South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-15
HOW THE MYSTERIOUS
STRANGER REAPPEARED


STRANGER REAPPEARED
After Lillian and / had left the
little hat shop where. remembering
Dicky's behest 20 disregard the price,
I had spent $50 for an autumn hat.
saw no more of the man who had
so annoyed me y his'scruuny.
Lillian babe me goodbye at the
door OF the hat shop.
You don't need me any longer.
do you?" she asked, now that the
hat question is settled ?"
NO, no. Lillian" l returned. and
I am awfully grateful TO you for
giving me 50 much Of your time"
Never mind the gratitude" Lii
liam said. anectionately patting my
shoulder. Il needed 70 get out any
way. I've been grinding pretty
steadily the last two or three days.
But I'm up TO my ears in work, so
If you don't need me any longer I'll
run along now. Can't you lunch
with me Wednesday before you 80 to
your Study club when you come for
the hat?"
Impossible" / returned. Il have
to see that Mother Graham is en-
sconced comfortably in the hotel
preparatory TO our trip. IN run over
from the train Wednesday, forenoon,
as soon as l get in. get the hat.
primp up a bit, and then hurry over
10 Mother Graham at the hotel.
It'll Wednesday. then" Lillian
said, good bye"
The Stranger Appears.
/ had quite a long list in my purse
Of small purchases 10 be made Katie
was to be married Wednesday morn
ing Dicky was to take his mother
10 the hotel that same forenoon.
was to address the Lotus Study club
in the afternoon, and Thursday
morning Dicky and 1 were to start
for "A weeks fishing in the Catskills.
knew that 1 would have no time
TO come in again before Wednesday,
50 I had a comprehensive list of all
the errands l wished to do.
At last even the smallest item on
my list was attended 10. and. wearied
as only shopping can tire a woman,
I went over 10 the railroad station.
In my hurry OF departure in the
morning l had forgotten my mileage
ticket, so that I had to go to- the
ticket Office to purchase a ticket to
Marvin.
had forgotten all about the man
who had annoyed me in the recep-
tion room Of the Sydenham, and the
little English tea room. so when I
turned from buying my ticket to find
him standing near enough to me to
have heard the name of Marvin, 7
was startled and terrified.
He did not once glance toward
me, however, but strolled away
quickly. as II in finding out the name
of my home town he had learned
all he wished.
I was thoroughly upset as I hur-
ried to my train, and all through
my hours journey home to Marvin
the thought Of the man troubled me-
What was the secret OF his persistent
espionage? The condolences of the
day had been too numerous for me
10 doubt that the man was following
me around with the intention of
learning my identity.
Lillian had strengthened my
oris.na belief that the man was no
ordinary "masher." Indeed. If he
had been. I felt that the problem
OF getting rid of him would have
been simpler
When the train stopped at Marvin
I was aghast to see the mysterious
/ stranger alight from it hurriedly and
90 into the waiting room of the sta
ton. I thought I saw his scheme
From the window OF the station he
could see me as 1 alighted. and either
ascertain my identity from the sta
ton agent or from the driver Of
whatever taxi I took.
Madge Is Reticent.
I had only felt terror OF the man
before. but now I was thoroughly
indignant. THE thing has gone far
enough" I told myself grimly. In
stead Of getting off the train passed
10 the next car. resolving 20 stop at
the next village. Crest Haven. and
take a taxi home from there.
The ruse succeeded As the train
sped on toward Crest Haven I had
a quiet little smile at the way I had