The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-10-16

lives at the Czronia appears 20 be q
commission merchant on Pearl street
AS the Caronia is one OF the most eie-
CANT and quite the most enormous OF
those small cities within themselves
which we call apartment houses.
take II that Mr.. Robinson is well-to-
do. and probably married. You can
ask him. yourself, II you like. He's
due any moment. now"
Promptly. as beftted a business
man. Mr.. William a. Robinson arrived
on the stroke Of twelve. He was
weli-made. well-dressed citizen Of for
ty-five. who would have been wholly
ordinary save for one pecullarity. In
a room more than temperately cool he
was sweating profusely. and that. de-
spite the fact that his light oyercoat
was on his arm, He darted a glance
at Bertram. then turned TO Average
Jones.
Il had hoped for a private inter
view" he said in high piping voice.
Mr.. Bertram is my friend and busi-
ness confidant"
Very good. You-you have read
1T"
"Yes."
"Then--then-then- The visitor
fumbled. with nerveless fingers. at his
tightly buttoned cUtaway ccat and.
after moments effort, drew a paper
from his inner pocket which he placed
on the desk. II was a certified check
for one hundred dollars. made pay
f,bio to A. Jones.
There's the rest OF a thousand
ready. II you can help me-" he said.
"WeIl talk OF that later" said the
prospective beneficiary. "Sit tight
until you're able to answer questions"
able now" piped the other in his
shrill voice. Pm ashamed OF myself.
gentlemen, but the strain I've been
under When you've heard my
story
Just a moment, please" interrupt
cd Average Jones. let me get at this
my own way. What are the some
things that are worse than death?"
Mr.. Robinson shook his head. Il
haven't the slightest notion In the
world"
Nor OF the short cut which you
are advised to take?'
Il suppose II means suicide" He
paused for a moment. They can't
drive me TO that-unless they drive
me crazy first" He wiped the sweat
, from under his eyes, breathing hard.
What are they"
Mr.. Robinson shook his head. "Mr.
Jones. ! give you my word OF honor.
, as hope TO be saved from this perse-
! cution. don't know any more than
yourself what II means"
/, "Then-er-I am--er--to believe,
replied Jones, drawing, as he always
did when interest. In his mind, was
yerging on excitement, that simple
blind threat like this-er-without
any backing from your own conscience
r -er-could shake you-er-as this
has done? Why, Mr.. Robinson, the
thing be-er-only a raw
practical Joke"
"But the othersl" cried the visitor.
His face changed and fell. Il believe
: am going crazy" he groaned Il
? didn't tell you about the others"
: Diving into his overcoat pocket he
l drew out packet OF letters which he
D placed on the desk with q sort of dis
. NAL flourish.
Read those," he cried.
I presently" Average Jones ran
4 rapidly over the eight envelopes
With one exception, each bore the im.
4 print of some firm name made familiar
| n.
g velopes were OF scottish manila paper
l varying in grade aud hue, under one
: cent stamps.
y Which is the first OF the series?'
l. he asked.
1T isn't among those. Unfortunate.
0 ly II was lost. by stupid servants
I mistake. pin and all"
"Pin?"
!. "Yes. Where cut open the en-,
Z velope-"
? wait a moment. You say you cut
8 II open. All these, being one-cent
Q postage. must have come unsealed
( Was the FIRST different "
: Yes. II had two-cent stamp. II
was n circular announcement OF the
u ASh,yeiOPttios IA
3 sealed envelope. There was a pin
o bent over the fold OF the letter 30
!. you couldn't help but notice II. Its
head was stuck through the blank
4 part OF the circular. Leading from II
I we're three very small pins arranged
D as n pointer TO the message"
"Do you remember the message?'
"Could ] forget II! II was pricked
: out quite small on the blank fold OF
0 the paper. II said: Make the most
4 OF your freedom. Your time is short
Call at General Delivery. Main p. o.,
for your warning"
+ you went there?"
"The next day"
"And found-?"
IAN ordinary sealed envelope, ad
5 dressed in pen-pricks connected by