Motion Picture Story Magazine (Feb-Jul 1912)

AN ANTIQUE RING 109 working. A second time she was to come down, to find it on Kitty's finger! This would key things up to concert pitch ; and just when she was on the warpath, and the thing was a seven-day mystery, and, maybe, the Farmers' Friend would try to salve over matters, Matthews was to up and announce his engagement to Kitty, and draw the heat from the boil. This was the way the simple little complication was supposed to work out. Now listen to the actual result. "Matthews and Kitty performed the opening act with the enthusiasm of amateurs, spurred on by the thought that, if the applause might not all be genuine, a prodigious paycheck awaited them at the drop of the curtain. "On a certain fall day, when Joe Simpson at last was closeted with certain heavycbooted county leaders, the secretary phoned 'Governor Lou' to come down to the office, and he would let her in on a little surprise. He had hardly primed up on his opening words when she came, all curiosity, and on swift feet, into the room. " 'I — I believe you are to have a birthday soon,' the young schemer stammered, 'and I want to prepare you for a delightful surprise. ' "Forthwith, he brought out, with much fumbling, the unlucky ring, and placed it in her hands. "'Isn't it beautiful!' she exclaimed. 'Who ' "'Sh-h!' he whispered, dramatically, finger on lip. ' 'Tis a deadly secret; remember, you haven't seen, you haven 't heard. ' "She nodded brightly. 'I'm as mum as a dead Indian. Cant I try it on?' "'Quick!' he implored. 'I hear the governor coming. Come — tomorrow— I '11 get him out of the way. ' "The following day he called her up, and discreetly absented himself from the room while she should see what she should see. He wasn't very far off, and heard her singing about the room as she waited for him. Presently she grew impatient, and started a search on her own account, sliding in and out the drawers of the governor's desk. All at once she gave a little, sharp cry, and he knew that she had found it — half hidden in Kitty's desk. She seemed to hesitate a moment, with thinking eyes, then put it back softly again. Matthews breathed deeper when she finally shut the door. Things were working, after all! "The next day was a holiday, and the governor had gone off stumping in the country, but if he appeared on the succeeding morning, and did not ask for an explanation, the secretary felt that the discovery had bitten in, and that she would surely appear later in the day. "He was right. Simpson came down early, looking tired, and messed the heap of letters on his desk into a hopeless litter ; then went over to the club to lunch, and to plan with his lieutenants. "Kitty had nerved herself up overnight to the bursting point of courage, and sat typing nervously, with the conspicuous ring on her finger. Matthews was in the little connecting room, watching the spur telephone. When 'Governor Lou' came, Kitty was to tell her that he was out, and fight her battle as best she could. ' ' There came a swish of skirts in the corridor, the flaunt of angry muslin, and Kitty's fingers thumped meaninglessly on the keys, for she knew that her hour was upon her. I 'm awfully sorry to leave her in this ticklish position, but for the sake of my story it is necessary to step across the square to the club for a breathingspell. "Governor Simpson had eaten a light luncheon, cheered by the reports of committeemen that all was going well in the reliable counties. 'Unless the unexpected happens, you are as good as elected,' they had told him, 'and the wonder of it, without even a serious campaign.' "Dixon and Hen Foster sat whispering in the deserted cardroom. 'I tell you, Dixon,' said Foster, emphatically, 'it's the time to give the stuff out to the press. Dont delay a min