Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-07-25
THE KLEPTOMANIAC.
A Tale Of Temptation Which Bears
q Moral.

Carroll had asked me to invite his
betrothed to Locust Grove. and having
made CAROLS wishes my law during
the twenty-eight years of his life, 1 at
once wrote to Miss Agnes Lapice. and
save her a cordial invitation to visit
me.
She accepted in graceful, pretty
note that prepossessed rue in her
favor, and at the time appointed
drove to the station and met her when
the train arrived. AS she was the only
passenger who got off the cars at
N, had no trouble about finding
her. and greeted her affectionately.
She was very, very pretty; pure
blonde, with a face like one of Ra-
phaers cherubim. almost babyish in its
round outlines. wondering blue eyes.
and short, golden curls. She was very
small. with helpless. childlike ways,
and I wondered greatly at Carroll's
choice.
For Carroll, my grandson. orphaned
in infancy. had grown to manhood I'M
der my care. and was a man grave and
rather sedate, of stern rectitude, de-
voted to his professionalism of a law
yer-and the last man in the world /
should have expected to fall victim
to a baby face and childlike manner.
And yet he loved Agnes Lapice with
the first true. strong love of his heart,
and saw only perfection in her caress-
ing ways.
In less than week ceased to won
der at what had first thought Car
rolls infatuation. Agnes Lapice was,
without exception, the most lovable
person [ ever met in my long life of
varied experience. She was nineteen
years old, and had been most carefully
educated. and behind her baby face
had well-stocked brain. Her singing
was simply perfect for an amateur.
and she played well. though her fingers
were seldom on the piano keys except
to accompany her sweet, pure voice.
One of her great charms was the
tender Difference she paid to my age.
without seeming even to consider me
too old for a confidante and compan-
ion. We saw Carroll only. from Satur-
day afternoon till Monday morning. as
Locust Grove was too far from the city
for daily trips. But, although Agnes
talked often of her betrothed. of the
preparations for her approaching we'd
ding. she never seemed weary Or dull
in our quiet life. She read well, and
we passed hours with our favorite au-
thors; she sang for me; she worked me
a gorgeous sofa cushion and we walked
and drove out together.
But, through all the charm of her
manner, the innocent caressing ways
habitual to her. there was an express
sion in her violet eyes that perplexed
me. 1t was not sufficiently defined to
be fear-more like a shadow of fear
and it was brief. passing away like a
summer cloud across the sunshine.
Often she would lock her little hands
together, till the pressure looked as il
it must pain her. while in her eyes
would come hungry look, as if she
were controlling some violent emotion
by a great effort.
She had been at Locust Grove about
three weeks, when began to be troub-
led about the extra servant 1 had
| hired to wait upon my visitor. She
was young girl from N. who had
been highly recommended to me by
one of my own servants. and she was
willing and respectful; but l doubted
her honesty.
Having had the same servants about
me for years-wOmen of tried princi-
ple-I had become careless about locks
and keys and seldom used them; but
little tribes Of value began to disap.
pear most marvelously after Hannah
came. A gold pencil-case with dia
mond head. that had belonged to my
husband, was the first thing that
missed; then followed a card-case Of
silver; small trinkets disappeared, and
was thinking Hannah must be sent
away. when one morning. guing unex
pectedly to my room, saw, through
the open door. reflection in my long
mirror. Unseen myself, 1 watched
Agnes Lapice as she softly opened my
box of jewels. took out a pair of dia
mond earrings and put them upon the
bureau. In her eyes was the look O
fear, now positive, defined terror; and
her tiny hands worked cOnvulsively
as she held them over the trinkets
Suddenly she snatched them, secrete6
them in her pocket, turned, and saw
me.
With cry that was terrible to hear
it was so full of despair, she literally
threw herself at my feet, moaning as
if in pain. I stood erect looking al
her. I am an old woman, and the new
names for lady-like stealing were un.
known to me. Agnes Lapice. grovel-
ing at my feet, was simply a thief,
who had robbed me-. and allowed an
innocent servant to be suspected; 70,
she knew my resolution regarding
Hannah. Presently she looked up.
i