The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1911-12-28

1t was a tempting proposition, and
Chalmers hesitated. His head dropped
lower until his face was quite hidden
| in his hands. There was no sound
rave the ticking of the clock and
distant roar Of traffic from the street
far below.
He was a lonely man. He lived at
his club, and 1t was his lot to spend
long evenings there, and his wistful
eyes would often follow the careless
AMI 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 q mist OF
dusky hair which emphasized the pal
Tor Of her cheeks ana the scarlet OF
her lips. -
she looked at the bent head Of her
| employer with strange intentness:
then with a 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 a 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 frilI 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 scraplng
chair, a long interval Of silence and the
door opened and closed behind the As
sistant district attorney. His face
wore look Of acute anxiety.
"AIiss wainwright" he asked, shave
you seen the papers In the Murfree
case7 It is. very singular. They were
ON my desk few moments ago. ana
how 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 40
IL for support, and her hands were
clasped tightly together. Her lips
parted and her breath died away In =
frightened little gasp. f '4sA
s'Have you seen the papersY no
repeated. .t.,,e
eF'Yes." she said II have hidden
tfSnm:"ssss 5@@
s'Hidden thefhw be cried with diss
Measure. PLEASE. return them to me
az once" sns4s ~. )
ssI will not" said the girl deliber-
atelys Y.' ssw fs7F s y
What? ~ he flashed round a her
Sue. chung desperately to the desk.
AID when she spoke there was An OBJ
s35nate hote s. her low voice: II can
nQt return them to you. M. Chalmers.
Ihepe you win forgive me. could not
hslp TIT all happened 90 quickly. I
Overheard what he said In there an
hour ago''--; She nodded toward his
piayate ONCE. ...t
Nhalmers regarded her curiously.
'.NeliY' he said de6antiy. Granted
tn4t you did oyerhear what was not
INTENDED for. your ears, I cannot See
that you were justified in"-- he. hest.
tated.
X was afraid" she stammered
breathlessly ~ was afraid you would
give the papers to himg' I
The assistant district attorney laugh.
eds harshly. The intrusion Of q per-
sonal note in the dull routine Of his
once was not distastefL, though II
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
takinguand cheerful. she represented
the highest typo Of the refined bnsi-
ness woman. and Chalmers realized In
that moment that to her assistance
and cooperation might be ascribSd Z
degree ofsthe 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 q poor cDin-
ion Of my honor" he said. rather awk-
wardly. ~
.sBut you hesitased. sir,s she said
quickly, and, then a. II conscious Of
her presumption tears filed her eyes.
There was a long silence.
81 thank you." shs said thickly. Il
believe would have done II II you
had not prevented me-"
Alma Wainwright was pinnine on
her hat. Her face was IKE snow. and
her scarlet lips were trembling. When
she, spoke 1t was with averted eyes.
Here are the papers. Mr.. Chalmers.
Please forgive mefor my impert1nence
and--presumption. / cannot come
back. / am very borry; you must and
another secretary"
She moved toward the door, but
the large frame OF the assistant die
tt1ct attorney blocked her path.
"Wait a minute, please" he said In
a queer voice. II never-no one has
ever shown any interest IN my sue
cesses or failures before. thank you.
1t is very beautiful to me. I seem to
have been walking In 'darkness-be-
hind a closed door BOmething has
happened. May l COME ana explain
1t after this affair IL overr'
The silver tongued orstor stammered
awkwardly before her. but to her ears
his words were sweetest music.
uhon 49,, ~ cosN ,v~>