The Argosy, March 1907 — page 89: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THAT TYPEWRITER I ain’t no spring chicken, I know, but -I’m regular in my habits and a home- loving sort of man. If you feel as if you'd like to be Mrs. Jerry “But she shook her head sadly and raised her hand for me to stop. ‘ Please don’t say anything like that, Jerry,’ she. said, with tears in her big blue eyes. ‘I really couldn’t listen to it just now—I really couldn’t. Perhaps later you and I will meet again, and then it mdy be dif- ferent. Rest assured that I shall never forget you.’ . “And that was the best I could get out of her. As the car reached the ground floor she shook hands with me and again thanked me. ‘Then she was gone. ; “About an hour later in comes the lawyer fellow and steps into my ele- vator. ‘Good morning, Jerry,’ he says breezily. ‘Did Miss Wright get down et?’ ‘Ves,’ I answered ‘spitefully. been and she’s gone.’ ““Gone?’ says he, -‘Gone where, Jerry?’ ‘““*T don’t know where she’s gone,’ says I. ‘ But she’s gone for good. She ain’t never coming back.’ ‘““* Why, what’s the matter?’ says he, turning very white. ‘ What’s the trouble, Jerry?’ ‘“*'The trouble is that she’s found out the truth. She knows all about your wife in Mount Vernon,’ I answered spite- fully. . ‘“*My wife’ says he, pretending to be surprised. ‘I haven’t any wife. What are you talking about?’ “«Oh, yes, you have,’ I answered, looking him straight in the eye. ‘It’s no use denying it to me. Didn’t I see that telegram you sent her yesterday after- noon saying you wouldn’t be home until late, as you were detained down-town on important business? “ Important busi- ness!’’ Ha! ha!’ and I laughed scorn- fully. ‘ She’s mueh surprised. “* Don’t be a fool,’ he cried angrily. | ‘That telegram wasn’t to my wife. It was to my mother. I live with my mother. I’m not married. Who’s been telling Miss Wright such an_ idiotic story?’ “It was my turn to be surprised. | GIRL. 6661 “So that telegram was to your mother, eh, sir?’ I stammered. ‘I thought it was your wife. The name was the same, you see. I’m very sorry, sir. I told her that you were a married man, and she said she wouldn’t stay in your employ a minute longer.’ ““You fool!’ he cried angrily. interfering fool! Just see what you've done! Miss Wright and I were going to be married. She accepted me after the theater last night. Now, goodness knows where she’s gone. Didn't she leave any word for me?’ ““Yes,’ I answered. ‘She went up to your office and wrote a note to you. It’s waiting up there now.’ “He didn’t wait for any more, but ordered me to rush up to the seventh floor as fast as my car could go. He dashed down the corridor and into his office like a madman. “Five minutes later, when my car reached his floor again, I saw him Stand- ing at the gate of the elevator-shaft tearing his hair out by the roots. ‘Quick!’ he cried: ‘Take me down as quickly as you can. I must go to the police at once.’ ‘“*“What’s the matter?’ I asked in alarm. ‘Has she gone to commit sui- cide? What did the note say, sir?’ ‘““ Suicide?’ he cried. ‘ Not she. I’ve been stung. Here! You can read her note for yourself, if you want,’ and he handed me a sheet of paper on which was written: ‘Vou My pDEAR PAUL: — % It was very wrong of you not to have told me about that wife and the five kids up in Mount Vernon. When you proposed marriage to me last night I believed that you were sin- cere. How you must have been laugh- ing up your sleeve at me! Well, perhaps you will not laugh quite so heartily when you learn that the poor innocent young thing you sought to de- ceive happens to enjoy the reputation of being the cleverest woman thief in the United States. If you do not believe this, take a look at your office safe. I think one glance will be sufficient to con- vince you. Good-by, dear Paul. I hope that you will forgive me for having deceived you, as I freely forgive you for having de- ceived me. Gomichboo Ss, COI