The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-12-25
FLOY'S SILENCE.
&NN&,
By ADA FERRIS

, life save the watchman's whistle away
up in one of the galleries. She hur-
| ried toward Annie's counter, and turn
ing a corner, came sharply upon-Rob-
| ert Murdock
How often she had wished for a
chance to question him! Here 1t was
if she only knew how to use it.
Did frighten you?" he asked, civ
| lily, for she had given a startled cry.
81 merely stepped out to see who was
coming in. Mr.. Hale asked me to stay
and help unpack some new good to-
night"
Floy briefly explained her own pres
ence in turn. No one at Vane &
Hunts wanted any suspicion attaching
to their movements just now. Then
for she dared not let this golden oppor-
tunity pass-she added hurriedly, q
] want to ask you one question" In
voluntarily she caught his arm and
turned his face toward the light.
"Well?"
rs Robert Murdock your true
name?"
MY true name. 1t was my fathers
before me. Jameson was only my
stepfather. Is that all?" For she had
dropped her hand and turned away
with gesture of hopelessness.
"Yes-no! That lis, what's the use?
| know what you would say-either
way There's no use wasting time"
And you wouldn't believe anything
| said-either way No, it's not much
use talking" she said bitterly.
IL don't understand" gasped
Floy, startled.
You think, Once thief, always a
thief. Well, you won't believe me, |
suppose. | don't know why you have
keN my secret so long, unless you
liked to play with me as a cat does
with a mouse Nevertheless, | will
say this-as heaven hears me, l know
nothing whatever about the thefts
in this store, | am as innocent of
them as you are"
81 believe you!" Floy exclaimed, ex-
tending her hand eagerly. And
don't believe that horrible old saying.
Don't be angry with me, please.
didn't mean to be hard or cruel. l
never thought you cared to have me
speak to you. | wasn't playing with
you. / kept still because | thought 1t
was right-and now know it was.
You may trust me-"
He controlled his voice by an effort.
Forgive me, l should not have spok-
en- so. You have a right to choose
your acquaintances."
"The watchman is coming; | must
go at Annies laces. But know what
to believe now" and she hurried on
breathlessly. A moment later she was
hastily bringing order out of chaos,
even while explaining her return to
her friend, the watchman.
She's careless one!" the old man
growled. 'Fd let her do her own
Strengthening. 'Tisn't your business"
'She was sick, you know" Floy
said, excusingly. 81 don't mind help
ing her little" She glanced uncon-
sciously over where Murdoch was now
arranging the new goods on the
shelves.
IF twas any of the other girls
row, I'd Just wonder if she hadn't an
idea that Bob Murdoch might offer tc
see her home" chuckled the watch
man. But ! never saw you show any
weakness in that line"
"Oh, you don't see everything" Floy
laughed, although her cheeks famed
But I'll be done and at home LONG
before he can get away"
"Oh, if you spoke to him tonight, II
warrant it was the first time"
At which suggestion Floy's nervous
fingers only flew the faster. She die
not care to talk more with him to
night Yet she was very glad she hat
come. Her doubts were settled now
Only-she wished she had been a lit
tie less cautious and a little kinder
little more just, perhaps. But a
least she was thankful that she hat
not spoken out her doubts.
But when she entered the store tn,
next morning, the air was heavie
than ever with doubt and dread. Nor,
losses had been discovered. The girl
huddled together, exchanging wilt
guesses in frightened whispers. TIL
firm had not given out any word, bu
there was unwonted hurrying to ant
fro, the senior partner had been sum
moned by telephone, and now wa
closeted with Mr.. Hunt, the JUNO
partner, one of the floor walkers AM
the head bookkeeper. And with then
was a sharp-eyed little man no on
know-a detective, perhaps. Mr.. Hal
and the watchman had been called be
fore them, as the last persons in tn
store the preceding night. 1t SCENE
that matters were to be thorough
sifted at last.
They'd better ask who else wa
here last night" Katie Mcguire whis
| pered. venomously. "Mr. Hale WASH
; the only one"
''You don't mean Mr.. Murdock? VIII