The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-09-02
-:- OUR DAILY SHORT STORY <

the room, or meant to. She thrust her head through the curtains of the H. brary and looked about. The Author and the new secretary were on their knees before the safe. and the Author was teaching the secretary the combi- nation. "A foolish thing to do,' thought Rose. And then another thought entered her mind. Here was the opportunity to show her father about the safe. SefzinE x pad oi paper and pencil. she slipped hehind the great screen which stood partly across the library door. There she calm ly took down the combination num- bers as the Author told them off. Then she slipped out again, and in three minutes was heard coming through the library singing gally. She entered the study. still singing
 The Author looked up and grinned. but the secretary, who was still on his knees in front of the safe, did not even glance over his shoulder. He smiled a little as he kept on turning the combi- nation until 1t was clear past the open ing point He realized that he was be- ing tried. Rose stayed in the room for fully five minutes and then making a face at her father she retired.
 At one o'clock the Author faced his daughter over the luncheon table.
 AInAAICAy 1dtlSidCLoIy- years old and knows his business. Woman proof. too. You noticed that, didn't you, Rosie? I saw him smile as you went out. You can't fool him; he guessed in minute that you came in Just to have a look at him"
 Why. father. how acute you are
 The outhor looked at his daughter quizzicaliyy
 tsTIawortsf hAorI Az m- :. unknown. have $ous Rosie?''
 .,;A. TAiasi nd sishsd tho girl. dramati-
 Better keep yoNr eyes open. It might be my new secretary"
 If it should be you'd better get yours open looking for another, for in that case he would be no longer your secretary, but mine. When do I meet the gentleman?'
 'Hcw can I tell? You'n choose your own time and place and the devil will help you. I opine"
 That very evening the Author brag- ged at the dinner table concerning the infallibility of his safe When finally he took his guest to the garden for a smoke. Rose picked up candle and sauntered into the little study ''They love the darkness better than the light because their deeds are evil she quot- ed as she entered the dark room and set the candle on the floor before the safe.
 She had memorizeds the numbers of the combination and the first time she tried them the door clicked and swung open. Drawing out a. case of black Russian leather she smiled at finding it unlocked, and opening 1t took out a little necklace of pearls and a few oth- CT trinkets. Then she fished further Into the depths of the safe and drew out some bundles of heavy silver spoons. She was about to close the safe when she looked at the neat piles of manuscript and proof. She glanced nervously about and then with trembling haste drew out mAnu- script after manuscript until she found the one for which she seemed to be looking. Then she slammed the door of the safe and went quickly out, ex- tinguishing the flame of her candle as she did so.
 When the man behind the screen heard her footsteps on the stairs he came out and sat down at the desk in the unlighted room, the work he had meant to do unthought of. He felt dazed, dizzy. This girl, the girl for whom he had been looking for two y'ears-he had stumbled upon her in this suburban town; and she was a thief!
 He sat for long time in the dark ness and then left the house and went back to his lodgings. His brain whirl- ed and reeled. All right he tried to work out some explanation for every thing and in the morning he hit upon one. The girl was evidently klep- could not be a common thief. Doubtless she has flirted with the previous secretaries who were not woman proof until she had begulled them into betraying the secrets of the safe. This explained that curious wo- requirements of the Author. But thought this explanation seemed plausible It brought no relief to the secretary. for still he must find some way to save her. He must get back the missing articles before the Author discovered the loss. He must shield this girl whom he loved.
 , As he went to work that morning ne was conscious of feeiing of thank fulness that the weeks to come must be occupied with the finishing of the new book, and until that was finish ed the Author would have no time to think of other manuscripts. In the meantime there would be time to gain the girls acquaintance and perhaps get back the things.
 The Author was delighted with his new secretary and began to ask him to
  were nearly always refused on the plea that the walk back to his lodgings gave him the mueh-needed exercise. The first time he consented to stay the Author ushered him. without warning 10 his household, into the dining-room where Rose sat at the table, She looked up with a smile to greet her father and then rose hastily to her 'eet steadying herself against the table.
 MT. WeIton. my new secretary Rose" her father was saying. and in some way she managed to hold out her hand to the young man. It was icy ,oId and the secretary wondered lit- lie. As he looked at her face a wave ,f color passed over ft and he knew hat she had recognized him and won tered If she would mention it. If she lid not. of course 1t would not be his place.