The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-12

Nancy" he had once said to her,
'if could get some money. several
thousand dollars, would you marry me
at once?"
How would you get it?" she par
ried
Il have an investment" John had
laughed.
And his words came back to her as
she sat within the office, near John.
Once she raised her eyes and looked
at him steadfastly. His own eyes had
been fixed scrutinizingly on hers. He
dropped them.
Later that day he told her some !
thing that amazed her. His invest
ment had been Of a little legacy-a
few hundred dollars only, but tip
from a broker had enabled him to real
ize five thousand ON it. He had the
money safe in the bank. Would she
marry him now?
And the girls eager joy was damp
ened by the sudden fearful suspicion
that came to her. She thrust it aside
but it returned. John a thief? John,
whom she adored with all her mind
constantly? She waited with crush
, ing burden at her heart.
| And day by day they felt the sus-
picion rise and hang over them like
a dark cloud.
O'Day, the mail sorter. had been dis
charged the week before. The new
man, Fallon, a surly, vindictive-look-
ing fellow, had his post opposite the
window facing Nancy's desk. When
ever she looked up she would see F'al-
Ions eyes fixed on hers. He seemed
to be watching her. And it was not
long before she began to see Fallon
lurking behind her when she went out
to lunch, when she went home. The
man was a spy. She was under sus-
picion, then Those wretched days in
the office. when John, absorbed, hardly
spoke to her, were breaking down the
girls nerves.
John was guilty! The impression
had grown into certainty. The story
of the legacy was preposterous. In
Nancy's brain an idea was born. Quiet
ly and unostentatiously she went from
her lunch one day into the office build
ing of the Neatfoot company, emerg-
ing through the other door.
CHANGING back as she passed out,
, she saw Fallon waiting for her There
was a look of satisfaction on his dark
face. He followed her to the office
almost openly.
Twice more Nancy performed this
! feat. Each time she saw Fallon be-
4 hind her. And somehow, in the mys-
: FERROUS way of Offices, that story got
: known too. Nancy read it in the faces
of all the girls, in Johns. He knew
And by now their intimacy hao
dwindled to a shadow of friendship
John no longer called for her, alleg
ing the pressure of work in the office
He stayed there nightly, after Name,
had gone home.
MIR. Bramwell wishes to see you
u Miss Graham!"
With beating heart Nancy followed
N the boy into the general magnate
=, room. Lewis was there with Bran
IA we'll.
A. sit down, Miss Graham" salt
. Bramwell. You know Mr.. Feggis will
"a. be back today and before he comes
his voice was soft as honey thin
you had better confess that you stol
a that plan of the engine"
~ They waited, watching her face Xix
hawks.
eh We've got the goods on you shou
70 ed Lewis Electrically. You'd bette
IL confess. You have been tracked t
NC the Neatfoot Offices"
Yes, confess" said Nancy calml.
&C. II was bribed to steal that engin
Is plan"
he Before the triumph on their face
&c. had risen to the full the door opene
ei and John came hurrying in.
oe- You can cut that out!" he shou
'n- ed. Il stole the engine plans, and
iis warn you that all the office is talkin
re, about Miss Graham being implicate
eu Well, it's lie. I'm responsible.
vi The look of triumph turned
he amazement. Then Lewis leaped fo
~ ward.
ier You both stole them!" he shoute
81. Il have suspected you from the
ia' ginning. This will be Jail sc
lily tanoan
esi. "no.r mo what will ne n iail &c
tence? What is this trouble about
JUS demanded pleasant-voiced old gent
IN man. entering the office, umbrella
iee hand.
Gu Mr. Feggis." exclaimed Bramwe
ON Sir, the engine plans have be
10 stolen. sold to the Neatfoot compai
ieil and these persons are the guilty on
"h They took the plans from the safe
What are you talking about" I
LOT manded Feggis. Didn't the mess'
II ger deliver that note | sent you FRI
esl- on board the Aquitaine2 Why,
eht dear fellow, took the plans. Had
pom emergency order from the French g
ecu ernment, and couldn't wait to expla
ten Just got home with the contract.
( TO But Miss Graham has confessed
aeE cried the bewildered Bramwell.
led And Mr.. Peters also, said Lewis
cen MIR. Feggis turned and looked il
li& the faces of the lovers.
o9n Il think" he said with quiet emp
eek sis, that il You will intrust the mat
'hiy TO me | can obtain very quick
pov, cantation from them
70 Hut instead OF obtaining the recar
al ton he quietly left the room W
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