Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 222, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 October 1917 — Clever Ruse [ARTICLE]

Clever Ruse

The specialist paced up and down the floor, one hand on his hip while the other stroked his glossy hair. The mayor and his wife watched anxiously for a sign of hope on his Inscrutible face. Finally he stopped before the mayor. “There’s only one thing to do. Give up speaking engagements and take a complete rest. n /Impossible I Don’t you understand, dQftor? I can’t give up now. The promises I made to my party are just half fulfilled.—lt will take another term 'to complefe the work Tve undertaken. If I don’t get out and fight for re-election I’ll lose. You must give me something so I can speak at the rallies this week. Haven’t you anything that will tide me over until after election?” The doctor shook his head hopelessly. “There’s nothing I can do for you now. The least strain on your throat in |ts present condition is Hable to cause the entire loss of your voice.” ~ The mayor’s wife grasped his arm pleadingly. “Oh, Robert, why don't you give up this campaign? Withdraw from the contest and take a vacation. The last two years have brought one worry after another, and you’re just a nervous wreck. Won’t you give It up for my sake?” “You’re asking too much, Julie.” But he patted her hand tenderly and his voice shook with emotion. “This has been the one big thing In my life, being ma/or of this beautiful city of ours. I owe it to myself, as well as to those who helped to put me here, to keep my position until I have fulfilled all my pledges." "Isn’t there anything I can do to make you give up this foolish Idea? Ts the peopte want you they will elect you without all this But she knew different, and she could not put conviction into her voice. The mayor sank back In his chair, wearily. “It’s no use, Julie, I’ve made engagements to speak every night until election. I must keep them.” The next night the mayor arrived /home tired but happy. It had been » rousing rally and the crowd applauded generously when he finished his speech. Upon the hall stand he found a note addressed In his wife’s handwriting: “Dear Robert: I am attending the bridge party at Mrs. Eastman’s. Don’t wait up for me.”—Jplla. Glancing at his watch, he figured that he would have time to walk to Mrs. Eastman’s and escort his wife home. He arrived at the house just as the players were about to leave, but not seeing his wife he singled out the hostess. “Hasn’t my wife been here this evening? She left home with the Intention of coming." “I was speaking to her on the telephone about six o’clock, and she promised to be here, but she did not come.” It was not long before everyone present knew something was wrong about Julie. The gossips had something to talk about, and had the mayor but asked, they would have suggested many a place that he might look for his missing wife.

No sign of Julie was found all night, and by the next day the whole city was aware she was missing. The newspapers had her name In big headlines, some suggesting that she had wandered off In delirium or been abducted by white-slavers; one even hinted that she had eloped. » The following notice appeared in all the papers: “I hereby give notice that I will cancel all engagements until assured of the safety of my wife. Signed, Robert Wheeler.” The days passed, and not a word was heard from Julie. Even the thousand dollar reward offered for Information leading to her discovery brought no results. The mystery of her disappearance was the main topic of conversation throughout the city. JBveryone extended the greatest sympathy to the mayor. In the meantime his chief opponent was working hard to win the election, but somehow his rallies were failures The competition which seemed to be so one-sided held little Interest for the voters. Even the newspapers accorded him the most obscure columns. Finally election day came and with It Mayor Wheeler was re-elected with a sweeping majority. He sat at his desk as they telephoned the returns, but there was no joy In his victory; His head was bowed in sorrow. “Congratulations, Mr. Mayor, I hear you’ve won without making all those speeches you planned. How Is your thm«t getting along?” And the doctor’s smiling face confronted him Inquiringly. “Oh, I guess that Is all rltfrt now, but everything else is all wrong. If I had only taken Julie away when she wanted me to this 1 might not have

happened. Pd give up everything Just to know that she is safe." A srtiall dark-robed figure glided into the room. “Robert!” , ,___A — “Julie In less time than it takes to tell it, they were-4tt-each others’ arms, and explanations were coming thick and fast. “Y<>u_jgee» It was like this, Robert. Doctor said you would lose your voice if you persisted in keeping those engagements. I knew if I disappeared you would not do anything else until you found me. The doctor said he would keep Bie people mystified and their curiosity, and by keeping your name in the limelight they would "give you their sympathy and also their votes. You see his idea has worked out all right!” “But, Julie, what are you going to tell the public? Think of the scandal such a story wodM-cause!” “Oh, don’t worry,” answered Julie. “The doctor has been a fine press agent this week. We’ll let him think ftp a brilliant story that will thrill the public and satisfy the scandal-mon-gers.” "" And then the specialist paced up and down the floor, one hand on his hip, while the other stroked his black, glossy hair.-: —Will Seaton in Dllnols State Register.