The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-04-13

| the cnd OF the year tne new clefh WAS
at the head of the lace department at a
good salary. and at the close OF the
second year she was promoted to the
position of purchaser OF her line of
goods, going East thrice a year for
! that purpose. Mary deserved her
god luck, vet her advance had been
so rapid that she made some enemies,
who were always ready to do her an
i'll turn. But she also gained an ar
dent admirer in the cashier of the store,
Il rather ill-fayored man of uncertain
age. toward whom Mary had received
an unaccountable antipathy. When
ever Mr. Mullen came near her she be-
came as distant as possible, but her
shyncss, as he called it, only attracted
him more to her. 1t was only after he
had declared his love and offered her
his hand as If he were offering her Il
great honor. that he became convinced
that Mary positively disliked him.
Then, being mean at heart. he began
to hate her and plan for her humilia-
ton In short time he became very
friendly with one of the clerks under
Mary, fostered this girls dislike for
her superior skill and finally enlisted
| 4 ;,.lo Il, -l,i.. ..h
he had formulated.
One day, at noon recess, this girl
went to the tloorwalker and in great
excitement declared that a bolt of very
valuable lace had disappeared from the
counter. The foorwalker accompanied
her to the department and began a
thorough search for the missing lace.
Under the counter he found little
portfolio containing two magazines,
and between these magazines was hid
den the bolt of costly lace.
Whose portfolio is this:" he de
manded. sharply, holding up the lace.
"It belongs to Miss Fairchild," the
GIRL answered. readily, "but, surely, sir,
YOU cannot think she would steal the
lace. 1t must be some mistake, al
though she added, as if reluctantly
II heard her only yesterday say she
would give anything if it belonged to
her."
"When Miss Fairchild returns from
lunch tell her to come to the president S
Office and you accompany her" said
the floorwalker, turning away to re-
port the case to Mr.. Harper. When
Mary. who had not been told of the
charge against her, entered Mr.. Har-
per's office, in company with her under
clerk. she found the cashier and the
floorwalker with Mr.. Harper.
"Miss Fairchild," said Mr.. Harper,
"you are accused of purlolning valu-
able piece of lace from the counter.
Have you anything to say
Mary was stunned for moment,
but, conscious of her innocence, soon
found voice to say, with simple dignity
that "there must he some mistake"
"This young woman missed the lace
and called Mr.. Bray, who found it in
your magazine portfolio. How did it
get there?" asked Mr.. Harper.
IL am sure do not know" replied
Mary, with a great sinking of the
heart. 1t seemed as if dark abyss
yawned before her.
"You do not know, Miss Fairchild,
but | do" said Mr.. Harper, rising and
confronting the cashier, and the young
lace clerk, sternly.
Gwen if did not know that you
were innocent, | would never have be-
lieved you guilty But. fortunately, |
walked home few nights ago, behind
two of my employees, and overheard
them plotting this thing to bring dis
grace upon you. Mr.. Mullen" he said,
turning to the cashier, ''and you, Miss
Clark" speaking to the frightened lace
clerk. ''are now dismissed from my en-
ploy!"
They walked out in silence followed
by the tioorwalker, and Mary and Mr..
Harper were left alone.
Mary had borne herself with so much
dignity throughout the trial that the
president could not conceal his aamira-
ton. He asked himself if she were not
the woman to install as mistress of his
handsome home, and it did not take
him long to make his decision. Mary,
for her part. suddenly realiZ Il tina: Mr..
Harrer was bachelor, good looking
and still on the sunny side of life. and
a blush of embarrassment rose to her
cheek. When it was time for Miss
Fairchild to make her next sem-annual
Eastern trip she went. not rs the lace
purchaser, but rs the wife of Mr. Iar-
per, WHO accompanied her And the
first request that Mary, who could not
beer to think Of anyone being unhappy
on her account, made of her husband,
was that he take back the lace clerk
and the cashier into his employ. And
it being her first request, MIR. Harper
could not refuse, and Mary's cup of
happiness was full.
He is So set against feeling people
that he persistcntly refuses to be
weighed
FLOWS that
"Why, you know he'd have to tip