The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1920-12-30
The Challenge
By OTlLLIA F. PFElFFER

| some apparent bold cOQuette or silly
schoolgirl"
''That is to be seen, If you agree
to the test" asserted Dora. "NOw,
dear, here we are-Winnle Law, Tes-
sic Blake, you and -four engaged
girls. 1 went down to Orville, picked
out sample picture Of very charm
ing young girl at photographers,
had four duplicates made, and we are
to send four letters to our unsuspect-
Ing SWANS, enclosing picture and
asking each one to meet the writer,
who signs herself Stella, at the cor
ner of the little park opposite my
cunts Thursday evening at eight"
"Suppose your four victims COM
pare notes and suspect a trick?"
ooh! they won't. That isn't a.
mans way" insisted Dora confidently.
"Just think how we will enjoy seeing
those four embarrassed ones hanging
around awaiting the writer of the
gushing note!''
Three, you mean-Irving will never
come" declared Madge definitely.
1--WE shall see."
Clyde Barton, Wallace Templeton
and Shirley Branston were close
chums. Irving Delman was new
conner and somewhat out Of their
friendly circle. Now, Clyde, keen-wit-
ted and resourceful, happened to meet
little Ned Merrill, who/was carrying
the four letters to post, and had a
glance ut their superscription. When
he received one of them he went at
once to Templeton and Branston. The
trio chuckled. They saw through the
shallow trick played upon them, at
tributed It to the girls. admired the
photographs, and kept them.
EVEN have some fun INVITING the
girls about their adventure after 1t IS
all over" said Clyde.
Irving Delman received his letter
and was about to tear it up and for
get it, when he fell to studying the
picture. He examined It closely, even
to the photographers name on the
back. He looked surprised and then
thoughtful and grave.
"What can. it mean?" he solilo-
quized. IF it is really Miss Page.
then Burleigh Gray has been greatly
mistaken in his estimation of his
fancee. But there is some mistake,
and am going to. explore this mys-
terry" -.
At seven O'clock on the appointed
Thursday evening the four girls met
at the home of Ora's aunt. They en-
sconced themselves In an unlighted
room commanding perfect view Of
the little park less than a square in
size just across the road. All but
Madge were bubbling over with ex-
citement and jollity. She sat disdain-
fully silent.
A few minutes before eight o'clock
the telephone rang in the next room.
Dora hurried to answer the cSll. She
returned all f1utter with animation.
ooh, girls what do you think?" she
ratified on. 1.-THE call was from Clyde.
He, Wallace and Shirley are at our
house and have learned in some way
that we ale to be home at nine and
are waiting for us"
"Can they have seen through our
little plot?' suggested Winnie.
"Probably not, but they are good
boys. you see, after all. Look! look !!
loOk!"
Breathlessly the group noted fig
ure pass along the outside park walk.
Madge suppressed great gasp. The
others settled their glances upon the
object of their interest. It was Irv.
ing Delman.
There was dead silence In the room.
Delman walked leisurely along as
though looking for some one. For half
an hour he acted the man expecting
to meet some person by special ap-
pointment. Finally he consulted his
watch, shrugged his shoulders and
went away.
i While Dora, Winnie and Tessie had
felt triumphant at the fact that a
pretty girls photograph and a clever
~ devised love letter had not affected
nor tempted their lovers in the least,
they were seriously, sorry for Madge.
She declined going with them to
Dora's home, left them summarily, and
they knew that she was deeply affect
ed by the episode Of the evening.
The following day Madgei returned
to Irving Delman his letters, his gifts
and the engagement ring. She re-
quested him to seek no explanation
Of this summary procedure. Warm
hearted Clyde Barton was the person
who ferreted out the inside Of the af-
fair before the week was out.
''Dora, that was cruel trick
against pelman," he said. 1T is true
he went 10 the park in reply to the
letter, but only because by some fear
ful mischance the photograph you Sc
lected is that Of a fancee of his
closest friend down at Orville. It was
bis interest in him that caused him
to do so. Tell Madge, and quickly.
before two true and earnest hearts
are broken"
And, when the, loyal eight were we'd
ded, there was not one of the four
brides who did not fervently believe