Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1920-02-27

I must notify the superintendent and
also the police that the apartment had
been robbed. / decided, too, that I
should wire my great-uncle Rufus of
the robbery, and then II dawned ON
me for the first time that I did not
know the old couples address. They
merely had said that they were going
to Maine. Never mind. there was
nothing that they could do In their
absence. Probably I could get their
address from the superintendent, or
from Mr.. Gaston's bankers The first
thing TO do was to notify the super
intendent.
But wait! With my hand on the
telephone, l stopped short. II dawn
ed on me that in all likelihood would
be the one most under suspicion.
If detectives were called in, could
see that their first move would be to
lay the theft to my door. They would
investigate everything about me. and
] remembered with distress that |.
Spalding Nelson. just now was out Of
jOb-and far worse, stood discredit-
ed at the only place of employment
had had in New York.
My discharge had come that very
morning like thunderbolt out of a
clear sky. The reason for my per-
emptOry dismissal | had not been able
to fathOm. In some mysterious fash
ion my employers wrath had been
reused toward me. Why, could not
imagine. Certainly my life, especially
since my two comrades had gone
away, had been circumspect enough.
Even though was living in seven
| thOusand-dollar apartment / was I'M
employed, all but penniess just re-
Gently dismissed for some unexplained
reason, and now more than likely to
be accused or at least suspected of
theft.
Yet only this very morning | had
been taking an optimistic view Of life.
Delighted at having cut my living ex-
penses in two, had decided to take
twenty dollars of the thirty-five /
drew that day and add 1t to the one
hundred and eighty dollars ] had in
the savings bank. would mail a reg
istered letter TO my mother and re-
duce my Indebtedness to her On my
way to business | stopped at the bank
and drew out every penny had there.
1t was my intention to go to the post
office at lunch time TO register the
letter. Just before twelve Mr.. Wood,
the head of the firm, had sent for me.
"Mr. Nelson" he had said wrath
fully, the minute I entered his office,
"here Is your weeks salary. You will
leave our employ at once"
Stunned both by his manner and his
words. | gasped out something about
not understanding what he meant /
knew of no reason that would
rant my discharge.
81 can't put 1t in any palmer Eng
lish, can II" he roared at me. Get
out 7"
] held my ground.
surely | am entitled to some ex-
PLANTATION" | protested. IF there's
been anything wrong with my work"
"Your works all right" he bel
lowed. ITS this" he cried, waving
at me letter that had been lying
on his desk. "This letter is enough.
: 1t exposes you for what you are"
Dumfounded at his amazing state
ment, I demanded to see the accusing
document. Angrily he refused.
"YOu know as well as what's in
It."
In vain I protested Every word
I uttered only seemed to add 70 his
wrath. In the end he almost hustled
me out of his office Blindly | found
my way to the street, still clutching
In my hand the weeks pay he had
rudely thrust or me.
That letter to which he referred
| who could have written It? What
could have been In II thai mad so In.
famed my employer against me?
racked my brains in vain, puzzling
to account for 1t. / had not been
aware that had an enemy in the
world, yet who but an enemy could
have written letter that would have
such dire effect?
The mystery of my dismissal was
too great for me to sol; e. The one
thing l felt thankful for was that it
had come before | had sent off my
money. At least I had two hundred
and fifteen dollars in my pocket. I'm
der my present mode Of life that