The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-01-11

WatCnman WOulQ aQmlt neI IedOlly
enough, she knew, even if the book
keepers had finished and gone-and
often one or another of the clerks was
detained.
So in few moments later she re-
entered the store by the rear door.
How ghostly and empty it looked in
the dim light There was no sign of
life save the watchman s whistle away
up in one of the galleries. She hur-
ried toward Annie counter, and turn
ing a corner, came sharply upon
Robert Murdock !
How often she had wished for a
chance to question him Here it was
if she only knew how to use it.
did l frighten you?" he asked,
civilly. for she had given a startled
cry. IT merely stepped out to see
who was coming in. Mr.. Hale asked
me TO stay and help unpack some new
goods tonight"
Floy briefly explained her own pres
ence in turn. No one at Vane &
Hunts wanted any suspicion attach
ing to their movements just now.
Then-for she dared not let this gol-
den opportunity pass-she added hur-
riedly, IL want to ask you one
question. Involuntarily she caught
his arm and turned his face toward
the light.
"Well?"
us Robert Murdock your true
name 7"
"My true name. 1t was my father S
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 is, what's the
use? 1 know what you would say
either way There's no use wasting
time"
"And you wouldn't believe any
thing said-either way No, it's
not much use talking" he said bit
terly.
"I-I don't understand |" gasped
Floy, startled.
You think, Once a thief, always
a thief. Well, you won't believe
me, 1 suppose. I don't know why
you have kept my secret so long, un
less you liked to play with me as a
cat does with a mouse. Neverthe-
less, 1 will say this-as heaven hears
me, know nothing whatever about
the thefts in this store. I am as in
nocent of them as you are"
81 believe you - Floy exclaimed,
extending her hand eagerly. "And
1 don't believe that horrible old say
ing. Don't be angry with me, please.
1 didn't mean to be hard or cruel. I
never thought you cared to have me
speak to you. I wasn't playing with
you. kept still because I thought
it was right-and now I know it was.
You may trust me-"
He controlled his voice by an effort.
ttForgiVe ssae,- 4 zi1ouid ssot~have sPo-
ken so. You have right to choose
your acquaintances."
"The watchman is coming; l must
go at Annie's laces. But I know
what to believe now," and she hur-
ried on breathlessly. A moment later
she was hastily bringing order out of
chaos, even while explaining her re-
turn to her friend, the watchman.
"She's a careless oner' the old
man growled. "I'd let her do her
own Strengthening. 'Tisn't your busi .
ness"
"She was sick, you know" Floy
said, excusingly. 81 don't mind
helping her a little" She glanced
unconsciously over where Murdoch
was now arranging the new goods on
the shelves.
eff twas any of the other girls,
now, I'd just wonder if she hadn't an
idea that Bob Murdock might offer to
see her home,'' chuckled the watch
man. ''But 1 never saw you show
any weakness in that line"
"Oh, you don't see anything !"
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,
I'll warrant it was the first time"
At which suggestion Floy's ner-
vous fingers only flew the faster. She
did not care to talk more with him
tonight. Yet she was very glad she
had come. Her doubts were settled
now. Only-she wished she had been
a little less cautious and little kinder
"a little more just, perhaps. But at
least she was thankful that she had
not spoken out her doubts.
But when she entered the store the
next morning, the air was heavier
than ever with doubt and dread.
More losses had been discovered. The
girls huddled together, exchanging
wild guesses in frightened whispers.
The firm had not given out any word,
but there was unwonted hurrying to
and fro, the senior partner had been
summoned by telephone, and now was
closeted with Mr.. Hunt, the junior
partner, one of the floor walkers and
the head bookkeeper. And with them
was sharp-eyed little man no one
knew-a detective, perhaps. Mr..
Hale and the watchman had been
called before them, as the last per-
sons in the store the preceding night.
1t seemed that matters were to be
thoroughly sifted at last.
They'd better ask who else was
here last night" Katie Mcguire whis-
pered, ,venomously. "Mr. Hale wasn't t
the only ore."
"You don't mean Mr.. Murdock? !?
Why you might as we'll accuse par
son p cried two or three at once.
"No, don't mean Mr.. Murdock.
Somebody else was here after hours,
with a mighty poor excuse-some-
body that holds herself quite too high
and mighty to go with ordinary
folks
"Floy Irving? o bosh ! She came
to obliqe Annie. Flows one of the