The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1919-01-23
FATAL ENVELOPE
BY MARGARET D. JOYCE.
copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)


per Syndicate)
1t was Saturday afternoon, and Mar
tina Graham was on her way home at
ter very busy morning in the offics
Of large leather concern. AS she
neared the new tunnel she pouted, Il
don't likethis new way Of going home"
But she later changed her mind.
After depositing her fare in the
slot she started down the stairs. Half
way down she spied an envelope which
was being trampled on by the crowd
AS she stopped to pick it up, the on
rushing crowd would have thrown her
down if young sailor had not caught
her in the nick Of time. She half
stammered, "Thank you" Tipping his
hat he soon disappeared into the wait-
ing train.
A second later Martha remembereG
where she was, and hurried into the
train just before the door closed
AS usual the train was crowded
Martha was about to reach for q strap
when she felt light tap on her Shout
der. Turning, she saw the same young
man who had previously befriendeG
her. He offered her his seat, which
was gladly accepted.
After short ride she reached her
destination, a little furnished room
which she called "home." It WIS not
until now that she opened the envel~
ope which had caused so much COR
fusion. She extracted ticket which
would admit one to the baseball game
that afternoon.
Now Martha had never attended q
ball game, SO she then and there de-
cided to 60, as everyone talked great
deal about this beloved pastime.
She hurriedly ate a meager meal.
which was satisfying to her, as tho
thoughts of attending one Of the world
series games gave her but little az
petite. AS she thought Of the happen
ings of that morning she decided tiaa.
it would have been uneventful without
the helpful sailor. Indeed, she thoughs
of him more than once.
After a great deal Of wasted tinlk
she left the house and proceeded To-
the park where the game was TO BE-
played.
AS she handed the ticket to the zy1aE
she blushed guiltily at the thought Of
cheating some one from a good game
She passed through great deal of
rigmarole, and finally was seated liz
the front row of the bleachers.
Five minutes or more elapsed, ana
Martha, nervously glancing around.
saw her friend the sailor, who in rs-
atty was John Lynn, coming to vs.
cant seat beside her. He very quickly
recognized her, and by the time this
| game started they were chatting mer-
rily.
The game proceeded, and Martha
found herself cheering as Justify az
any of the other fans. She detideG
which side she wanted to win and pvt
all her strength in yelling for them
Finally the game ended, the score In
favor of Martha's choice.
John received Martha's permission to
escort her home. BY the time they
reached there they were like OLD
friends.
AS the weeks passed the sailor ana
the once lonesome girls friendship
ripened into love. But Fate destined
to change this state of bliss. II ca1ne
shortly. John came to see MartAas
and he had sad news for her. His
ship was to sail for service in for
eign waters for the duration OF tIle
war.
Martha bravely bore TIE news 1ntE
he left the house. Then she criess urt~
til her eyes were red and swollen
The next two weeks were occUpEeG
by shopping and getting ready for the
departure.
The night before he went John put
a solitaire on Marthas finger, and 81
Dan Cupid" sounded the cali to a!71lss
ever-ready John and Martha re-
sponded.