AN OLD COMEDY
Norton had scarcely passed his gate on the way to catch the train when Cleo left the window, where her keen eyes had been watching, and made her way rapidly to the room he had just vacated.
Books and papers were scattered loosely over his table beside the typewriter which he had, with his usual carelessness, left open.
With a quick decision she seated herself beside the machine and in two hours sufficiently mastered its use to write a letter by using a single finger and carefully touching the keys one by one.
The light of a cunning purpose burned in her eyes as she held up the letter which she had written on a sheet paper with the embossed heading of his home address at the top.
She re-read it, smiling over the certainty of the success of her plan. The letter was carefully and simply worded:
"My Dear Miss Helen:
"As your guardian is still in Europe, I feel it my duty, and a pleasant one, to give you a glimpse of the South before you go abroad. Please come at once to my home for as long as you care to stay. If I am away in the campaign when you arrive, my son and housekeeper, Cleo, will make you at home and I trust happy.
"With kindest regards, and hoping to see you soon,
"Sincerely,
"Daniel Norton."