Pleasantville weekly press., 1897-06-30

man, Win OOuDle GILL anu Laughing
face.
"Want to see me, Bob?" he cried as
be took chair.
"Yes," replied Mr.. Perkins. He
paused moment. "I'm worried and
puzzled, he added. Somebody is rob-
bing me Of my ideas
"Get outl'' said Mr.. Burnham.
"It's true," said Mr.. Perkins. "A
half dozen times within the last three
weeks have found myself face to fac.
with evidence that my private papers
have been tampered with"
Seems Incredible" said Mr.. Burn
ham.
"Yes, but it's true"
Suspect anybody"
"Yes.''
Perkins rang the bell.
George, he said, "tell Miss Phillips
that / want her,
"Hold on" said Burnham. II don't
like this. It's all wrong. just excuse
me-"
''Sit down." said Mr.. Perkins
The stout man sank back in his chair.
Then the door opened, and Alice enter
ed. She cast nervous glance from Per-
kins to Burnham. Her cheek paled a
little, but her lips were firmly COM
pressed. Perkins watched her narrowly.
''Sit down, Miss Phillips" he said.
II have called you in here to ask you
a few questions. Somebody has been
tampering with the private papers in
my desk, Miss Phillips"
The girl started, but she returned his
gaze fearlessly.
Yesterday afternoon this unknown
was at work again. The tampering
must have taken place while George
was absent from the Office. You, I think,
were here until he returned?"
II was here.' Her voice was clear
and steady.
"Did any one enter the outer office
during that timer
"Several men came to the door and
inquired for you. Mr.. Burnham is the
only one who entered"
"Did you sit where you could see my
private door?'
'Not all the time. I moved my type
writer table to the window and put the
screen about me-"
"May ask why you did that?"
The girl hesitated, but her gaze did
not finch.
"Because-because Of Mr.. Burnham' g
attentions.
"Come, now. protest. began the
stout man.
"Sit down." said Perkins.
He looked back at the girl. There
was deep flush on her cheeks.
"You mean that Mr.. Burnham paid
you attentions that you thought were
out of place in a public Officer"
Mr.. Perkins voice was cold and hard.
The girl compressed her lips.
eyes" she murmured.
"Hang it all, man." sputtered Burn
ham, ''what has my saying compli-
mentary word or two to a pretty girl
got to do with your alleged robbery"
The girl turned her head and looked
at him, and there was something In the
look that made the heart in Perkins
bosom leap for joy.
II have questioned George" he said
hurriedly, as if the business had begun
to nauseate him, land he corroborates
your statement. He saw Mr.. Burnham
stoop and murmur something to you
and-and you blushed."
"By George" cried Burnham, "this
is deucedly unkindl"
Perkins did not notice him. He was
looking at the girl.
"Yes," she slowly said, II remem-
ber. will tell you what he said."
"It is not necessary" said Perkins.
'fCertainly pot,' cried Bprnham.
"Do as you please" said Perkins.
"It.was only simple request" the
girl went on. "He said''-
II protest." cried Burnham.
"Go on" said Perkins. :
''He said that be wished to clean an
ink well, and he asked me for hairpin. +"
Burnham laughed boisterously.
"You see,'' he chuckled.
Perkins arose and fumbled in his vest
pocket.
els that your hairpin, Miss Phillips?"
he asked. ~ found it in the keyhole Of
my desk this morning."
Burnham arose. His face was livid.
''Just joke, practical joke,' be
muttered thickly and turned and rushed
from the room.
II knew it was that cur the instant
you entered the room,' said Perkins,
but his voice changed as the girl arose.
s.Just mo-moment, he stammered.
ell want to ask you one more ques-
tion."
Their, is new typewriter in the Per-
kins outer Office, but as Mrs. Alice
Phillips Perkins herself picked her out
it is believed that she is thoroughly
competent and trustworthy successor to
that esteemed lady.-W. r. Rose in
Cleveland Plain Dealer.