Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1911-10-13

I
he how held.
Would he exchange his by no means
large Income for the million? IL he
fought Murfree and Murfree won in
the end. then Murfree could break"
the assistant district attorney.
1t was tempting proposition, and
Chalmers hesitated. His head dropped
lower until his face was quite hidden
In his hands. There was no sound
save the ticking of the clock and
distant roar of traffic from the street
far below.
He was lonely man. He lived Mt
his club. and 1t was his lot to spend
long evenings there. and his wistful
eyes would often follow the careless
and reluctant home going Of easy ma
tured men.
The inner door opened softly and his
secretary stood on the threshold. She
was young and straight and slim. with
soft. steady dark eyes and mist Of
dusky hair which emphasized the pal
lor of her cheeks and the scarlet of
her lips.
She looked at the bent head Of her
employer with strange intentness;
then with quick movement she lean
ed forward and removed the packet
OF documents In the case of the state
versus James Murfree ct al.
Instantly she regained her own ONCE
she sat down before desk and
folded and addressed letters with care
full precision. Her cheeks were flushed
now. and pulse beat quickly in her
pretty throat above the frill Of white
ruching.
After awhile the outer door opened
again and Murfree's harsh voice
broke the silence. The girl listened
breathlessly.
There was the sound of a scraping
chair. long interval Of silence and the
door opened and closed behind the as.
sistant district attorney. His face
wore look Of acute anxiety.
Miss Wainwright" he asked shave
you seen the papers In the Murfree
case? 1t Is very singular. They were
on my desk few moments ago. and
now they have completely disappear
ed" He eyed her keenly. He had
long depended on her to straighten
out the tangles in the daily routine Of
his office. and now he came instinc-
lively to her for help.
The girl arose to her feet and faced
him. She leaned against the desk as
II for support, and her hands were
clasped tightly together, Her lips
parted and her breath died away In a
frightened little gasp.
"Have you seen the papers?" he
repeated.
"Yes." she said. "I have hidden
them"
Hidden themr' he cried with dis
pleasure. "Please return them to me
at once"
az will not" said the girl deliber-
ately.
"What?" he flashed round at her.
She chung desperately to the desk.
and when she spoke there was an OBJ
stinate note in her low voice: II can
not return them to you, Mr.. Chalmers.
hope you will forgive me. / could not
help TIT all happened so quickly. I
overheard what he said in there an
hour ago. She nodded toward his
private office.
Chalmers regarded her curiously.
"Well?" he said defiantly. Granted
that you did overhear what was not
intended for your ears, l cannot see
that you were justified in He hest
tated.
II was afraid" she stammered
breathlessly-"I was afraid you would
give the papers to him."
The assistant district attorney laugh
ed harshly. The Intrusion of a per-
sonal note in the dull routine of his
office was not distasteful, though 1t
was unexpected, and there was some
thing In the mutinous bearing Of the
girl that compelled his admiration.
For three years she had worked
faithfully at his elbow. Careful. pains
taking and cheerful. she represented
the highest type Of the refined bust
ness woman. and Chalmers realized In
that moment that to her assistance
and cooperation might be ascribed
degree Of the success he had attained.
He WINGED now as he recognized the
quality OF the courage that had over.
come her extreme sensitiveness and
reserve and emboldened her to defy
him.
II am afraid you have a poor opin-
ion Of my honor" he said. rather awk-
wardly.
But you hesitated. SIR" she said
quickly. and then as II conscious OF
her presumption tears filled her eyes.
There was long silence.
II thank you" he said thickly. 81
believe / would have done 1t IL you
had not prevented me-"
Alma Wainwright was pinning on
her hat. Her face was like snow. and
her scarlet lips were trembling. When
she spoke It was with averted eyes.
Here are the papers. Mr. Chalmers.
Please forgive me for my impertinence
Misrepresentation. cannot come
back. am very sorry: you must find
another secretary"
She moved toward the door, but
the large frame Of the assistant dis
trict attorney blocked her path.
"Wait a minute. please" he said I'm
a queer voice. 81 never-no one has
ever shown any interest in my sue
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