Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-06-13
NUMBER "a.

your personal ailments, Mr.. Smtthers."
he said icily. There was silence for q
few moments while his little eyes
roamed from his three foot shelf OF
wisdom to Smithers' now agitated
countenance. He pulled the ticker
ape toward him and studied the ng'
ures as tAsy slipped through his I'm.
gers. He had made rather a fool OF
himself and the L d. bonds were as
far from discovery as ever. Once more
he turned to his clerk.
did you mention to anybody that
those bonds were in the vault"
mot a soul knew Of their presence
there except yourself and me, SIR"
did you check over all the other
securities In my box"
Eyes, sir, and every other security IN
the vault" returned Smithers earnest
ly. Begging your pardon. Mr.. Ord,
you might recollect that in every other
instance Of loss Of papers. they were
afterward found to have been mislaid
either by Mr.. Carson or yourself"
"Enoughw said Ord sternly. ri have
no such recollection, young man!
Now" pointing an accusing finger In
the face of his uncomfortable CLERK,
he continued with measured accents,
"those bonds bore a date stamp Inn
pressed with purple ink. How did
purple ink come to be on your hands
and face, Mr.. Smithers" Mr. Ord shot
a glance at his bookshelf and then his
eyes came back to the face OF his
clerk.
For the first time Smithers' face
wrinkled into faint smile. II was as
sisting Miss Fem to adjust Il new rib
bon in her type machine" he said
primly. Before ! had time to remove
these stains you called me-
"Is 1t one Of the duties OF my chief
clerk to assist the stenographers with
such duties?" thundered Mr.. Ord fierce.
". "What do I hire Office boys for.
ehY'
In Mr.. Smithers' opinion Office boys
were hired to loaf around the corri-
dors and discuss baseball topics. He
merely cracked another deprecating
smile and did not answer the ques-
ton.
Huh! don't approve Of cOurting
| in the office. Mr.. Smithers." remarked
Mr.. Ord. his critical eye still on his
employees pink face. He pressed
button beside his desk. and the door
opened promptly, admitting tall. slen-
der girl whose black hair was twisted
In the latest fashion and whose bright
brown eyes seemed to take In every
detail Of the situation In one swift
penetrating glance. Her gaze swept
her employers desk and then came TO
attention at Mr.. Ord's curt accents.
"Sit down. Miss Fem"
She did 10. tapping open notebook
and poising her pencil.
"I don't wish to dictate. Have you
seen or heard anything Of the l.. ID.
bonds since they were put In the
vaults day before yesterday"
Miss Fem nodded. why. yes. Nr.
Ord. Don't you remember you sent
me to the vault for them this morning
after you talked with Mr. Hughes over
| the telephoneI You were reading when
| I came back. and you used the bonds
| as a bookmark as you closed the book
| to resume debating. Why. there they
arev' She picked up red covered
| book from under his nose and removed
several beautifully engraved ccrIia'
| Gates from between the pages OF The
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
There was a sickly smile Of enligh'en'
| ment on Mr.. Ord's face.
THANK you. Miss Fem; you may
20 nov," he said. with an effort. When
| the door had closed behind her trim
figure Mr.. Ord recovered bis self pos
session. He picked his hat out Of the
basket, placed 1t on his head. compared
| his watch with the clock. nodded ap'
proval at the hour of u and drew the
| telephone receiver across the desk.
"By the way, Smithers." he saN gen.
tally without turning his head. Il
| suppose If you're going to get married
| you'll need little more money. eh"
II really couldn't say that I'd thought
about It, Mr.. Ord" said the clerk
| meekly.
well, Just tell the cashier TO add
another hundred to your salary. I'll o.
K. It. Don't mention It! Hey. Cen.
tral! Give me 1860 Livingston. Hello!
Hughes & Carawayf All. Hughes;
about that l. d. Now
Smithers cIOsed the door softly be-
hind him and paused in the tiny outer
Office where Bessie Fem sat before
her machine staring dreamily at a.
blank sheet Of paper on the roller. The
young man leaned over until his breath
famed her cheek. Bessie" he whis-
pered, hes raised me another hum
dred. I'm sure can take care OF
your mother as well as you. VIII you
marry me soon"
Bessies nimble fingers raped out
three letters and an exclamation point.
and then on the fair blank sheet there
appeared a word written in purple let.
ters:
/ 0vouW