by Thomas Dixon
CHAPTER VI
AN OLD COMEDY
Norton had scarcely passed his gate on the way to catch the train when Cleoleft the window, where her keen eyes had been watching, and made her wayrapidly to the room he had just vacated.
Books and papers were scattered loosely over his table beside thetypewriter which he had, with his usual carelessness, left open.
With a quick decision she seated herself beside the machine and in twohours sufficiently mastered its use to write a letter by using a singlefinger and carefully touching the keys one by one.
The light of a cunning purpose burned in her eyes as she held up the letterwhich she had written on a sheet paper with the embossed heading of hishome address at the top.
She re-read it, smiling over the certainty of the success of her plan. Theletter 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."