Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-01-10

ing that private room just little
while ago? The villain In a story
book might make false accusation TO
rid himself of troublesome witness,
but In real life II only her cheeks
would not burn so! ] was enough TO
make any one suspect her. and the
very thought made them burn hotter.
All this flashed through F1oy's mind
as she walked quickly from her coun-
ter to the door Of the private once;
but IL her heart beat SO fast that II
seemed to choke her, she carried her
head bravely.
Inside the dreaded portal she passed,
outwardly calm, inwardly ngnting
down a panic. The partners and head
bookkeeper were in close consultation.
kindly Mr.. Hunt nodded to her, bid
ding her sit down, but nervous Mr..
vane snapped out shortly:
I'VE hear that you were here after
hours last night, Miss Irving. How is
that? And how did you get int"
Floy explained briefly why and how
she had returned, forcing herself to
speak steadily, although all the time
something seemed whispering in her
ear. How, should they know that un-
less he has forestalled you by throw
ing suspicion on you? Why did you
let yourself be convinced so easilyi
Didn't you know, that man who
would steal would lie? Why didn't
you speak out at firstf After he has
once accused you, your story will
sound like a weak attempt at self-de-
| fence. r
And she could only tell herself, des-
perate,y, 81 told him he might trust
me. / can't break my word unless
am sure. s p
How long were you here? What
did you do? Be exact, now" Mr.. Vane
demanded, while Mr.. Hunt leaned
hack. watching her with an odd,
amused air that bewildered and
alarmed Ter, as IL he were expecting
she did not know what. Certainly
not the matter-of-fact answer she
gave.
Mot over 20 minutes, I think.
stepped to exchange a few words with
Mr.. Murdock-maybe i've minutes. I
put the counter and drawers in order
as quickly as possible, and went out
as 1 came in. The Waterman spoke to
me while I was at work, but that did
not delay me-"
"And what were you talking about,
IL may ask?' Mr.. Vane snapped. Mr.
Hunts eyes twinkled as he waited for
her answer.
That voice seemed to roar In heI
ears, Tell it all You will never have
such chance again. Can't you see
that he has accused you to save him
seif?" But she said, steadily, "Oh, the
Waterman leased me about coming
back 30 as to talk with Mr.. Murdoch
We told each other how we happened
to come back to the store, and"
And what?' Mr.. vane demanded
sharply, as she hesitated.
"And complained a little about hov
nervous these mysterious thefts wer
making us ALL" she finished, boldly.
What do you think about thes
thefts, Miss Irving?" Mr.. Hunt asked
suddenly, his eyes twinkling NOR
than ever.
Once more Flow desperately tough
on great temptation. u don't knov
, what to think"
He chuckied. rubbing his hands to
: gether In satisfaction.
! "You understand stenography an
typewriting. am told?" =
: Eyes, sir" gasped Floy, staring. Sh
: had taken great pains to learn, hoI
I ing to md q better position, but s
4 far none had offered.
well, am without a private cler
e this morning. Sit down there and pr
r these letters into shape. II you pleas
Q These to be answered-according I
8 the notes l have scrubbed on then
d You know the proper form, Of course
e Floy obeyed, feeling perfectly daze'
It The partners went out and were gor
d some time. She was just finishing tn
+ task assigned when Mr.. Hunt n
8 turned. He looked over the letter
n tested her skill In shorthand, the
d thoroughly COMPOUNDED her by saying
n How would you like the place {
70 my private clerk and typewriter, Mi
q Irving? I haye been obliged. to pa
3 with young Croydon. He talked te
70 freely of my business Affairs. Yc
d don't write quite 80 fast, but see yc
y know how to keep q secret to perfe
uon."
- 81! Keep a secret?" Floy gasped.
= He laughed and patted her should
t In his fatherly fashion. Let me p,
your mind at ease about Bob Murdoc
y know all about that Jameson affai
!" The boy told me himself when he FIR
asked for work. His father and l We
old friends. don't think I'll regr
s, giving him a fair chance. And nc
~ the mystery of the thefts Is solved.
ID was the janitor of the place next doc
He found a board loose In the partiti'
TO between the cellars, and thought
st had discovered q bonanza-thought
never would be suspected. But VIII
d he tried to dispose Of the things
was caught. ''-.~---- -.'.
Is Tut, tut, child. don't cry! You
De done splendidly. expected every d
ke that you would speak out, and ha