Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-07-16

blng me or my ideas.
"Get outp' said Mr.. Burnham.
cts true" said Mr.. Perkins. "a
half dozen times within the last three
weeks 1 have found myself face to face
with evidence that my private papers
have been tempered with. "
''Seems incredible" said Mr. Burn
ham.
eyes, but it's true. "
Suspect anybody"
eyes
Perkins rang the bell.
George, he said, tell Miss Phillips
that / want her..
"Hold on, said Burnham. 81 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
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, l 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. moved my type
writer table to the window and put the
screen about me-"
"May I ask why you did that?''
The girl hesitated, but her gaze did
not finch.
"Because-because of Mr.. Burnham' s
attentions.
"Come, now 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 Mr.. Burnham paic
you attentions that you thought were
out of place in 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 a compli
mentary word Or two to pretty CIR
got to do with your alleged robbery"
The girl turned her head and looked
at him, and there was something in thu
look that made the heart in Perkins
bosom leap for joy.
81 have questioned George" he sait
hurriedly, as if the business had begun
to nauseate him, "and he corroborate
your statement. He saw Mr.. Burnhan
stoop and murmur something to you
and-and you blushed.
"By George" cried Burnham, "thi
is deucedly unkindP'
| Perkins did not notice him. He wa
looking at the girl.
eyes," she slowly said, IT remem
Der. I will tell you what he said. 7"
"It is not necessary" said Perkins
Certainly not" cried Durham.
"Do as you please" said Perkins.
"It was only simple request" tn
girl went on. "He said''-
i II protest." cried Burnham.
$50 on" said Perkins.
'He said that he wished to clean a
ink we'll, and he asked me for a hairpin.
Burnham laughed boisterously.
4, "You see," he chuckled.
II Perkins arose and fumbled in his yes
pocket.
"Is that your hairpin, Miss Phillips?
he asked 81 found it in the keyhole {
my desk this morning"
Burnham arose. His face was livid.
"Just joke, practical joke" b
muttered thickly and turned and rushe
+ from the room.
a II knew it was that cur the instaI
q you entered the room," said Perkins
but his voice changed as the girl arose
"Just mo-moment, he stammeret
a ell want to ask you one more que
/ tion."
Thero is q new typewriter in the Pc
kins outer Office, but as Mrs. Alit
{ Phillips-Perkins herself picked her OF
it is believed that she is thorough
competent and trustworthy successor
that esteemed lady.-W. r. Rose
4 Cleveland Plain Dealer.
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