Connecticut western news., 1897-08-19
. CONN. THURSDAY, AUGUST 19 1s97
Hold on," said Burnham. 1T don't like this. It's all wrong. Just excuse ,,,o

ilhe IulS. It till WIOuS. JuSb eAcuSo me-"
 "Sit down." said MT. Perkins.
 The stout man sank back in his chair. Then the door opened, and Alice enter ed. She cast a 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. "I have called you ill here to ask you 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?"
 1T 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. MT. 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 s attentions. 7"
 "Come, TOW. I 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 MT. Burnham paid you attentions that you thought were out of place in public office?''
 MT. Perkins voice was cold and hard. The girl compressed her lips.
 "Yes," she murmured.
 Hang it all, man," sputtered Burn ham, ''what has my saying compli- mentary word or two, to 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.
 ''I have questioned George" he said hurriedly, ,.s if the business had begun to nauseate him, "and he corroborates your statement. He saw MT. Burnham stoop and murmur something to you and-anG you blushed."
 By George" cried Burnham, "this is deucedly unkindp'
 Perkins did rot notice him. He was looking at the girl.
 "Yes," she slowly said, 'I remem- ber I will tell you what he said.'' It is not necessary, said Perkins.
 Certainly not" cried Burnham.
 ''Do as you please" said Perkins.
 It was only simple request" the girl went on. "He said'-
 1T protest" cried Burnham.
 "Go on," said Perkins.
 ."He said that he 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.
 Is that your hairpin, Miss Phillips?" he asked. "I found it in the keyhole of my desk this morning.
 Burnham arose. His face was livid.
 "Just a joke, practical joke," he muttered thickly and turned and rushed from the room.
 "I knew it was that cur the instant you entered the room," said Perkins, but his voice changed as the girl arose.
 "Just mo-moment," he stamme1ed. "I-I want to ask you one more ques- tion.''
 Thero is a 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.