The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-06-17
THE SEALED
ENVELOPE
Py RALPH HAMILTON


entered the reception room Of the
boarding house where she made her
home. The maid had brought her
card reading Dale Armstrong"
Adrienne was a stenographer, her
brother a travelling auditor. The
summer previous both bad passed a
months vacation az Elburn and il WAS
there that they had met Dale Arm
strong.
He was q free-hearted. open-minded
young man. and from the first had
made close friend of Percy Mercer
and developed also Il manifest inter
est in Adrienne. The three were most
Of the time together, boating. fishing
and motoring. and were most reluctant
To come 10 the moment of parting.
"Be certain l will look you UP when
| cOnt to the city" Armstrong as
sured them. Il shall be busy for
some time settling up some property
interests l 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. and
Adrienne Guttered as she recalled his
courteous attentions of the past. He
seemed pleased rs her hand rested for
a moment in his own. They passed
the conventionalities of greeting; then
he said:
II expected to find your brother in
| the city. hut understand he went away
last week"
Eyes. for quite long trip" replied
Adrienne.
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 trust | wished him to assume?'
"If either of MS can he of any service
to YOU" replied Adrienne, "it would he
a willing duty"
"very briefly. then" said Armstrong
II am about To go to Wyoming to close
out some property. 1t is something of
| 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 claims. ] do not wish
to keep them with me for fear they
may be lost or.stolen. They cut no fig
ure unless some shrewd lawyers shoult
scheme 10 outwit me. | wish To leave
them with YOU Should / write foi
them. please send them TO me. Should
you not hear from me within tive
| months. take them 10 the best lawyer
YOU can find and ask him To make ar
| investigation, for something will have
disturbed" added Armstrong quickly
as he noted Il sudden pallOr across
Adrienne'S face. ard his own glowe'
with emotion at the suggested though
that she cared very much for his well
being and safety.
BE very careful of Yourself" salt
Adrienne, as they parted. I'm.
brother would he anxious If he knew
that you were in any peril" and Arm
strong smiled brightly. as though he
interest in him gaze him courage an,
pleasure.
Adrienne took the envelope up 4
her room and secreted il in a suitcase
which she placed high on the shelf o
closet. She examined 1t each day T.
he sure that the precious envelope wa
safe one afternoon. returning from
work. she received shock that dumbe'
her. The suitcase was missing. Sh,
at once appraised the landady of he
| lace N ftsat zion SbnusaI pI
stolen from other rooms. Adrienn,
made a report 10 the police Then on,
day passing along the street she no
ticed woman who wore scarf an'
carried handbag. which at once sh,
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 ant
claimed To have purchased the article
at secondhand shop. she listened
craftily, however, as Adrienne told he
that it was only certain envelope sh,
cared for and wOuld pay literally 70
its return.
"See here" said the woman, Evil
you give me a hundred dollars If / &c
that envelope for youf'
"Ah. willingly" declared Adrlenn,
with eagerness.
"Then meet me here tomorrow a
noon with the money"
The woman walked away. Adrienn
drew back as keen-eyed man has
tened up to her.
Quick :" he said, showing an ofiicia
star. "what dealings have you viii
Clever Kate? She and her husban,
are bad ones and we are watching
them"
Adrienne told her story. The detec
tive took her address and hurried oil
the trail Of the woman.
He called on Adrienne that evening
with the envelope. II seemed tina
Adriennes joy came all at once, 70
the next day Dale Armstrong appeared
He had settled his property affairs sat