Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1908-11-06
SSTR0NG AND STEADY )
BY aLsrR JR
Es1ssssssss@saa@s&s&~&
BY noRATIo aLsrR, JR.

| that for two months / know the price
well enough, and 1 wouldn't cell it for
est than ten dollars
II didn't buy it of him. I bought it CT
boy" said Mrs. Blake.
1T must have been that stupid Con-
rad" exclaimed Mr.. Drummond, angrily.
wait till he comes in, and I'll haul him
over the Goals"
"Then you won't let my friend have
another like it for five dollars?'
NO. said Mr.. Drummond, provoked.
Il don't do business that way. I've lost
nearly three dollars by that shawl of
| yours. You ought to make up the whole
sale price to me-"
Il shan't do it," said Mrs Blake. IF
you've made a mistake, it's your lookout.
| wasn't willing to pay more than five
dollars"
The two ladies were about to leave the
store when Mr. Drummond said: THE
boy will be back directly. | wish you,
would wait few minutes, so that if he
denies it you can prove it upon him.
I've got a call to make" said Mrs.
Blake. "but I'll come in again in about
an hour
They left the store, and Mr.. Drummond
began to berate the absent Walter. He
was provoked to find that he had lost two
dollars and a half. and. if Walter mad
been in receipt of any wages, would have
stopped the amount out of his salary. But
unfortunately for this plan of reprisal,
our hero received his board only, and
that could not very well be levied upon.
However, he might have some money in
his possession, and Mr.. Drummond decid-
ell to require him to make up the loss.
when did she say she bought The
shawl, Mr.. Nichols?" asked his employer.
About a fortnight ago"
'Will you look on the books, and see
if you find the sale recorded? | am sur
prised that it escaped my attention"
Nichols looked over the book of sales,
and announced that no such entry could
be found. Mr.. Drummond was surprised.
Though not inclined to judge others any
too charitably, he had never suspected
Walter of dishonesty.
Are you sure you looked back far
enough?" he asked.
YES" said Nichols; ito make sure, l
looked back four weeks. The woman said
only fortnight, you know"
II know. Then it seems Conrad has
concealed the sale and kept the money"
Perhaps" suggested Nichols, who
rather liked Walter, 'he forgot to put It
down."
'If he did. he forgot to put the money
in the drawer, for the cash and the sales
have always balanced. He's an migrate
full young rascal" continued Mr.. Drum
mond, harshly. After l took him into
my house and treated him as a som
this was not saying much. if Joshua be
cold-blooded manner"
Nichols was astoDished by the evidence
against our hero. He did not like to
think him guilty, but it certainly seemed
as If he must be.
"What are you going to do about it,
Mr.. Drummondl" he asked.
II suppose l ought to have him arrest
ed He deserves It."
81 hope you won't do that. He may be
able to explain it."
'If / do not proceed to extremities It
will be on account of his relationship,
which / blush to acknowledge"
The time had been, and that not long
since, when Mr.. Drummond felt proud of
his relationship to the rich Squire Con-
rad, of Willoughby; but that was before
his loss of property. Circumstances al
ter cases. Quite unconscious of the storm
that was gathering, Walter at this mo-
ment entered the store.
$50 you've got back?" said Mr.. Drum
mcnd, harshly. You haven't been in
any particular hurry. However, that was
not what | wished to speak to you about. |
We have made a discovery since You went |
out. and not very agreeable one"
II am sorry for that" said Walter, uot
knowing what else was expected of him.
mo doubt you are sorry" sneered Mr.. |
Drummond 81 should think he would be,
eh, Mr.. Nichols?"
81 am sorry also" said Nichols, who,
though rather weak-minded, was a good
hearted young man.
$50 am sorry" said Mr., Drummond.
"Ir strikes me l have most reason to be-
sorry, considering that the loss has fallen
on me. l have discovered how you have
repaid me for my kindness. You didn't |
think 1 would find out, but your iniquity |
has providentially come to light"
81 don't know what you are talking
about, Mr.. Drummond," said Walter, i'm
patiently. 81 wish you would stop talk
ing in riddles"
did you ever witness such brazen e.
Mr.. Nichols?" demanded Mr..
turning to his head salesman;
even when he is found out he brazens it
out"
Wouldn't it be as well to tell him
m hof ic fbe rnattar Mr. Dr,,r..,.o...I ~,