Mexico weekly ledger., 1921-09-08
THE CONSPIRACY
sy | MATTER.

S@ - =
such q dear girl" Daisy said, Il dc
Wish she would take q little more In.
eerest In men. ! really cannot bear to
4hink Of Nan living alone all her days
And she is 50 provokingly distant"
Don smoked ruminatingly.
Like my friend Bob" he remarked.
sHow take Bob, good honest fellow,
k1na, geatlemanly and successful In
&tzaness-yet, a woman hater."
'Oht shouldn't call him that ex-
actiy." Don's wife defended. ats just
kkat Bob Reynolds has had so many
eassy females in his own family that
As ID cautious. You know, yourself,
SOa would hate to risk being tied for
Hsfs to anyone resembling his married
sister. Then, too, Bob is satisfied in
A1z profession, % he just steers
@7ear.'n
~But he Feeds q sympathiKing nm
&~sEstanding companion" Don insisted.
Daisy sighed. "No more than my
asns. lovely Nan needs q protecting
Ansband," she replied.
Then the two Involuntary smiled.
III we could manage a meeting be-
swee0 them" suggested Daisy.
Don shook his head. Cant be
zone" he answered decisively. "Every
time ! invite old Bob out he suspects
ne matchmaking propensity Of the
Aappily married. and refuses"
TSaisv nodded
Il know" she said, Nan IL Just that
way. Who else is comingT she will
awk me defantly."
The fire cracked on, Daisy slipped
wver to the friendly arm Of her hus-
bands chair and still sat gazing medi-
tatiyely into the rosy depths.
'D0n," she said at last, while we
are in New York e week will you
ask Bob to drop into the fiat occasion
ally and see that things are all right?
"GOOd idea," Don heartily agreed.
Bob will enjoy looking after your
fernery, Daisy you know he is an ad-
mirer Of yours"
Bob was well pleased to ,oblige his
friends. The thought Of an uninter-
rupted evening among DOnald's we'll
chosen books was inviting. He fitted
the latchkey which his friend had
bestowed upon him and entered the
deserted vestibule. All was In readi-
ness for his coming, as Don had said.
As he switched on the living-roOm
lights he saw q dish Of polished red
apples on a table beside the fireslde
chair. Several new pieces seemed
placed for his selection on the grand
plano.
He hastily shut off the myriad lights
ne he dropped to the hearth rug,
leaving the golden shaded lamp alone
for his use. And as Bob bent to build
the fire he discarded his coat. From a
rear room came c%rooningly the chirp
@6 q bird. Bob arose. Don had not
mentioned the added care Of a bird,
ana here he, Boo, had allowed tive
days to elapse before visiting his
friends home after their departure
The tiny creature might be suffering
0 for want of food. Softly, on the
thick rugs Bob made his way In the
direction of the birds murmurings
1he cage hung In a high kitchen win
dow, and standing upon a stool before
the cage was q girl. The bright lights
Of the white kitchen fell upon hel
brOEze-gold hair; and presently, a.
though sensing Ills presence, the cir
turned abruptly, and losing her bal
aDce fell with a startled cry dlrectl!
into Bob's outstretched arms.
1t seemed that he had anticipate,
that fall from the moment the cir
turned her while face toward him. ]
quick stride fornd. him at the side O
however. to realize that the youn
wOmsn's alarm was occasioned by hi
WI presence.
Then Bob, holding her and vainl
endesyoring to reach the faucet in oil
der to dampen her forehead with n
Tiying water, wondered vaguely ho'
In the world this strange young won
an came to be IN the deserted apr
ment which Ion assured him WI
locked against Intruders. For a mi
ment the dizzy thought assailed hi
that he had mistakenly entered til
wrong apartment. Then the pal
faced young m found voice.
II don't know" she said, "what 70
are doing here" She surveyed Bob
coatless figure 'But II you are
buaslar, won't you please gof'
Burglar |" Hob gasped. He realize
shat the yOunf. woman was endeavO
ing to free herself from his close su
'1airtng grasp. Also, that a most b
canning rose rOlor had banlshed II
ashy whitehess and that her affrtgkl
ed eyes were now glinting dangero,
resentment. Burglar" he repeate
why ! came to look after the fern
-s1)oA asked me- to. I'm his friend"
The young Woman. sinking down {
. kitchen char, stared ct him. "Not
ahe asked nockingIy. "the paragt
BSb ReynoldS7 L. her tore was e
prsssive. have heard Of you. Dali
snade me promise Il look after b
bird every syening. / am Daisy
friend"
mot" mimicked the man, "the rar
~ perfect Nani I have heard OF you
and when 1t 80 happened not mar
weeks later that Bob Reynolds prou
~ announced his engagement to Il
two friendly conSpirators. Nj
laughed, Bob had to, take me- 81
Teproyed Daisy. "You fairly thrt
nae af his head"
Meaning said Mans lover happIl