The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1919-05-15
ASCRAP OF PAPER
BY 6STELLE N. TlD0.

The FIRST time the telephone rang
that morning young Mrs. B. picked
up the receiver and heard the follow
ing:
''That you, Nell? Say, did you no
tice little folded piece Of paper on
the ball floor after l left? Didn't?
Well, will you look, please; and say,
Nell, if you find it, don't look at it,
please, do you hear? It's little bit
private. I'll hold the line. Hurry
back"
The paper was quickly found and
Nell rushed back to inform her hus-
band of her success
"Good! I don't want to lose that,
was the reply. "Put it in the little
drawer in my desk, and you won't
look at it, will you, Nell? Promise"
lawfully private, it seems to me, but
you needn't worry, I won't look at
your precious paper. Good-by."
She sat for moment, regarding the
bit of paper with hostile eyes.
"Pretty fussy to call it folded
ly. Looks to me like note-a regu-
lar note"
Presently there rushed in upon her
Julia D., her best and frankest
friend.
Have you heard the latest?" she
demanded. Sue B is here-came
Tuesday; she's going to stay a month.
She's looking magnificent. Funny she
hasn't visited in town since your en-
gagement to Harley was announced
over two years ago. She used to be
crazy about him. They made the most
stunning pair-everybody turned to
look. l wonder" she paused abrupt
ly, then ratified on: Say, Nell, l
wouldn't dare to marry a handsome
man-you never can tell-Goodness,
Nell, don't ever wear that shade OF
blue again. You look five years older
in it," ''''
Julia had just whirled out when the
telephone rang again. Harley's sister
Lou wanted Nells new recipe for egg
less cake, and after hearing it she con-
budget.
"Whose car were you out in last
night at Pinetree Heights? After you
had whizzed by, brealeng every speed
law ever made, I realized that one OF
the men was Harley. 1t was so near
dark l couldn't recognize anyone else,
but I suppose you were along. You
certainly had a reckless person at the
Wheel"
'I-Ill tell you all about it later,
Lou. IL think there's something
burning on the stove. Good-by.">
She hung up the receiver. Out at
Pinetree Heights last night, and he
had told her it was business en-
gagement that had kept him until I 30.
He had been unusually high-spirited
during the evening, and then alternate
Fsly absorbed in thought.
What could it mean? Ntiserably she
went about her work. She thought in
cessantly Of that arch-charmer. Sue
B, and the mysterious note, and
though she felt wholesome distaste
in doing so, still she kept wondering
whether Sue B. and Tie note did or
did not belong together.
mo, I won't look at it, she assured
herself. II said 1 wouldn't. and l
won't-I won't"
But before she had finished speak
ing her hand reached straight to the
drawer, opened it and drew out the
paper.
GAIL the rest of the day." she
choked, 1--WE got to live with this aw-
full note"
springing up, she crumrled it in her
hand.
II know what I'll 10. I'll burn up
the horrid thing. Haley shan't have
it-nobody shall have it, and if it's
burned up can't read it,"
Lighting a match, she knelt before
the CRATE. She had just thrown down
the flaming scrap when the front door
banged and her husband entered the
room, going straight to the desk in the
corner.
Building fire, Nell? Say, where's
that paper 'phoned about?" His voice
was edged with excitement. 'That's
important"
eyes, of course-vay important-to
you. Oh, know all about It,"
''What'd you look at 1t for? BY
George, you said you wouldn't. like
that!"
II didn't look at it !" she famed. II
had some degree Of honor, but I've
burned the horrible thing, and didn't
have to read it to find cut few things
joy riding way out to Pinetree
Heights last night, for instance--and'
"What! broke in Harley. "YOu
burned that paper-you silly-and lit
tie you know what I was ont to Pine
tree Heights for. That peachy little
bungalow out there, you know, Nell,
that we are both crazy about. I've
rented it, with chance to buy 1t
later, perhaps. We can have a garden
and chickens and help out on our bit.
1 was out there again this afternoon,