The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-11-12

Miss Defrees would not exhibit, that she
had disposed Of all her blue ribbon win
ners. So much her search OF the newspa-
per files had disclosed. There had been
something else; a paragraph in the society
columns. And Peter Van Dam had gone to
England and fought through the war and
come back, believing that the Defrees house
was still full Of cats.
Emily Ann had got this far the night
before, but how It could all help Danny she
couldn't for the life Of her see. Danny, with
his bOyish schemes; would he ever grow
up? Then, suddenly, a great illumination
seemed to shine upon Emily Ann.
She glanced again at her employer, who
was taking down his hat and gloves and
picking up his walking stick. Why, he
wasn't an OLD man at all. She found it hard
to keep her voice steady as she asked
What time will you be back, if any one
Somewhere around three" was the re-
ply. I've a luncheon engagement DOWN
town."
Emily Ann waited until she was sure MI.
Van Dam was in the elevator. Then she
picked up her finished letters and laid
them on Mr.. Van Dams desk. Her eyes
ranged over the labeled compartments I'M
der the roll top. There was one marked
Personal Stationery" Her mind was work
ing swiftly. She opened the compartment
and took from 1t a creamy white envelope
and a single slip Of Bristol board bearing
the inscription, Mr.. Peter Van DAM" She
was slipping these trophies into her vanity
case when Danny came in.
Listen, Danny" she said, speaking rap
idly, have you any money with you? Real
money, l means hundred dOllars?"
Danny smiled r%uefully. IF 1 had a hun
dred dollars he began.
Never mind, If you haven't got it, -
Emily Ann interrupted. "I1 get it out Of
the savings bank. Wait here tin 1 get
back"
why the sudden rush for big money d?
inquired Danny puzzled.
III tell you about it when I get back"
she tossed over her shoulder as the door
closed behind her.
Half an hour later, with a hundred dol
Iars IN currency safely parked where no
pickpocket could find it without imme-
date detection, she was breathlessly ac-
costing the proprietor of the avenues most
fashionable bird and pet stock store.
" IWant the finest pair Of Persian kittens,
in. the p~rettiest basket you have, that you
can sell me for a hundred dollars" she
said. mo, 1 won't take them with me; I'll
send a young man for them in an hour or
so. There's a note that's to go with them. -
She took an envelope from her vanity
case and wrote upon it the name Of Miss
Angela Defrees and the address on the
avenue. Inside of it she placed an OblOna
slip Of Bristol board. Then she hurried
back to the office.
Danny" she said, as she smoOthed heI
hair, I'm going to give you credit for one
good scheme. The way to get Miss Defrees
out of her house is to send cats into it
but we're not going to do it in the way
you said. Take this slip and go around t.
Martinelli's; tell him you've come for thu
hundred dollars worth of cats I JUS
bought there, and take them around t.
Miss Defrees yourself"
Danny stared at Emily Ann.
"Wh0S lOOny he said at length
Yesterday you said you hated cats. Thii
morning you said she didn't. Now vol
want me to take her a flock Of cats -
you've got the idea exactly, Danny" re
spOnded Emily Ann calmly. "Only it ism
a flock of cats; it's only two Persian
FIFTY dollars apiece for cats? Don't eve
call me crazy again ="
Are you going to do as I say, or shall
have to take them myself" demande,
20, I suppose III take EN-" reptile,
Danny, but I wish you'd let me in on tn
joke"
Emily Ann smiled rather grimly. ct dom
know yet whether the jokes on Mr.. Var
Dam or u.s." she said. Probably well bot
lose our jobs and III be out a hundreC
dollars. And another thing: you're to tax
? the basket to the front door, not to tn
basement, and tell the maid you'll wal
= for an answer"
She wished Danny would hurry back, Blu
an hour dragged on Unfortunately before b
Z burst in, beaming.
"Say, Miss Defrees is q peach" he ex
l claimed. Il idn't know she was as yOuni
as that. Here's a note for Mr.. Van Dam
, She came out with it herself. I don't know
make a hit with her"
. He took a square envelope from hi
: pocket and handed it to Emily Ann 1t wa
addressed in feminine handwriting to MI
! Emily Ann wished she dared to open Mis-
q Defrees' note. She glanced at her wris
{ watch.
"Mr. Van Dam will be back any minut
: now, Danny" she said. land I don't thin
you'd better be here when he comes. Ism
: there something tremendously impOrtan
= you can be doing the rest of the after
nOOn?"
e you've got me guessing, Emily Ann,
replied Danny. when are you going to lie
me in on the mystery?"
Tonight, maybe" she answered. "Thi
= is Thursday, you know. Now, do rul
e I'm see if I can't get a line on tina
q water front piece the boss was askin.
about the other day said Danny. IN b
+ back at five. Wait for me-. I can't restrain
my curiosity longer than that"
t He breezed out Of the office, leavin
e Emily Ann a prey to doubt and fear. 81
laid the note on Mr.. Van Dams desk an
he arrived. The oil can clicked a TAFT
e against the machine as he picked up tn
envelope and asked, in a tone which Emil
n Ann had never heard before, whats this ?
y Its something Danny-Mr. 0'Day-
d brought in" she faltered. "He went to sc
d Miss Defrees about that option, you know.
It Emily Ann opened her vanity case, Of
n tensibly to powder her nose, but really I
observe her employers reflection IN th
tiny mirror as he tore the envelope Opel
He read the inclOsed missive with a pui
zled air, then turned the sheet and rea
it again.
what does this mean?" he askeI
where's O'Day2"
n II had to go over and see about thu
water front property" she explained. 81
there anything wrOng2"
"Id like to know what sort Of messal
he took to Miss Defrees from me-" I
grOwled. Emily AIMS heart leaped jOyOuI
". That was not the tone he used whe
he was really angry.
Peter Van Dam leaned back in his cha
4, and looked out OF the window for a Ion
] time. Then he whirled around and locke
at Emily Ann. He looked at her, too, I,
a long time.
= miss O'DOnoghue," he said, at last,
don't know anything about women"
Emily Ann smiled. Something seemed
relax inside her.
.Then there isn't anything wrOng?" 81
asked.
You're a woman" he went on. "Rea
that and tell me what you think it means
de handed h2r Miss Defrees note.
Dear Peter, It began. tits been
long, long time, but your lovely apology