The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1920-04-08
THE SEALED
ENVELOPE
By RALPH HAMILTON


entered the reception room of the
boarding house where she made her
home. The maid had brought her IA
card reading Dale Armstrong
Adrienne was a stenographer, her
brother travelling auditor. The
summer previous both had passed
months vacation at Elburn and il was
there that they had met Dale Arm
strong.
He was a free-hearted, open-mnded
young man. and from the first had
made close friend of Percy Mercer
and developed also manifest inter
est in Adrienne. The three were most
of the time together boating. fishing
and motoring, and We're most reluctant
to come to tile moment of parting.
'Be certain viii look you up when
1 come to the city," Armstrong as
sured them. II shall he busy tor
some time settling up some property
interests | have inherited. then the
pleasantest hope l have is that we
shall later renew our friendship"
And now the man of whom she had
so often thought had appeared and
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 conventlonalities of greeting; then
he said:
81 expected to find your brother in
the city, but understand he went away
last week"
'Yes, for quite long trip" replied
Adrienne.
''He is my very good friend" pro-
ceeded Armstrong. 1--WE were like
brothers while at Elburn. need his
cooperation. As he is away, might l
hope that you. his sister, would under
take trust wished him to assume?-
''If either Of us can he of any service
to you" replied Adrienne, "it would be
willing duty"
"Very briefly, them said Armstrong
'T am about to go to Wyoming to close
out some property. 1t is something of
a dangerous mission, for | shall have
to deal with rough lot of squatters. /
have here" and he extended sealed
envelope. "some very valuable papers
sustaining my ciaims I do not wish
TO keep them with me for fear they
may he lost or stolen. They cut no fig-
ure unless some shrewd lawyers should
scheme TO outwit me | wish to leave
them with you. Should | 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
In Fn,
happened 10 me. | beg yOu do not he
disturbed" added Armstrong quickly,
as he noted 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 he 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 a suitcase
which she placed high on the shelf of
a closet. She examined II each day TO
be sure that the precious envelope was
safe. one afternoon, returning from
work, she received shock that dumbed
her. The suitcase was missing. She
at once appriscd the landladv Of her
loss. An investigation showed articles
stolen from other rooms. Adrienne
.nade report to the police Then one
day passing along the street she no
Eiced a woman who wore scarf and
carried a handbag which at once she
identified as having been in the suit
case.
Adrienne rushed up to the woman
and accused her of the theft The bold
faced woman laughed insolently and
claimed 10 have purchased the articles
at a secondhand shop. She listened
craftily, however. rs Adrienne told her
ehat II was only certain envelope she
cared for and would pay literally for
its return.
"sce here" said the woman, will
sou give me hundred dollars if get
that envelope for your"
"Ah willingly" declared Adrlenne
with eagerness.
"1'hen meet me here tomorrow at
moon with the money"
The wsrnan walked away. Adrienne
1rew back as keen-eyed man has
Sened up 10 her.
Quick" he said, showing an official
star, what dealings have you with
Clever Kate? She and her husband
are bad ones and we are watching
them"
Adrienne told her story. The detec.
tive took her address and hurried on
The trail of the woman.
He called on Adrienne that evening
with the envelope II seemed that
Adrienne's JOY came all at once. for