Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-07-31

night Have you sold such shawl with
n four weeks!"
Il have not sold such shawl since |
have been in your employ, Mr.. Drum
mond."
You hear what he says. Mr.. Nichols"
said Mr.. Drummond You see how he
adds falsehood to dishonesty. But that
is not uncommon. 1t is only what | ex-
pected. Do you mean to say, Walter Con-
rad. that you didn't sell such shawl
for five dollars-only half price-and, in
stead of entering the sale, put the money
into your own pocket"
IL do deny it most emphatically, Mr..
Drummond" said Walter, impetuously,
'and | challenge you to prove it."
II shall soon be able to prove it," said
Mr.. Drummond. "The lady who bought
hour since, and asked for another. When
| told her that it would cost ten dollars,
she said she only paid five for the one
she had on. She then told us that she
bought it of you a fortnight since"
There is some mistake about this, Mr..
Drummond She has made a mistake.
She must have bought it somewhere else"
"She would not be likely to make such
a mistake as this. Besides, the shawl is
like others l have. How do you account
for that" queried Mr.. Drummond, tri-
umphantly.
Il don't pretend to account for it, and
don't feel called upon to do so. All |
have got to say is that | did not sell the
shawl, nor pocket the money"
"Mr. Drummond, the ladies have re-
turned" said Nichols.
aha! ~ said his employer, with exul-
| tation. Now we will be able to prove
your guilt, you young rascal! Here is
the lady who bought the shawl of you"
Mrs. Blake and her friend Mrs. Spicer,
here entered the store Mr.. Drummond
went forward to meet them. His face
flushed, but he tried to look composed.
II am glad to see you back, ladies'" he
said. You told me that you bought your
shawl of boy?" turning to Mrs. Blake.
'Yes, sir
Come forward Conrad" said Mr..
| Drummond, a malignant smile Overspread-
ing his face. Perhaps you will deny
now, to this lady's face fthat you sold
her the shawl she has on"
II certainly do" said Walter. II nev-
er, to my knowledge saw the lady before,
and | know that | did not sell her the
shawl"
What do you think of that, Mr.. Mich
ols?" said Mr.. Drummond. Did you ever
witness such unblushing falsehoodY
But here a shell was thrown into Mr..
Drummond's camp by Mrs. Blake her
self.
''The boy is perfectly right" she said.
II did not buy the shawl of him"
Didn't you say you bought the shawl
of the boy?" asked Mr.. Drummond, with
a sickly hue of disappointment over
spreading his face.
Yes but it was not. that boy. Come
to think of it, believe it was your son."
said Mrs. Blake. Isn't he a little older
than this boy?"
"My son-Joshua :" exclaimed Mr..
Drummond.
"Yes, | think it must be he. He's got
rather an old-looking face, with freckles
and reddish hair isn't so good-looking as
this boy"
Joshua !" repeated Mr.. Drummond, be-
wildered. "He doesn't tend in the store"
ut was about dinner time" said Mrs.
Blake. "He was the only one here"
do you know anything about this,
Mr.. Nichols?" asked Mr.. Drummond,
turning to his head clerk.
Light dawned upon Nichols. He re-
membered now Joshua's offer to take his
place, and he felt sure in his own mind
who was the guilty party.
Yes, Mr.. Drummond," he answered ;
''about a fortnight ago, as Walter was
rather late in getting back. Joshua of
fered to stay in the store for while He
must have sold the shawl but he must
have guessed at the price
"A mistake has been made" said Mr..
Drummond, hurriedly. to the ladies, "a
mistake that you have profted by.
shall not be able to sell you another shawl
for less than ten dollars"
The ladies went out, and Mr.. Drum
mond and his two clerks were left alone.
"Mr. Drummond," said Walter, quiet
ly, "after what has happened, you will
not be surprised if | decline to remain
in your employ. | shall take the after
noon train to Willoughby."
lie walked out of the store, and cross
ed the street to Mr.. Drummond's house.
(To be continued.)
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