Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-03-27

visited several oil the counters THIS morn
ing"
GOA yes, she did," came in an under
toned groau from one or two victims.
"And has reported at the office the
Iloss of hundred dollar bill"
There was small sensation, while
many eyes turned upon Margaret.
"Those of you with whom Mrs. Rayne
dealt will please make very careful search
for the money among your goods"
"Too badl" exclaimed Janet, as the
man left the room. "That bothering
woman kept you fooling over her trashy
bits all the morning, Margaret, and now
You'll have to spend the best part of the
afternoon looking for her bill. And after
all, she has probably lost it somewhere
else, or not lost it at all"
eyes" said Margaret, ~ shall have
to 90 to the bottom of every box, and
shake out every piece In the stock, for
she wouldn't be satisfied until l had
shown her thevery last inch this morn
ing. But do, hope some of us will fn6
it,"
Margaret used every cha nee moment
of leisure to search for the missing bill.
A heavy shower brought check upon
the rush into the great store, and witt
patient hands and keen eyes she turned
over her laces.
At closing time the girls gathered in
little knots, discussing with anxious
looks. the affair of the lost note. Mar
caret said little, but listened to the
others with adace which showed that the
praver concern had for the time shut out
all minor worries.
"It's a shame, I declare" said Janet,
taking Margaret's'hand in her own, "for
these rich peoplcto come and make trou~
BILE 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 l were so careless as to lose it, l
should want tokeep still about it,"
Mr.. Ives came about with sober, iu-
quiring look as the tired girls busted
themselves in putting things in order
after the day's'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
M 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 thingaunder 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 more than a passing
fancy. Yet how could she be mistaken
in that dim flash of dingy greene
With a heart beating in sudden hope,
she quickly ran back into the vault, and
with little cry of joy snatched up some
thing, and againturned tOwardthe mas
sive door.
Creak-bang! Just as she reached it,
il 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"
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; l saw Miss Lec'c come out before
closed it,"
"She ran back. Hear her! Open it
at once, please"
"But cannot. The combination is
set, and l do not know it, he said, gaz-
ing at Janet in growing uneasiness.
"Where is Mrs. Adamsl" cried Janet
to the girls who were gathering near.
''Stc hasn't gone home, has shel Bring
her-quickl Margaret is shut up in the
safe!n
A chorus of dismay rose, while num-
Der of the girls hurried to seek Mrs
Adams, who was the only employe who
knew the combination.
"Margaretl" cried Janet, going close
TO the door.
eyes, Janet, here am"
80 Margaret, you're not frightened,
are youl"
"No," Margaret replied; "but why
don't they open the door'"
"They will, in a minute. You see,
the combinations sprung, and they're
bringing Mrs. Adams to open It,
~ hope she'll hurry"
"She'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