Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-08-03
A HAIRPIN.

Mr.. Robert Perkins entered his pri.
vate Office with disagreeable frown.
He tossed his hat at the nearest hook
and dropped himself into his swivel
chair Then he lifted his knee In the
air. clasped his hands about II and
gnawed at his mnstacbe. Ordinarily
Mr.. Robert Perkins was q good looking
example of manhood. He wasn't at all
attractive at the present moment, how.
ever. That's what the fair haired girl
at the typewriter in the outer office
thought. She could see him when she
raised her eyes above her copy. and she
wondered what disturbed him so.
The fact Is, he was very much dis.
gruntled man. He had cause TO be.
Somebody was spying upon his move
ments Somebody was even prying into
his private affairs and stealing infOrma.
ton that was Of great value to him.
Mr.. Robert Perkins was real estate
operator, q man Of big deals, whose
name. in spite Of his two and thirty
years, was already power in the street.
Up to within few weeks be had been
singular!y successful. but now some.
body seemed to be- blocking all his i'm
portant moves Only the day before he
had prepared in sketcby way the plat
Of an extensive tiact he had meant Ia
secure. and now he had just discovered
that the price had been jumped OH him
to an extent that meant an outlay OF
$40, 600 more than hc had counted on.
He knew that his breast was the only
guardian Of this proposed deal-his
breast and his desk, for in the latter
was locked the precious plat.
Mr. Perkins pulled out his desk key
and thrust il into the keyhole. AT leas,
be attempted to do 80, but something
ipterf6rcd, something which stubborn
ly resisted the most violent effort. he
drew out the key and brought forth his
knife. A few minutes Of energetic pry-
ing and twisting dislodged the obstacle.
1t was hairpin.
a twisted hairpin Of hronzed wire.
Mr.. Perkins instinctively turned in bis
chair and looked toward the fair haired
girl at the typewriter. She was bend
ing over her work and did not see him.
Mr. Perkins knew that the fair haired
girl used hairpins Of bronzed wire.
Somebody had tried to pick his desk
lock with a bairpin, the same some
body who had been making mischief
for him right along. Gould It be that
innocent locking young woman! She
handled his letters; she was to some
extent familiar with his private bust
ness.
Mr.. Perkins opened his desk with q
bang. Then he struck sharply Oh call
bell that stood at his elbow. A boy ap-
peared in the doorway.
George" said Mr.. Perkins. "shut
the door"
When the lads back was turned, he
looked at tue hairpin again and sighed.
Then he thrust il carefully into his vest
pocket When the boy approached him,
he was gazing intently ut the plat
where it lay, apparently undisturbed,
in the desk.
George" said Mr.. Perkins, do you
remember that left early yesterday
afternoon?"
eyes, SIR" said George "You went
away ut 8 o'clock with Mr.. Tompkini
in carriage.
Ibid you leave the outer Office before
closing up timer
"Yes, sir. went 10 the postoffice
for stamps, and ] came back by the
way of Lawyer Briggs office and left
that abstract.
''How long were you gone?"
Bout half an hour. sir" p"
"was Miss Phillips in the Office
when you left:"
"Who-Miss Alice?"
"Yes, Miss Alice"
II was pretty name. II was the first
time Mr.. Perkins had spoken it, and he
thought it very pretty name, and
then his fingers closed Oh the hairpin
and his heart hardened.
"She was here when ! left and here
when come back. sir"
Anybody else here:'
''Mr. Burnham was in just before
left. He was talking to Miss Alice,
mr."
"Talking to Alice?
There was something in his snappy
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