Our Mutual Girl, No. 43 (1914)

One morning recently Margaret was awakened at a very early hour by the clatter of the telephone bells near the bead of her bed. The voice at the other end proved to be Ralph Hamilton's. He had just a few days before come into his uncle's property, which included large silk mills, and he was most anxious that Margaret should attend that afternoon in Paterson, New Jersey, the parade of the silk workers, where she would be the guest of Governor Fielder. "Our attorney was at the house last night," added Ralph. "My uncle's will fixes it so that I forfeit a large part of the income unless I take immediate charge of the mills and prove in one year that I am competent to handle the business. I've got to make good. And Betty says she'll disown me if I don't." Margaret was delighted to accept the invitation, but first she had an engagement with Aunt Abbie to do some shopping at Wanamaker's. She promised to hurry the shopping expedition a bit and then motor over to Paterson. So Our Mutual Girl and her aunt visited the famous establishment of the Quaker City merchant, and Margaret selected several pretty evening gowns, every one of American design, for she had determined to help spur American modistes into capturing and retaining the trade of American women in American-made clothes. Then they drove to Paterson. They were welcomed by Mayor Fordyce and Governor Fielder. From the Governor's box Margaret saw thousands of silk workers pass in review, then she bethought herself of Ralph. It was his first day in his uncle's plant. They decided to drive round to the factory and surprise him. At the mill Aunt Abbie suggested that she stay in the car until Ralph had been found, so Our Mutual Girl entered the office of the big plant alone. She was told by the office boy that Mr. Hamilton was on a tour of inspection and had given strict orders not to be called until he had finished. Margaret made up her mind that in that case she would go to him. Passing through the superintendent's office she saw a woman in black holding an animated, whispered conversation with the superintendent. She paused to ask directions, then observing that the two had the air of conspirators, and sensing that all was not right, she slipped behind a filing case to listen. What she overheard was a plot to set fire to the mill by overcharging the machinery, and thus ruin young Hamilton's future. It was to be perpetrated at the resumption of work after the lunch hour, and now it was nearly twelve o'clock. As the forewoman turned, for Margaret recognized by their conversation that this was her official capacity, Our Mutual Girl was startled to see the remarkable resemblance between herself and this female conspirator. Her nimble wits were at work instantly. Presently the superintendent left the room, and the woman, going to the wardrobe, changed her dress. The minute she was gone Margaret scrambled into the black dress she had taken off, and again hid. And noon too soon, for the forewoman came back for her purse and entered the wardrobe. Then our Mutual Girl, darting forward, locked the wardrobe door making her a prisoner. Seeking the superintendent in the huge room full of whirring machinery, she managed to fool him for several minutes. But suddenly, penetrating her disguise, and realizing that she was there to trap him, he seized Margaret and tried to throw her into the whirring wheels. She struggled, then emitted a piercing scream which carried over the jangle of the machinery. Ralph heard it in the front office and came running to see what was wrong. He knew he could not reach the woman in time, so he drew out his revolver and shot at the central switch. The whirring wheels came to a stop. But not until he was by her side and heard her voice did Hamilton recognize Our Mutual Girl. A well-directed punch sent the foreman to the floor in unconsciousness, and Margaret was in Ralph Hamilton's arms.