The Washington times., 1909-03-30

heart was filed with pity for her
| pity and unimpaired loyalty. With ut
| ter disregard Of the facts in the case
he was absolutely confident Of her in
| nocence.
Her a thief" he muttered. 1T ain {
/ true. 1t can't be true. The boss Is
| talking through his hat. A peach Ike
her wouldn't steal no diamonds. she
as innocent as 1 am"
And the copsll be here 10 pinch her
| in few minutes he siged. "Oh. it's
shame-a rotten shame-thats what
/ it is. Imagine a nice, pretty girl ike
| her locked up in coop along with real
! burglars and bank robbers. The boss
ought TO be ashamed of himself
If he has her pinched I'll resign this
/ job. I wouldn't work for man who
could do a mean trick like that"
Suddenly an idea came 10 him, and
he crept noiselessly to the closed door
Of the private office. He would find
out what was going on inside.
He peeped through the keyhole-
fortunately for him there was no key
in the IOck-and ne saw that the girl
was seated. while Frank harrington was
pacing ner yously up and down the room.
Then Danny put his ear TO the keyhole
and listened intently.
Miss Hamilton the senior partner
was saying, I cannot tell you how
sorry I am that this has happened.
assure you that YOU have my deepest
and most sincere sympathy"
Il don't ask for your sympathy sir
retOrted the girl, Indignantly Il ask
for justice-thats all. 1 am innocent. II
ycu have me arrested you will be COM
! -,
deed"
Il don't want to have you arrested
if can help it," said Frank Darlington
( 1t would break my heart TO see you go
to prison, Miss Hamilton. I hope that
you Will not compel me to take this
course"
/ How can I help it?' answered the
girl with sigh. If you will persist IN
believing that I stole those diamonds
and If you are determined 10 send me
it, it. p'''O" ! 10" see no" "a" prevent
There is one way in which you
can prevent it, replied the senior
partner. stepping closer to her. only
one wayl The police will be here
any minute now. They will take you
away and put you in cell. You win
be dragged TO court and the story Of
your disgrace viii be published in the
newspapers with glaring headlines
Your mother and father will suffer
greatly. Perhaps they will die Of
shame and grief
"The jury is bound to find you
guilty on the evidence, Miss HamiI-
ton. The judge will send you TO
prison for several years. Just think,
my poor girl, Of having to spend tie
best years Of your life in wretched
prison.
and all these things will happen
, to you. as sure as you are sitting in
that chair, unless you Will accept the
proposition which am going to make
20 you"
what is your proposition fnquir-
ed the girl. shivering at the terrible
word picture her employer had Just
/ painted.
THAT YOU consent to marry me. -
replied Frank Darlington slowly.
/ Promise to be my wife and I viii
hdrop this charge against Won"
! < Marry your gasped the girl. ooh.
/ Nj. Darlington What are Won sa1,l
IingE How could that be? You do not
love me and I do not love you"
You are mistaken there NV dear
girl replied the senior partner with
as much emotion as it was within his
cold nature 10 display. II have loved
you from the very first day you came
20 this office. There is not another
woman in the world for whom I have
such admiration and regard
And yet you accuse me Of being a
/ thief; surely that is an extraordinary
way Of evincinS your regard for met
| exclaimed the girl, bitterly.
But 1 can't help accusing you Of
! that. inasmuch as I found those dia-
mOnds in your handbag retorted Bar
rington. You must admit. Miss Ham
nton, that it is not my fault that the
diamonds were there"
81 don't know whose fault II Is"
replied the girl, looking her employer
straight in the eye Il only know that
1 did not put them there. Whether or
not YOU know who did is more than l
can say. I begin to suspect that l am
the victim OF a contemplate plot"
You are talking foolishIy, Miss
Hamilton" went on her employer
/ somewhat impatiently. And you have
not given me an answer to my propo-
{ sition- There is no time to argue about
! the matter
The police will be here In a minute.
They will take you away Probably
: lneN VIII put ldndcufLS on YOU and
/ buIdle you into a patrol wagon like a
common felOn.
Consent to marry me and / will pre-
vent this. and all viii be well with you.
refuse and / will let them take YOU.
and will press this charge against you
and insist upon your being punished TO
the fun extent Of the law 1t is I'D to
you 10 decide quickly, my dear girl"
Before Laura Hamilton could reply
they were startled by a loud sneeze out
side the door Danny. the errand boy,
had done his best TO suppress the
sDeeze. but in vain.
The senior partner rushed hastily to
the door, and. unboJing il. flung Il wide
open.
.Ha, It's you. is it, he exclaimed
catching sight Of the yOungster. 4
had clean forgotten that YOU were out
here Have you been listening. you
young rascal2'
Who? Me? No. sir" replied the
youngster with an injured air Il amt
heard a single word, Mr.. Darlington
honest / amt"
Wei, I'm glad to know that I
don't like eavesdToppers. Go uptown
90 Jordan * Co, Sixtieth ana Broad
way, Danny, and ask chem il the or
SHAKE INTO YOUR SHOES
Aliens Foot Ease. a powder Relieves