The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-25

over ner races.
At closing time the girls gathered in
little knots, discussing with anxious
looks, the affair of the lost note. Mar
garet said little, but listened to the
others with face which showed that the
graver concern had for the time shut out
all minor worries.
SITS shame, I declare" said Janet,
taking Margaret's hand in her own, "for
these rich people to come and make trou-
bic for us poor girls about their money!
"When they've so much of it that they
don't know how to take care of it!"
chimed in another.
''If I were so careless as to lose it, l
should want to keep still about it."
Mr.. Ives came about with sober, in
quiriug look as the tired girls busted
themselves in putting things in order
after the days work.
Margaret began to pack the choicest
of her laces, to be stored in the vault in
which the most valuable articles were
put away at night, her eyes still keeping
up their search, although she had given
up all hope OF finding the bill.
The safe was at the back part of the
store, and she made several journeys to
it before the things under her care were
all put away.
"What's that?"
Just as she was stepping out, after de-
posting her last armful, something on
the floor caught her eye, so vaguely in
the gathering shadows that she was not
sure that it was moro than passing
fancy. Yet how could she be mistaken
in that dim fash of dingy green?
With heart beating in sudden hope,
she quickly ran back into the vault, and
with little cry of joy snatched up some
thing, and again turned toward the mas
sive door.
Creak-bang! Just as she reached it.,
it closed in her face. Without dreaming
what this might mean, she pushed on
the door with her hand, calling out: 81
am here! Open, please!"
D But another creaking sound had min
gled itself with her words. Mr.. Ives,
who had seen her come out, had then
turned his head to speak to some one
else, failed to see her rush in again,
and had turned the knob which set the
combination.
Janet Randall sprang quickly toward
him.
"Margaret Lee is in the vault" she
said, excitedly.
"No; saw Miss Lee come out before
I closed it."
"She ran back. Hear her! Open it
at once, please"
s'But 1 cannot. The combination is
set, and I do not know it" he said, gaz-
ing at Janet in growing uneasiness.
"Where is Mrs. Adams9" cried Janet
to the girls who were gathering near.
"She hasn't gone home, has she? Bring
her-quick! Margaret is shut up in the
safe!"
A chorus of dismay ross, while num-
Der of the girls hurried to seek Mrs.
Adams, who was the only employe who
knew the combination.
"Margaret!" cried Janet, going close
to the door.
eyes, Janet, here I am"
30 Margaret, you're not frightened,
arc you2"
"No," Margaret replied; "but why
don't they open the door2"
"They will, in a minute. You see,
the combinations sprung, aud they're
bringing Mrs. Adams to open it..
81 hope she'll hurry"
sShe's coming now. Well have you
out at once.
Mrs. Adams, intercepted just as she
was going out, was brought back in hot
haste. She uttered little scream when
she was told what was the matter.
"WhY, can't remember the combina-
tion! Where's Mr.. Barrow Where's
Mr.. Price2"
Quietly and firmly equal to the every
day demands upon her, Mrs. Adams
failed completely in the moment of this
With another cry of dis
tress, she sank down in hysterical con-
dition.
"Why, the girl will smother-she will
die in there!" she exclaimed.
"Where is Mr.. Price9" Janet asked,
in desperation.
"Mr. Price has gone to a lawn festi-
val over in Elm Park" said Mr.. Ives.
"Telephone to him, and tell him it is
life or death whether he gets here i'm
mediatcly."
"1Iargaret!" again called Janet.
"Yes9'
"Haye patience a little longer, dear.
There is delay in opening, but every
thing is being done to get you out.
Courage, Margaret! Speak to mel"
Janet" Margaret called, "tell Mr.
Ives"
"Yes, here am."
"I-I-Tve found"
The voice seemed to die away.
"Go on, Margaret" screamed Janet.
buC no answer Cdtue, save au oCG'tsioual
gasping murmur, and Janet crouched
upon the floor in speechless agony.
There seemed no nope. Mrs. Adams
was more hysterical than ever, and could
recall nothing of the combination. The
telephone rang, but Mr.. Price could not
be reached.
After the closing of the door, Marga-
ret had turned and glanced about her,
half-expecting to see some rays of light.
But the absolute blackness frightened
and oppressed her.
"How dark" she said. II never
really knew before what real darkness
is"