The Portland daily press., 1896-10-16


with my key aud took UP post In the
private office. The door was left half open
SO that good view could be had Of Miss
Wilkins desk.
The hands Of the clock indicated ten
minutes to the hour when heard key
rattle, the door open and footsteps That
was Mike. could tell by the heavy tread.
heard him roll up the blinds and advance
toward the offices. He was In view now
through the open door, and I saw him lay
something on Miss Wilkins desk.
"Is that you, Mikes'' called.
He quickly reached out his hand to seize
the flowers, but before he could get them
out of my sight I was at his side
My mind rapidly scanned the whole sit
uation. 1t could not be that this poor Ital-
ian was spending his hard earned wages
typewriter. He must be an agent, and it
was to regain my position in the office.
mike" l began sternly, "what were
you doing with those violets?"
"Giyva de young lade,'' he replied sui
lenly.
fSee here, you rascal, cried, seiaing
his arm, "you might as well tell me the
truth. Who gave you those violets to put
on Miss Wiltkin IS desk? won't stand any
fooling.''
''Me givva de 1ow," he growled. "Me
Iowa de lade."
He was short and stout, but SO fat that
I doubted not that my Is years. daily exer-
else with dumbbells would stand me in
good stead I was angry-terribly angry
AS I felt that the moment when could
III L II. T
the power to clear me refused.
"Mike," / cried In threatening tone,
"tel me quickly who got you to put those
vioiets there or win shake you within an
inch Of your life"
Mike new tell Leggo moi" he logged
ly retorted
Not until you tell me. - / replied, grasp
ing his arm tighter.
He gave quick jerk that loosened my
hold and threw me violently against the
safe, and when regained my feet he was
running for the door as fast as his fat legs
would carry him.
In minute was ON his back, we were
down together and rolling and graphing
over the dusty floor. At length emerged
from the struggle, bruised, bedraggled,
but triumphant. had my opponent face
aoWnwafo on 1ne MOOT ana was seated firm
~ on ms naok. 50 afeer dumping his head
on Ine noor py way on emphasis said:
Now MIKE niean you no narm. You
ana naVeaiWeys neen TRENDS, ana trust
ehaO we VAL commune SO. But si5 right
mere un0A you veal me VINO gave you tnose
vioieos 70 pue On MISS "il1Kins desk was
II MT NE ouOoernuc w, ., Mr. BOOKS OF
Mike ney oeAi' panied ene prosorate
poreea' 1ntakins ie a anu easily rus
'saVeo enoas W .1se hlnse1i'
Ahu MiAe - rlsi1. appreciate MS
ialOniulness, came quleU voice nom be-
niho me. Anu looked up ln1o tne lace
Oh 0yrus 1uee'
Mlon ne,vy neare ! loilo"ed one senior
partner 10 ms private room. ne sanA ln1o
ms chalr ana Ior slne gazeo ON me In
slience as l $1,000 WaioinS 6ne coming OF
she seorin, 10. IL sesneu 70 me 0nat my Oh
iehse ., hgneing WIN tne poroer Woulo Dc
ample .usuinoaolon Ior 'ne infhooion OF ehe
most severe measures. But instead OF a
ooWnpouH OF reproacn nearo;
wen. Dookooy. l don't blame you
mucn. Ferhaps snoulo not nave deceived
you DUE, you &c., was yeaious. mad the
vaoiets pun tnere, and then heard the
boys whispering ABOUT you and thought
0ha' would SEND Tor yon-er-to see how
you $1,000 ANS morning came early to