Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1920-02-12
CHEAPLY
BOUGHT
By ALvAH JORDAN GARTH

or pass by n little boy and girl who,
spying him, ran eagerly in his direc-
ton. He forced smile and tried to
act quite the big brother, for the little
fellow was the brother of Miss Lois
Beverly, which meant worlds to Al
bion.
Not so much Just now, however, as a
week previous, for strange and puZ-
ling change had come over the lovely
and beloved sister OF little Ned Its
mystery and puz2ling uncertainty en-
forced constant mental speculation as
While Albion, after a charming &C
Quaintanceship with Lois OF many
months, had arrived at a point where
he was about to confess his love, she
seemed suddenly to become a different
being. On one occasion he came upon
her in teaS. During two subsequent
calls she was sad pale and reticent,
and arranged it so that he had no OPP
portunity to see her alone. Then she
was mot at home" one evening, and
the next day he received a note from
her In response to his own, canceling a
party engagement upon which there
had been an agreement of mutual at
tendance.
So those were distressing and unsat-
tsfactory days to the ardent lover,
held at a distance and helpless to dis
sTpate the cloud that surrounded the
object of his trueSt affection. Albion
assumed a casual smile as little Ben
and a girl of his own age reached his
side. The hands of each were filed
with an incongruous heap of cards, en-
velopes and folded bits of paper.
ooh, Mr.. Dale" Isped the girl ex-
citedly, "we is postmasters. and we're
selling letters. These" extending
some Cancelled post cards, "are penny
apiece"
Give me FIVE" encouraged Albion.
''With the envelopes tied with ribbon,
mine are three for nickel" announced
little Ben. "All except this big one.
That's a real letter, and it's three
cents I found 1t on sisters writing
desk"
run along to the candy store, little
mail carriers" directed Albion, and
thrust his unique purchases in his
pocket He thought no more OF them
until he had reached home. Then he
drew them forth TO deposit in the
waste basket He noticed his three
cent investment with token of inter
est as he recalled what little Ben had
said regarding it. Involuntarily, al
most, he opened a folded sheet.
1t was written from Yorkton and
signed "Alex Tyrrell" 1t was very
brief, addressed to Miss Lois Beverly,
and read: 81 shall be at room 81,
Holland hotel, until Tuesday evening.
/ warn you that If the two hundred
dollars is not produced by then, l will
make the document public"
The letter was shock to Albion.
It's gross threat and familiarity
stunned him. Was It possible that the
documents covered some past entan-
clement of the woman he loved? oh,
never! never Albion banished the
thought. The writer, however, was,
to say the mildest, blackmailer. His
eyes flashed. Instantaneously he de-
cided what he would do. His should
be the function to meet this Alex Tyr
rell and learn his secret power, and
rescue the girl he idolized from the
pending menace,
That same day he reached Yorkton.
It was early in the evening when Al
bion located the Holland hotel and
room 81. He knocked at its door. It
was opened by a mean-faced young
man.
This is Mr. Tyrrell?" insinuated Al
bion.
"Wen, l can take a message for
him." was the guarded answer
II come from Miss Lois Beverly
That's all right" promptly replied
the man. Come in. If she sent a
little necessary package, the rest is
easy"
1.-TWO hundrded dollars, | believer
That's the sum" answered Tyr
rell
"And ! get in return?"
1.-THE notes that are signed by Miss
Beverly's brother OF course, she has
told you that they represent gambling
debts. anu include some signatures he
had no right TO simulate
Albion took 5000 from his pocket.
He recalled that Wendell Beverly the
brother of Lois had married q few
months previous, and that he bal for
uerly been somewhat reckless and dis
Hpated
P"Those are all?" ha questioned as q
little package was rendered
eyes. See here said Tyrell viewing
Albion with speculative eyes, Il fancy
you have peculiar interest in the
young lady. The returned notes uill
subdue her tears. For another hun
dred, though. / will tell you something
that viii make her very happy
He placed himself near the door a
taole between himself and his visitor
as he spoke. Silently Albion produced
the money mentioned
"All right, then" grlnned Tyrrell.
"Her soul can rest in peace. Der
brother gambled, but the notes are
phoney. and he never signed them