The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-07-09

poe61 " tepoxt u that honr, but exp@t-
encolea tGu6hb ne that ~ first ono y
neyer expsctod until half an hour latcr.
10 Hent down st 7:R0, ~ myself In
( With nyfsHy and took upn post Id The
prisats onaoA The door was lsft bali spen
70 that good yiew could be had Of Miss
villains desk.
The hands Of the clock indicated tan
minutes TO the hour whom ] heard key
rattle, the door open and footsteps. That
was Mike ] could tell BY tho heavy tread.
/ heard him roll up tho blinds and advance
toward tho Offices He was In view now
/ through the open door, and ! saw him 10y
something on Miss Wilkins desk.
'Is that you, Nike" I called.
Hequickly REACHED out his hand to seise
the flowers but before be could got than
out Of my sight was ut his side.
My mind rapidly scanned the whole sit
uation. II could not DO that this poor Ital-
Ian was spending his hard earned wages
purchasing violets al 81 q bunch for our
typewriter. He must DO an agent, and 1t
behooved me 70 learn for whom II over
was to regain my position In the office.
"Mike,," I began sternly, "what wero
you doing with those violets9" =
"Givya do young lade, he replied sui
lenly.
'.See hero, you rascal, cried, selling
his arm, "you might rs well tell me the
truth. Who gave you those yiolets to put
on Miss Wilkins deskP I won't stand any
fooling."
"Me givva do aow," he growled. "Me
Iowa de lade"
HO was short and stout, but 30 fat that
I doubted not that my is years. daily exer-
else with .dumbbells would stand me In
good stead. was angry-terribly angry
las felt that the moment when could
know all had come and this man who had
the power to clear me refused.
"Mike," cried In threatening tone,
"tell me quickly who got you to put those
violets there or will shake you within an
inch Of your life -
mike nev tell Leggo mep' he dogged-
ly retorted.
mot until you tell me- +" replied, grasp
ing his arm tighter.
He gave quick jerk that loosened my
hold and threw me violently against tho
safc, and when regained my feet he was
running for the door as fast US his fat legs
would carry him.
In minute was on his back, we were
down together and rolling and graphing
over the dusty floor. At length emerged
from the struggle, bruised, bedraegled,
but triumphant. had my opponent face
downward on the floor and was seated firm
" on his back. So after humping his hoad
on the floor by way Of emphasis l said:
"Now, Mike, mean you no harm. You
and have always been friends, and trust
that We will continue So But 1 sit right
hero until you tell me who gave you those
violets to put on Miss Wilkins desk Was
It Mr.. D.tternut or Mr.. Books Or
"Mike ncv tell, painted tho PROSTATE
porter, making % feeble and easily frus.
trated effort to free himself.
"And Mike is right. / appreciate his
faithfulness," camo q quiet voice from be-
hind me. And looked up into tho face
Of Cyrus 'Tute.
with heavy heart followed the senior
partner to his private room. lie sank into
his chair and for time gazed on me in
silence as stood waiting the coming OF
the storm, for it seemed to INC that my Of
Tense Of fighting with tho porter would DO
ample justification for the intliction of tho
most severe measures But instead Of q
dowDnour q reproach beard,
HMcn, Docs BOY, / uon't blame you
much Perhaps should not have deceived
you; but, you sec, was jealous. had the
violcts put there, and then heard tho
boys whispering about you and thought
that would send for you-er-to see how
you Stood This morning came carly to
tell Mike not to put them there any moro,
because after certain incidents last
night Ho hesitated and then added:
"Unlcss you're fool You II know all about
1t anyway. After certain incidents that
occurred last night they would he out of
place. She won't come down any more, "
"Mr, Jute," I-said grasping his hand,
"urtil got hold Of Mike did not know
Just what my sentiments were. thought
was mad ut being suspected of being
little foolish Do you know, | begin to sus-
pect maybe was jealous Have you got
her address,"
had finished my explanation. Lieu
tenant Swash picked up his cane and then
carefully scanned every nook and Granny
In tho room.
is she here9" he whispered Grammatical
ly.
NO." said, "but she will be in min
ute"
He brought his cane down Oh the floor
/ with crash and cried;
'"rhcn III have time to repeat your
words Confusion to Cyrus .Iute, Butter
nut, Pccks, Columns and the whole Grey
of tho outer office. F."
"These wero my words in the begin
ming" said, "but not now Odds and
EEds.