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"Meantime, Lady Bromley had also boon having rather an exciting ad- venture. : 'Qn the day that Gerald left for New H: che went down-town pHIg. uf ; had 'nearly completed her er-' .rands, having made moet of her in one 'of "Did you 8 chance to do it, i Jane?' inquired one of the other. "Yes; we basted the handkerchief . nto her that rich doctor she's so fond of hadn't requested it as a favor. Which 'one did you tack into the ape I'" asked voice number one. "Oh, that nice one that was hung up. as a sample--the ten-dollar one,' replied the other. "Won't the super just rave when she finds it's gone! She's responsible, you know. Then the hunt will begin, and our glum. little greenhorn will be walked off to the station-house in short order. You can give the alarm now as es oom. as you choose. Hush | there comes a floor- walker, and we must scoot." And the two salesgirls quickly separated and slipped away, but not before the floor-walker espied them, as he! suddenly rounded a counter, and frowned at this breach of rules. Lady Bromley remained by the case for some minutes after they Gisappenred, thinking vigorously, a trou expression on her fair face. : What she had overheard convine: ed her that two envious girls were lotting a great wrong against a ellow clerk, toward whom they had conceived a feeling of enmity, It was evident that they were all employed at the' lace-counter, | and had made use of some valuable article to carry out their nefarious purpose. She' was in doubt whe- ther she ought. to report what she had learned to ome of the floor- walkers, or inquire for the superin- tendent of the 'lace-department, and quietly put her on her guard, 80 that when the affair should come' to a crigis she would know just how to meet it. At last a bright idea flashed into her mind. 8Bhe would go to the lace- counter, call for' 'some handker- chiefs; and while: examining them, "-awvatoh for developments. She at ohce p ito put hee plan into execution. As she made hier request for the article desired, & hox was Smmediately passed "out to her, when: she instantly recognized the. clerk who was serving her as one of the plotters. ae : i Bhe leisurely examined the hand- kerchiefs, and 'all the time was quietly observant of what was go: ing on 'about her, until presently she noticed 'a wan, timid-looking «7 girl who was showing another lady ..-mom& fine. Valencinnes edging. 'That is doubtless the poor lit-| "tle vietim," she said to herself. haf, Then she remarked aloud %o 'the clerk who waa serving 'her: 'Here is a handkerchief which 1 like very ach, but there is a flaw in iti Have you 'a perfect one like it?" An evil Tight instantly sprang in- to the girl's eyes.' 3 + "No, madam, I have no nore like' that, but we have ® very: nice one--a. real bargain--that has just liars," 'she glibly ve ed alin Jopls ing | snato 'presented "At this the xcitement seemed to > ov by wrap, ad a The superintendent, an indignant Rush 1pon her choes:. onnced upon the supposed 'offender at bed the cape from her; and turning it inside gut, e view the missing handkerchief, fully basted to the lining, "Well I" she exclaimed, 'holdin it up before the almost Paralyzed girl; "this is a pretty return for the influence I used to got you a place at this counter! hat will Doctor" ore say, 1 wonder, care- ial did yon amb ike the Store: y Wi] of hex protege. le of months gone nrope, tor got me this broke my: arm last thought' this kind -o be easier for me, ed. -*'He's been for a cou to when he Jearns that you have been |hi stealing right before our eyes!" e girl was now as pale as ashes, a look of horror was in her eyes. 'I didn't steal it--I never knew it 'was there!' she cried, but cow- ering beneath the accusing glances ot her assoclates, as under a blow. Mr. Wall" --signaling to a floor walker, who, attracted by the ex- citement, had drawn near, 'this is a case for you th settle,' -and, holding up the cape aud handker- chief, she rehearsed the story as it Sppeared to 'her. he man took the garment from her, and looked it over. Then he Mturned almost fiercely 'upon the supposed ' culprit. 'Come out of shere!" he com- manded, 'and I will. walg you, without ceremony, up td the office, where' this matter will be investi: gated I"? : : . The poor child was trembling like a leaf, but she made no protest y uttered no complaint, and Lady Bromley's gentle 'heart ached 'for er. : As she came meekly out from be- hind the counter, her ladyship step- quietly to her: side, and, fac- ing the floor-walker, remarked in & low' tone, but with a dignity which instantly impressed him: #1 will go with her--1I happen to know something about this affair which I-would like to state to some one in authority here.' Mr. woman: with surprise, and his man- ner instantly underwent a remark- able change. : Certainly, madam---certainly,"' he'said afiably; ' 'this way, if you please. I sincerely hope that this very. unfortunate" occurrence oan he satisfactorily 'explained,' and 'he led the stately matron and the shrinking' girl: toward the of fice, while they were followed by the wondering glances of every one ff, who had witnessed the incident. . Upon reaching the "elegant ax 0 lious 0 pus. gentleman who 'arose to recei ; When, upo and title Pheveon ing the : 2 told story 10 a calm, straight: forward manner, which admitted of no doubt. Bhe desoribed minutely the girls HS aoy Prom! vd tothe. soente | didn't Yod. fie by t offered her, she | 'Yes; but she 20! £ irls from being hateful. ke store work, anyw packed in ao thoes: a i swell and ache from ing. 'But what will you do now that you have given ip the. position?' "Oh, I suppose 1'shall go to some employmens office, and try to' find ap age a8 nurse, of u was the response in a weary 'Can you "sew, Ellen?' Bromley questioned, after ing over the situation during the few moments they were the elevator. nad Yes, marm; and I eah sew real good, t00," said the girl, brighten- ing; "I used to help make boys' jackets when I lived wi mt," 'Why are you not living with her | now' gr "TI ran away!" 4a "Why did you do that P25 i] tt Ry 3 & . , nd wv ould of their [0] jackets for a living, and do all the housework, 1p them, besides; it was juet a slave's life. But 'about four months ago I broke my arm, and then, because: I couldn't work, they nearly starved Doctor Ashmore 8 i net maion, it allows thé employment cide and i one spray. Bordeaux one 'the f Wall 'regarded 'the beautiful 'Oh, how can : cruel {". murtaured with a shiver.' "I reckon you it is to be poor,' said the gi ing & curious look to her face; "it just makes devils of Well; the dostor was 80 mad | me 1'could go to stay with hin a while, SE eth the nurse to: r the children, if 1 whose conversation she | € had 'overheard, and the floor: | walker whose been marked down from twelve to ton §