The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-03-15

L DShty Nao cV ahSiy thab ohC tuCAl
forthwith into the next room, where
her employer was busy at his desk.
''Mr. Sterling" she cried, 'it's an i'm.
pertinence for you to make me pres
ents! The fact that work for you is
no excuse"
He looked disconnected.
II hoped-you wouldn't know-the
trifies came from me-"
why did you do it?" she demanded
hotly.
you're not used to making your own
way-of course you miss things. And,
then, l knew your father, and wanted
to help you for his sake"
She stared half incredulously.
"You knew papa? When? Wherer'
I'm San Francisco-last winter. We
met In business way and got to be
friendly. He liked to talk about you,
and once he showed me your picture.
So you seemed like an old friend from
the first"
Betty's eyes had been opened, but
the look of annoyance did not leave
her face.
Il can supply my own wants. Please
do not send anything more she said,
and, with her head held high, went
back to her post.
Henderson glanced up inquiringly,
his face revealing half dozen i'm
pulses in as many seconds. Suddenly
he rose, took a step nearer and began
speaking rapidly in husky whisper.
Miss Vandevere, listen! I'm going
10 tell you secret / have fallen
heir to fortune. take the midnight
train for Canada to claim the legacy.
No one is to know of this until after
I'm gone-not even Sterling. Will you
come, too-away from this hateful life?
You know I love you. Decide at once!
There's no time for dallying. Say
you'll Gomez
The startled girl trembled in the hot
breath of his passion. Every vestige
Of color left her face.
at sudden" she faltered. II
must think it over Give me time"
"I'll call at your boarding house at
10 o'clock he on the watch. And re-
member how much there is at stake.
But know l can trust you"
Betty's voice seemed to have drop
ped down into her throat. There was
no response. A silence fell in which
she could hear the mufiled beating OF
her own heart.
That night Henderson was the first
to leave. Sterling was in the room.
and he could only give Betty glance
Of mute appeal as he went out.
She crouched over her desk with
blurred eyes. For time there was no
sound save the rustic Of TIE paper
Sterling pretended to read. At length,
throwing it down, he crossed to her
side.
"Still at work, Miss Vandevere?" he
said, new note in his big voice.
'I'll sooI finish now" she answered
without lifting her eyes. Don't wait,
please. I'll lock up
Betty heard him sigh as he went out
Hastily locking the door on the inside,
she withdrew the key and returned to
her seat
An hour dragged by. Now there
were shadows everywhere. The cor
ners were black with them. She felt
were contracting and might shut to-
gather and crush her.
Suddenly a key clicked in the lock.
She had barely time to drop behind q
chair before a man tiptoed into the
Office. AS he passed by her hiding
place the light from the street struck
across his face. For minute she
ceased to breathe He went hurriedly
on to the inner room, and after little
while gentle clicking told her that he
was working the combination Of the
safe.
Now was her chance! Quaking with
fright, she crept to the door opening on
the landing. One quick step and she
was outside. Then the unexpected
happened A food of light suddenly IL
the darkness; she saw that
the passage was full Of policemen.
And she had rushed straight into Tom
Sterlihg's arms!
"You! Oh, I'm SO glad" she gasped
Historically. Quick! The safe! You
are being robbed. Henderson,
But the men in blue had already
dashed past into the Office. There was
the sound Of a struggle, then a voice
dreadful curses = the same
voice she had once thought so cultured
and refined.
II overheard-this afternoon" Ster-
ling said quietly. II had grown sus-
picious before. If you really love him
he shall go free"
Love him? oh, no, no." Betty cried
with her face hidden on the big mans
shoulder. 81 didn't know until this
afternoon whom loved, but l do
noww
Maxine Thjnos Clear