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

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tie later she saw him entering the
private Office.
A particularly exasperating custo-
mer taxed her attention to the utmost
for the next quarter of an hour, but
her long breath of relief as the wo-
man departed was cut short by the
ominous words:
"You are wanted in the private
office, Miss Irving"
"I? What for" Floy gased in
dismay.
'I do not know. No doubt they
will tell you." Was it only her
fancy, or was the tone frosty with
suspicion? She saw the girls around
exchange startled glances, heard
Katie's exultant whisper, "You see
Didn't tell you SOP" and Jennie's
indignant 'Hush That doesn't
mean anything"
Of course it did not, Floy told her
self. 1t was only their excitement
which gave significance to such
trihe. To be sure, girls were not
summoned to the private office often.
But why should she be nervous
What if she had seen Robert Muir
dock entering the private room just
little while ago? The villain in a
story book might make false accu
sation to rid himself of a troublesome
witness, but in real life-if only her
| cheeks would not burn so It was
enough to make anyone suspect her,
and the very thought made them
burn hotter.
All this flashed through Floy's
mind as she walked quickly from her
counter to the door of the private
office but if her heart beat so fast
that it seemed to choke her, she car
| ried her head bravely.
Inside the dreaded portal she pass
ed, outwardly calm, inwardly fight
ing down panic. The partners and
head bookkeeper were in close con-
sultation. Kindly Mr.. Hunt nodded
to her, bidding her sit down, but ner-
vous Mr.. Vane snapped out shortly ;
1--WE hear that you were here after
hours last night, Miss Irving. How
is that? And how did you get in ?"
Floy explained briefly why and
how she had returned, forcing her
self to speak steadily, although all
the time something seemed whisper
ing in her ear, "How should they
know that unless he has forestalled
you by throwing suspicion on you
Why did you let yourself be con-
vinced so easily? Didn't you know
that a man who would steal would
lie? Why didn't you speak out at
first? After he has once accused
you, your story will sound like a
weak attempt at self-defence.
And she could only tell herself,
desperately, II told him he might
trust me. I can't break my word
unless I am sure"
TT How long were you here What
did you do? Be exact now," Mr..
Vane demanded, while Mr.. Hunt
leaned back, watching her with an
odd, amused air that bewildered and
alarmed her, as if he were expecting
she did not know what. Certainly
not the matter -of-fact answer she
gave.
"Not over 20 minutes, think. I
stopped to exchange few words
with Mr.. Murdock, maybe five min
utes. 1 put the counter and drawers
in order as quickly as possible, and
went out as came in. The watch
man spoke to me while 1 was at work,
but that did not delay me-
"And what were you talking about,
if l may ask?' Mr.. Vane snapped.
Mr.. Hunts eyes twinkled as he wait
ed for her answer.
That voice seemed to roar in her
ears, "Tell it all? You will never have
such a chance again. Can't you see
that he has accused you to save him
self?' But she said, steadily, Oh,
the watchman teased me about COM
Ing back so as to talk with Mr.. Muir
dock. 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
how nervous these mysterious thefts
were making us ALL" she finished,
boldly.
"What do you think about these
thefts, Miss Irving?" Mr.. Hunt ask
ed, suddenly, his eyes twinkling mere
than ever.
Once more Floy desperately fought
off a great temptation. II don't
know what to think.
He chuckled, rubbing his hands
together in satisfaction.
"You understand stenography and
typewriting, 1 am told?"
Eyes, sir p' gasped Floy, staring.
She had taken great pains to learn,
hoping to find better position, but
so far none had offered.
"Well, l am without a private
clerk this morning. Sit down there
and put these letters into shape, If
you please. These to be answered.
according to the notes 1 have scrib-
bled on them. You know the proper
form, of course" Floy obeyed, feel
ing perfectly dazed. The partners
went out and were gone some time.
She was just finishing the task as
signed when Mr.. Hunt returned. He
looked over the letters. tested her
skill in shorthand, then thoroughly
confounded her by saying:
"How would you like the place OF
my private clerk and typewriter, Miss
Irving? have been obliged to part
with young Croydon. He talked too
freely of my business affairs. You
don't write quite SO fast, but see
you know how to keep a secret to
perfection"
II keep secret ?" Floy gasped.
He laughed and patted her shoul-
der in his fatherly fashion. "Let me