Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1911-05-05
WAS HE A.
!HERO2

Had any Of his chums been there to
see they would have jeered at the
idea.
Floyd Grant, rs years old, and of the
city, and one of the latest guests at
the Mountain Top house, has raised
his hat TO the chambermaid on Ais
floor as he encountered her at the door
! Of his room.
II came about through sort Of in
stinct or intuition. He somehow. felt
that he was in the presence of a lady,
and up went his hat. Two minutes
later the elevator had landed him on
the office floor and he was puzzling
over It a bit The mystery was solved
an hour later when he overheard one,
lady telling another that ten young
women who we're working their way
through college had taken places In
the hotel as chambermaids for the sea-
son.
Ethel Davis, daughter OF q widow
who was none too well OF, was one Of
the ten. When taking the situation
the clerk Of the hotel had said to
/ her:
mo airs, now. You are coming a
a servant, and you will be expected to
dress and do the work Of one. You
can't be college girl here"
At nine o'clock the next morning the
same young man came up from break.
fast just as she was finishing his room,
and looked in and saw her and raised
his hat and backed out
Next day, in front of the elevator,
the hat was lifted for the third time,
and two young lady guests gisgled and
the elevator boy dared to wink at Miss
Ethel. Her cheeks burned and her
eyes flashed, and she almost decided
to 60 to the management and enter
complaint If there was fourth time
she would do so.
There was fourth time, but she
didn't do what she thought she would.
The manager and hotel detective were
In company with Mr. Grant when he
entered his room where she was still
busting, and although he, alone, Of the
trio lifted his hat, she was too con-
fused to more than notice Il.
Miss Davis began the manager,
with the voice and attitude of a mag.
istrate, "a sum of money has mysteri-
ously disappeared from this room this
morning. Mr.. Grant rose earlier than
usual to take walk before breakfast, c
and left purse with 5000 in it under
his pillow. When he returned 1t was
missing. You were on this floor and
must have seen him go. You also have
duplicate keys to the rooms"
"And | wish to say, Miss Davis" saie
Mr. Grant, that not the slightest sus-
picion attaches to you. | merely re-
ported the loss at the Office"
"But-but what is it?" asked the
surprised girl. Il didn't see the gen.
tleman go out. I was not in the room
until quarter of an hour ago. Sure
ly-"
Miss Davis, you have duplicate
keys" insisted the manager.
The girl grew so weak that she sat
down, She was looking hrst at one
and then at the other, and her trem.
bling lips were trying to frame a CUES.
ton or protest when Mr.. Grant sud.
denly started and said:
What an absent-minded idiot I am!
Why, ! tossed that purse into my
trunk before leaving the room, and
there 1t is, fast locked, as we all can
see Miss Davis, We came simply to
question you as regards others. The
house Is full Of guests, and there are
two or three on this very floor that we
might be suspicious of. ! am sure I
beg your pardon for the trouble we
nave gwen you"
But was It thought | took the
purse" demanded the girl as her
voice came to her oil at once
Surely not"
Miss Davis gave notice and the
next day she left the hotel. She felt
that she had been suspected, and she
could not stay. Mr.. Grant touched bis
hat to the new chambermaid who was
also college student, but thought of
the other. Some. one had got his
money. He had deliberately lied to
shield Miss Davis. The purse could
not have been produced had the man.
ager asked that the trunk be unlocked.
The question was not as to the girls =.