The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1920-02-13
THE BLOTTING PAD
BY MILDRED WHITE.

You won't mind If l put you in
here during Mr.. Jerome's absence"
Josephine's cousin asked ut really
is the most pleasant room In the
house, and that's why Fred insists up
| on keeping II sacred to his friend. You
know. Joie, that Fred and Judson
Jerome were chums at college. Judd
was Freds best man when we were
married, and throughout our married
life, their David and Jonathan friend
ship has fiourished. 1t seems pity.
that Judson prefers bachelorhood he
Is such a fine character. But then,
he Is contented as a student and so
wrapped up In books, that when he
visits us. we have to sound the dinner
| gong at his very door. You should have
| had the guest chamber had not the
Blains arrived at the last inopportune
| moment. However, make yourself COM
| Portable In Mr.. JerOmes sanctum,
there is no chance Of his coming to
| claim 1t. He is down South" Joseph
Inc closed the door after her hostess,
and stood looking about the room
with Its dark impressive furniture.
| One long table was almost covered
with books, while square Of blot
ting paper lay across one broad end.
Her cousins friend was evidently
penman Of legible flneness, for the
blotting pad was plainly stamped with
even. well-formed lines Of writing.
Joie walked to the mirror, where
hung memoranda, Its pages covered
with the same distinct chirography.
Then her attention centered upon
speaking photograph Of Judson Je-
rome, the scholar himself. A neat
autograph beneath the picture. pro-
claimed its identity.
Joie, In one of the whimsical moods
which characterized her, greeted the
picture each morning. or waved to II
a laughing farewell as she left the
room.
Cousin Neel was vastly amused.
Don't breathe word to Joie." she
secretly admonished her husband. II
am going to write Judson, asking him
to stop over on his return trip. l will
explain that for night or two he
will have to put up with your den as
a sleeping place."
mo hope Of matchmaking where
Judd is concerned" her husband
warned her.
His wife merely smiled. She knew
her Joie well. And, when the scholar
was duly installed In Fred's den, for
once books were forgotten. No long
er was it necessary to seek him out for
meals. Judson Jerome was always
on hand. Incidentally, always al
Joie's right hand. Eagerly, he
watched the girl, new hopeful ex
preston upon his fine serious face
Joie, who fingered in her borrowed
room until the last possible moment
Joie, who persistently turned cole
shoulder to the original of the pOr
trait with which she had communed
Her cousin was In despair. "Ht
loves her." Nell disconsolately told
her husband, as Judson Jerome fol
a second time postponed his depar
, ture, "and fears to lose his chance b,
going away. And Joie loves him.
know, It,"
"Then what the deuce is the matter
with herr" the husband asked. Hi,
wife shook her head. II can't i'm
agne," she replied.
Judd Jerome met his host later il
the hall. II am going away, Fred,
he said jerkily. "That little cousin
of yours seems to have secret antp
athy to me, and l will not ammo.
her longer with my presence
Judd" his friend said slowly. mel
tells me that Joe sits weeping before
your picture, when alone. Is the an
tipathy so strong. do you think. tina
1t causes her to moon over you? o.
is incoming supposed to have another
significance?'
Judson was already far down tn.
hall In coy nook al its end where h,
had spied Josie. Anticipating he
movement toward flight. he barred tn,
door. Il love YOU" the scholar burs
out breathlessly. Il love you NOR,
than life. | want you for my wife
OH why will you not let me try I,
teach you to care, Joief"
With flashing eyes the girl facet
him.
You dare say that TO me-" sh,
cried. while you write, as you do. t.
another woman ! thought there Ia,
been no sentiment in your life. unit
/, I read that horrid blotter in your room
II was an accident at first The word
flashed up into the mirror OF IN,
handbag. as happened to hold II ope,
above 1t. Love passages are not In
Guided In articles OF scientific re
: search. are they? Walt" commando,
Joie, and dashed up the stairs Whei
she returned she bore In her hand
: not only the familiar blotter, but
hand glass as well.
Read that" said Joie. and In tn
glass he saw reflected precisel
written line: