The Springfield herald., 1916-01-07
seemed to tnem that they were on the

John Peters, President Fegsis' sec
retary, and Nancy Graham, his stenog-
rapher. had practically the run Of the
once during the president's absence.
Tho tnquisition had narrowed itself
down to them. Nobody else could DOS
sibiy have been guilty. Peters had en-
tsred the presidents employ In his
present capacity dve years before.
Miss Graham seven. She had worked
up to her present position at thirty dol
lars . week. and there existed some
feeling against her. not only on the
part OF the girls who were now her
subordinates, but among Bramwell
and Lewis, who resented the fact that
she and Peters occupied . practically
Independent position during the presi.
dent'e absence.
In spite of the heads precautions
the story of the theft leaked out. In
sensibly the suspicion of the ONCE
force was directed toward the occu-
pants Of the mahogany-furnished room
where Peters and Nancy worked to-
gether. And insensibly Nancy felt
that chilling suspicion enter her own
heart.
There was, in reality. little room for
private talk between them, even II
they had been 80 minded. The presi-
dents once. fitted with transparent
windows that looked out directly upon
tho general once. allowed both occu-
pants to be seen at all times. Often
Nancy would look up from her work to
see dozen pairs of eyes watching her.
They wero to have been married
that spring. The marriage had been
postponed whom the crisis compelled
the cutting down Of salaries. John
was making only forty-five . week
now. . sum ample for their needs, only
Nancy, with memories of a life of pow
erty behind her. did not intend to
start life, giving up her position At
ter her marriage. without substantial
bank account And she would not
work when sne was married. She and
John were old-fashioned people. and
neither believed In that.
Nancy" John had pleaded. give
up your work and marry me. shall
be getting nfty again next year, and
after that q substantial raise at some
time. Don't let us spend our youth
together here when We might be 20
happy"
The girl had steadfastly refused.
John had taken 1t hard at first. Some
times she almost relented, but her
principle kept her to her decision. He
would be glad when the time came.
Nancy" he had once said to her,
'if could get some money. several
thousand dollars, would you marry me
At once7"
How would you get iti" she par,
ried.
II have an Investment" John had
laughed.
And his words came back to her a.
she sat within the once. near John.
Once she raised her eyes and looked
at him steadfastly. His own eyes had
dropped them.
Later that day he told her some
thing that amazed her. His invest
ment had been Of . little LEGACY
few hundred dollars only. but Q tip
from broker had enabled him to real
ixe i've thousand on it. He had the
money safe In the bank. Would she
marry him now?
And the girl's eager Joy was damp
that came to her. She thrust It aside
but 1t returned. John . theft 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
. dark cloud.
O'Day. the mail sorter. had been dis
charged the week before. Tho new
man, Fallon. = surly, vindictive-look-
ing fellow, had his post opposite the
window facing Nancy's desk. When
ever she looked up she would see FAl-
Ions eyes f1ed on hers. He seemed
to be watching her. And 1t was not
long before she began to see Fallon
lurking behind her when she went out
to lunch, when she went home. Tho
man was . spy. She vas under sus-
picion. then. Those wretched days In
the once, 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
Nancys brain an idea was born. Quiet
ly and unostentatiously she went from
her lunch one day into the once build
ing of the Neatfoot company, emerg-
ing through the other door.
Glancing back as she passed out,
she saw Fallon waiting for her. There
was look of satisfaction on his dark
face. He followed her to the once
almost openly.
Twice more Nancy performed this
feat. Each time she saw Fallon be-
hind her. And somehow, In the mys-
terious way Of ofices, that story got
known too. Nancy read 1t in the faces
Of all the girls. in Johns. He knew!
And by now their intimacy had
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 Nancy
had gone home.
Mr.. Bramwell wishes to see you,
Miss Graham!"
With beating heart Nancy followed
the boy into the general magnate's
room Lewis was there with Bran