The Washington herald., 1908-03-29

suspicion. II showed him plainly that
Statham had at least TO further interest
in the girl, and that her discharge would
be gratifying.
You hear the reply" he said to her.
That is enough" And he scribbled
something upon a piece of paper Take
IT 10 the cashier, and he will pay your
wages up TO date"
Then I am discharged?" asked the
girl crimsonlng-'sent out from your es-
tablishment without a character?'
BY reason of your own action" was
the rough reply. You know the rules.
Please leave. am far too busy TO ar
gue.'
But Mr.. Stathara wrote asking me 10
call and see him. I have his letter here.
II have no desire or inclination 10 enter
into Mr.. Statham's affairs, Cunnington
replied You are discharged for being
absent at night without leave. VIII you
go. Miss Rolfe?' he asked, angrily.
''Mr Cunnington." she said, quietly,
"you misjudge me entirely. Mr.. Statham
asked me TO call upon him in secret be-
cause he desired me TO give him some pri-
vate information. He promised at the
same time TO send you word, so that my
absence should not be mentioned. You
are a man of honor. with. daughters of
your own. she went on appealingly. Be
cause 1 refused TO betray a friend Of
mine, woman, he has refused 10 stretch
forth a hand to save me from the dis
grace of this discharge" and tears welled
in her fine eyes as she spoke.
1T is a matter that does not concern
me in the least, Miss Rolfe. Mr.. Statham
put you here, and If he wishes for your
discharge / have nothing to say In the
after. Good morning"
And he turned from her and busied him
self with the heap Of papers on his desk.
She did not move. She stood as one
turned to stone.
Therefore he touched the electric but
ton beneath the arm of his chair, and a
clerk appeared.
Send in Mortimer.'' he said coldly. dis
regarding the girls presence Then Mari
on. seeing that all appeal was in vain,
turned upon her heel and went out
broken and bitter-a changed woman.
Mr.. Cunnington turned and watched her
disappearing. Suddenly. as though half
uncertain whether his action might not be
criticised by Statham. he exclaimed:
call that young lady back"'
Marion returned, her face full of anger
and dignity.
DO / really understand you that Mr..
Statham invited you to his house?" he
asked her. Il mean that you received
letters from him?'
Yes
The dark-bearded man. alert and busi-
ness-like. eyed her critically. aid asked:
You have those letters. I presume"
Certainly, / have them here" was her
reply, as she fumbled IN the pocket OF her
black skirt I refused to call upon him.
but he pressed me so much that I felt il
imperative. He has been so very good 10
me that feared TO displease him
And she placed several letters upon Mr..
Cunnington's desk
Il see they are marked private. " he
said, with a good deal Of curiosity. Have
your permission to glance at them?'
Certainly" was the cool reply. You
refuse 90 hear me, therefore l am COM
PEELED TO give you proof"
The man opened them one after the
other scanned them. and placed them
aside. Statham's refusal to answer the
query upon the telephone was for him all
sufficient
You had better leave these letters with
me. Miss Rolfe,'' he said decisively for
he saw that at all hazards he must OBJ
tain that correspondence and hand il bac,,
to the writer.
But"
There are no butts" he exclaimed
| quickly interrupting her. Had Mr. Stat
/ ham desired you to remain in our service
he would have replied TO that effect
Come. you are wasting my time. Good
morning"
And a moment later. almost before she
was aware OF it. Marion found herself
outside the room, with the door closed be-
| hind her.
She was no longer in the service of Gun
nington's. She had been discharged In
1 disgrace.
What would Charlie say? What expla-
nation could she offer to Max?