idle words with the owner.
On one of these calls the subject
of jewelry was brought up, MAJ
| garet giving as a reason for being
I in the neighborhood, she was with
/ a friend TO select a necklace. She
/ infinitely described il. Shiffen sat
in deep thought after she was gone
/ He was imagining the pleasure #
Margaret were she the possessor Of
/ one He arose determinedly "She
shall have it. Let's see? It's
marked il 1928. Solomon handles
4 them"
Margaret was pleased that even
/ ing when her father informed her
/ Mr. Shiffen wished to see her the
next day. 1T might be a present
I she jocularly surmised, my birth
/ day is so near" Her parents only
smiled at her apparent shrewdness.
/ OF course. she would call.
The next morning Mrs. Shiffen
/ was worried. She received a tele-
gram stating that her aunt would
arrive that day, and asking some
one 10 meet her at the depot. An
4 important club meeting prevented
/ her going. She thought of the bu:-
Ter. James Colson.
James" she requested. II wish
/ you would meet Aunt Mary at the
depot this morning. On your way
stop and tell Mr.. Shiffen Of her
1 coming. 1 couldn't get him on thu
| phone. Remind him TO be home
early. as we shall have several
/ guests" James bowed and started
on the errand.
Arriving at the factory, the but
Ter went to the office. He opened
the door and was about TO go in.
when he noticed Shiffen and Mar
Garet talking earnestly. He quietly
stepped to one side, failing to close
the door.
Miss Mason" the manufacturer
was saying. as he took a small
package from his desk. Would
little PRESENT."
Margaret eagerly opened it, "a
necklace!" she said with girlish en-
IT. Lsiasm. Just like my friends.
From Solomon'si And this is for
my birthday? 1 thank you a thou
sand times! 1 must show it TO
father
Yes. for your birthday" answer
ed Shiffen, as though he knew the
exact date.
Margaret in her JOY did not see
| James as she left the office. The
butler only shook his head know
ingly and delivered the message. Mr.
Shiffen being in an excellent humo-
promised to be home early.
The visit of Aunt Mary gave the
wife an opportunity for another re-
ception. At this, Margaret wore
the necklace. Mrs. Shiffen, a con-
noisseur Of jewelry, greatly admired
it. Margaret, no doubt, instructed
| by her parents; had told no one
how she came into possession of t..
She wondered if the manufac-
turer had told his wife of the gift.
strong desire TO know came over
her She was about to question
him regarding il. but her courage
failed. 1t would be delicate query.
She had a way. A note passed 81.
him would solve the problem ami
be less embarrassing. On her pro
gram she wrote.
Does Mrs. Shiffen know you gave
me the necklace?"
Observing Shiffen a moment later
she handed him the program, at the
same time pointing to the hand
writing.
Mrs. Shiffen in passing, noticed
her husband take the program AMI
glance earnestly at il. James, near
by motionless yet lynx-eyed; was
also a witness. Mrs. Shiffen's curl
osity was aroused.
Her husband after reading il,
looked serious, then went to mis-
room. After again perusing it. he
placed the program in his writing
table. Had he looked up, he would
have detected Mrs. Shiffen watching
him suspiciously. James again con-
veniently near, approached AMI
announced the departing of several
guests.
While they were taking leave Of
them. James went TO Shiffen's room.
Cautiously, he read the wording OF
the program. This doesn't suit me
I'll have to change it," he chuckle1
Erasing the writing. he wrote All
entirely different one. on leaving
ne took the key which was on the
inside. ana locked the door.
After the guests were gone, Mrs
Shiffen sought her husband why
did you so stealthily place that pro
gram in your table? And what was
the information that interested you
500 she wanted TO know.
Shiffen was disposed TO treat the
incident as a joke. His wife was
determined. Il will see for myself. 81
she decreed.
James. who had heard il all
thought quickly. II will have L,
I work my plan" he decided. TAX
ing his hat and coat. he hurriedly