The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-03-04
THE SEALED
ENVELOPE
By RALPH HAMILTON

There was a flush of pleasure on
the face of Adrienne Mercer as She
entered the reception room of the
boarding house where she made her
home. The maid had brought her a
card reading dale Armstrong"
Adrienne was stenographer, her
brother travelling auditor The
summer previous both had passed
months vacation at Elburn and it was
there that they had met Dale Arm
strong.
He was a free-hearted, open-minded
young man. and from the first had
made close friend of Percy Mercer
and developed also manifest inter-
est in Adrienne. The three swere most
of the time together boating. fishing
and motoring, and were most reluctant
60 come to the moment of parting
BE certain | will look you up when
| come TO the city," Armstrong as
sured them. II shall be busy for
some time settling up some property
interests | have inherited. then the
pleasantest hope have is that we
shall later renew our friendship"
And now the man of whom she had
so often thought had appeared, ana
Adrienne fluttered as she recalled his
courteous attentions of the past. He
seemed pleased as her hand rested for
a moment in his own. They passed
the conventionalities of greeting; then
he said:
81 expected to find your brother In
the city, but understand lie went away
last week"
"Yes, for quite long trip" replied
AGrienne.
HE is my very good friend" pro-
ceeded Armstrong I'VE were like
brothers while at Elburn. | need his
cooperation. As he is away. might |
hope that you, his sister, would under
take a trust wished him to assume?"
IF either of us can be of any service
TO YOU" replied Adrienne, "it would be
a willing duty"
VERY briefly, then" said Armstrong.
Il am about to 90 to Wyoming TO close
out some property. 1t is something of
dangerous mission, for | shall have
to deal with a rough lot Of Squatters. |
have here" and he extended a sealed
envelope. "sOme very valuable papers
sustaining my claims. | do not wish
to keep them with me for fear they
may be lost or stolen. They cut no fig
ure unless some slrewd lawyers should
scheme to Outwit me. | wish to leave
them with you. Should l write for
them, please send them TO me. Should
you not hear from me within TWO
months. take them to- the best lawyer
you can find and ask him to make an
! investigation, for something will have
happened TO me. I beg you do NOT be
disturbed" added Armstrong quickly.
as he noted a sudden pallor across
Adrienne's face. and his own glowed
with emotion at the suggested thought
that she cared very much for his we'll
| being and safety.
BE very careful of yourself" said
Adrienne, as they parted. "I-my
! brother would be anxious if he knew
! that you were in any peril" and Arm
strong smiled brightly. as though her
, interest in him gave him courage and
pleasure.
Adrienne took the envelope up to
her room and secreted it in n suitcase,
which she placed high on the shelf of
closet. She examined it each dav TO
be sure that the precious envelope was
safe. One afternoon. returning from
work, she received a shock that dumbed
her. The suitcase was missing. She
at once apprised the landlady of her
loss. An investigation showed articles
/ stolen from other rooms. Adrienne
made report to the police Then one
day passing along the street she no
ticed a woman who wore a scarf and
carried handbag, which at once she
Identified as having been in the suit
case.
Adrlenne rushed up to the woman
and accused her of the theft. The bold
/ faced woman laughed insoIently and
claimed to have purchased the articles
at a secondhand shop. She listened
craftily, however, as Adrienne told her
that it was only certain envelope she
cared for and would pay literally for
its return.
See here" said the woman, twill
you give me hundred dollars if get
that envelope for you?"
"Ah. willingly!' declared Adrieane
with eagerness.
'Then meet me here tomorrow at
noon with the money"
The woman walked away. Adrienne
drew back as keen-eyed man has
tened up to her.
Quick 20 he said. showing an officia;
star, "what dealings have. you with
Clever Kate? She and her husband
are bad ones and we are watching
them"
Adrienne told hersstor The detec.
tive took her address and hurried on
the trail of the woman.
He called on Adrienne that evening
with the envelope. 1t seemed that
Adrienne's joy came all at once. for
The next day Dale Armstrong appeared
He had settled his property affairs sal