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

BY ADA FERRIS.

ence In turn. No one at yane &
Hunts wanted any suspicion attaching
to their movements just now. Then
for she dared not let this golden oppor-
tunity pass-she added hurriedly, Il
want to ask you one question" In
voluntarily she caught his arm and
turned his face toward the light.
"Well?" .~-~---'
'Is Robert Murdoch your true
name?"
My true name. It 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! aThat is, what's the use?
know what you would say-either
way! There's no use wasting time"
"And you wouldn't believe anything
I said-either way! No, it's not much
use talking" she said bitterly.
IL don't understand" gasped
Floy, startled.
"You think, Once a thief, always
thief Well, you won't believe me,
suppose. l don't know why you have
kert my secret so long. unless you
liked to play with me as cat does
with q mouse. Nevertheless, will
say this-as heaven hears me, I know
nothing whatever about the thefts
In this store. am as innocent OF
them as you are"
II believe you'll" Floy exclaimed. ex-
tending her hand eagerly. "And l
don't believe that horrible old saying.
Don't be angry with me, please. l
didn't mean to be hard or cruel. l
never thought you cared to have me
speak to you. wasn't playing with
you. I kept still because l thought 1t
was right-and now l know 1t was.
You may trust me-"
He controlled his voice by an effort.
Forgive me, l should not have spok-
en- 50. You have right to choose
your acquaintance"
THE Waterman Is coming; I must
go at Annie's 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 t.
her friend, the Waterman.
She's q careless one!" the old mar
growled. "Pd let her do her owl
Strengthening. 'Tisn't your business"
'She was sick. you know" Flo,
said. excusingly. II don't mind help
ing her little" She glanced uncon
sciously over where Murdoch was nov
arranging the new goods on tn
shelves.
"If twas any of the other girls
now, I'd just wonder II she hadn't al
idea that Bob Murdoch might offer t,
see her home" chuckled the watch
man. But I never saw you show an,
weakness In that line"
"Oh, you don't see everything!" Flo,
laughed, although her cheeks famed
But I'll be done and at home lon
before he can get away"
"Oh, IL you spoke to him tonight, II
warrant 1t was the first time"
At which suggestion Floy's nervou
fingers only few the faster. She di
i not care to talk more with him Il
= night. Yet she was very glad she ha
come. Her doubts were settled nov
Only-she wished she had been III
9 tie less cautious and little kinder
little more just. perhaps. But {
least she was thankful that she ha
: not spoken out her doubts.
i But when she entered the store II
y next morning, the air was heavi'
than ever with doubt and dread. MOI
y losses had been discovered. The CIR
T. huddled together, exchanging wi
o guesses In frightened whispers. tt
/ firm had not given out any word, b
e there was unwonted hurrying to ar
n fro, the senior partner had been sun
moned by telephone, and now wi
d closeted with Mr.. Hunt, the juni,
'e partner. one Of the moor walkers Al
= the head .bookkeeper. And with the
ID was a sharp-eyed little man no OF
" know detective. perhaps. Mr.. Ha
y. and the Waterman had been called b
lie fore them. as the last persons in Il
Id store the preceding night. It SCENE
= that matters were to be thorough
10 sifted at last.
n "They'd better ask who else "
I'd here last night" Katie Mcguire viii
I'd pered. venomously. Mr.. Hale wasl
ne the only one"
In You don't mean Mr.. Murdoch? w
you might AZ well accuse a parson
h. cried two or three at once.
a? mo, I don't mean Mr.. Murdo<
at Somebody else was here after hou
sd with a mighty poor excuse-somebo
ep that holds herself quite too high a.
es mighty to go with ordinary folks"
OF "Floy Irving? o bosh! She came
We oblige Annie. Floy's one Of the nics
at girls In the store"
Maybe, but II was Mr.. Hunt
1 look into her obligingness little.
OF course. this was not before Flo
ne face, but she caught enough 81
ad glances and incautious words to ma
ly. her very uncomfortable. IT'S OF
IN Katie's Spite" she told herself. but 6
ut went her work flushed and nervo
OK not forgetting, however, to give RI
ert Murdoch a nod and smili
Use Good mornings
ut How gravely he returned IL! But
lily course this suspense was even har'
X for him than for the other. A IN