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

A HAIRPIN.
Mr.. Robert Perkins entered his pri-
vate Office with a 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 it and
gnawed at his mustache. Ordinarily
Mr.. Robert Perkins was 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, 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 he had been
singularly successful, but now some
body seemed to be blocking all his i'm
portant moves. Only the day before he
had prepared in sketchy way the plat
Of an extensive tract he had meant to
secure, and now he had just discovered
that the price had been jumped on him
to an extent that meant an outlay OF
$40, 900 more than he had counted on.
He knew that his breast was the only
guardian of this proposed deal-hls
breast and his desk, for in the latter
was locked the precious plat
Mr.. Perkins pulled out his desk key
and thrust it into the keyhole. At least
he attempted to do SO, but something
interfered, 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 bronzed wire.
Mr.. Perkins instinctively turned in his
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 hairpin, the same some
body who had been making mischief
! for him right along. Gould it be that
innocent looking young woman? She
handled his letters; she was to some
extent familiar with his private bust
ness.
Mr.. Perkins opened his desk with a
bang. Then he struck sharply on 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 the hairpin again and sighed
Then he thrust it carefully into his vest
pocket. When the boy approached him
he was gazing intently at the pla
where it lay, apparently undisturbed
in the desk.
| George" said Mr.. Perkins, edo yol
remember that I left early yesterda.
afternoon"
eyes, SIR" said George. "You wen
away at O'Clock with Mr.. Tompkin
in carriage.
| "Did you leave the outer office befor'
closing up timer"
Eyes, sir. I went to the postoffic
for stamps, and I came back by tn
way Of Lawyer Briggs office and lef
that abstract
''How long were you gomez
",Bout half an hour, sir"
"Was Miss Phillips in the offic
when you left?"
"Who-Miss Alice?''
"Yes, Miss Alice"
1t was pretty name. It was the fiIs
time Mr.. Perkins had spoken it, and b
thought it very pretty name, an
then his fingers closed Oh the hairpi
! and his heart hardened.
"She was here when left and her
, when come back, sir. /"
Anybody else here?"
''Mr. Burnham was in just before
left. He was talking to Miss Alice
cir.
Talking to Alice?"
There was something in his snapp
tone that carried the intimation ths
Mr.. Perkins didn't like this informi
tion.
/ Eyes, sir, talking confidential lik'
} When looked around, he stopped dow
and said something real low, and Mi
Alice kind Of blushed."
s'That will do, George"
,, As the boy opened the door Mr.. Pc
kiDs called him back.
"Step across the hall to Mr.. Burr
/ hams Office and tell him ! want to q
him. =
1 Two minutes later Mr.. Tom Burr
o ham pulled in. He was short, sto'
man, with double chin and laughir
face.
"Want to see me, Bob?" he cried
be took chair.
eyes" replied Mr.. Perkins. I
paused moment. "Tm worried az