Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1908-11-07
5 STRONG AND STEADY 5
& BY

BY n0RATIO aLGER. JR.

uthrly three uolldrS ny thhl SHAWL VI
yours. You ought to make up the whole
sale price to me-"
II shan't do it," said Mrs. Blake. IF
you've made 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 a 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 III 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 half. and. if Walter had
been in receipt of any wages. would have
stopped the amount out of his salary. Bat,
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 he
shawl, Mr.. Nichos?" asked his employer.
about a fortnight ago"
"Will you look on the books, and see
II 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.
ayes" said Nichols; ito make sure,
looked back four weeks. The woman said
only fortnight you know"
"I know. Then it seems Conrad mas
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 | took him into
my house and treated him as som
this was not saying much. If Joshua be
beleved-"he has robbed me in the most
cold-blooded manner"
Nichols was astonished by the evidence
against our hero. He did not like to
think him guilty. but 1t certainly seemed
as IL he must be.
"What are you going to do about 1t,
Mr.. Drummondf' he asked.
IL suppose | ought to have him arrest
ed He deserves it."
~ hope you won't do that. He may be
able to explain It,"
"If / do not proceed to extremities 1t
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 Wiloughby 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 back2" said Mr.. Drum
mond. 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"
81 am sorry for that" said Walter, not
knowing what else was expected of him.
mo doubt you are sorry" sneered Mr..
Drummond 81 should think he would be,
eh, Mr. Nicholsf"
az am sorry Also said Nichols, who,
though rather weak-minded. was a good
hearted young man.
$50 am | sorry" said Mr.. Drummond
at strikes me | have most reason to be
l thot ho lncc hoo 70
on me. l have discovered how you have
repaid me for my kindness. You didn't
think l would find out, but your iniquity
has providentially come to light"
81 don't know what you are talking
about Mr.. Drummond," said Walter, inn
patiently. Il wish you would stop talk
ing in riddles"
"Did you ever witness such brazen e.
frontery, Mr.. Nichols?" demanded Mr.
Drummond, turning to his head salesman
'even when be is found out he brazens II
out"
wouldn't 1t be as well to tell hin
what Is the matter, Mr.. Drummond?'
asked Nichols, who wac In hopes oui
hero would be able to prove his innocence
ITO come to the point, did you, or dic
| you not, tOflhiKut bihCes SCH Ouc VI
those shawls, such as you see on the coun
ter, for FIVE dollars?"
81 did not" said Walter, promptly.
''It might not have been exactly fort
night Have you sold such shawl with
In four weeks?"
81 have not sold such a shawl since
have been in your employ, Mr.. Drum
mond."
"You hear what he says, Mr.. Nichols,
said Mr.. Drummond. "You see how h
adds falsehood to dishonesty. But tina
Is not uncommon. 1t is only what / ex
pected. Do you mean to say. Walter Con
rad. that you didn't sell such shaw
for five dollars-only half price-and, in
stead Of entering the sale. put the none.
into your own pocket?"
81 do deny 1t most emphatically, Mr.
Drummond," said Walter, impetuously
''snd l challenge you to prove It,"
Il shall soon be able to prove 1t" salt
Mr.. Drummond "The lady who bough
the shawl came into the store half al
hour since, and asked for another. Whei
| I tolS b,r thot n xuo,ld cost fen dollar re-