Wichita eagle., 1889-09-15
THE KLEPT0MANIAC.

Carroll had asked me to invite ais betroth-
ed to Locust Grove, and having made Car
rolls wishes my law during the twenty-eight
years of his life, / at once wrote to Miss Ag-
mes Lapice, and gave her cordial invitation
to visit me.
She accepted in graceful, pretty note that
prepossessed me in her favor, and at the time
appointed l 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 greet
ed her affectionately
She was very, very pretty; pure blonde,
with face like one Of Raphaels cherubirh,
almost babyish in its round outlines, wonder
ing blue eyes, and short, golden curls. She
was very small, with helpless childlike ways,
and l wondered greatly at CAROLS choice
For Carroll, my grandson, orphaned in in
fancy, had grown to manhood under my
care, and was man grave and rather sedate,
of stern rectitude, devoted to his profession,
that of lawyer, and the last man in the
world l should have expected to fall victim
to baby face and childhke manner. And
yet he loved Agnes Lapice with the first true,
strong love Of his heart, and saw only per-
lection in her caressing ways.
In less than week | ceased TO wonder at
what l had first thought CAROLS infatua-
ton. Agnes Lauice was, without exception,
the most lovable person L ever met in my
long life Of varied experience. She was 10
years old, and had been most carefully edu-
Gated, and behind her baby face had a well
stocked brain. Her singing was simply per-
feet for an amateur, and she played well,
Eevs except to accompany her sweet, pure
voice.
One of her great charms was the tender
Difference she paid to my age, without seem
ing even to consider me too Old for conf
dante and companion. We saw Carroll only
from Saturday afternoon till Monday morn
ing, as Locust Grove was too far from the
city for daily trips. But, although Agnes
talked often of her betrothed, Of the prepara-
tions for her approaching wedding, sine never
seemed weary or dull in our quiet life. She
read well, and we passed hours with our IA
vorite authors, she sang for me, she worked
me gorgeous. sofa cushion, and we walked
aud drove out together.
But, through all the charm of her manner,
the innocent, caressing ways habitual 10 her,
there was an expression 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
summer cloud across the sunshine.
Often she would lock her little hands to-
gether till the pressure looked as if it must
pain her, while in her eyes would come a
hungry look, as if she were controlling some
violent emotion by great effort.
She had been at Locust Grove about three
weeks when | began to be troubled about the
extra servant l had hired to wait upon my
visitor. She was a young girl from N,
who had been highly recommended to me by
one of NY own servants and she was willing
and respectful; but doubted her honesty.
Having had the same servants about me-
for years, women Of tried principle, L had be-
come cnreless about locks and keys and sell
dom used them; but little t-ifes Of value be-
gan to disappear most marvelously after
Hannah came. 4 gold pencil case with dia-
mond head, that had belonged to my nus
band, 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, going
Unexpectedly TO my room, l saw, through the
open door, reflection in MY long mirror.
Unseen myself, l watched Agnes Lapice as
she softly opened my box of jewels, took out
a pair of diamond earrings and put them
upon the bureau. In her eyes was the look
Of fear, now positive, defined terror; and her
tiny hands worked convulsively as she held
them over the trinkets. Suddenly size snatched
them, secreted 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. l
stood erect looking at her | am an old wo-
man, and the new names for ladylike steal
ing were unknown 10 me. Agnes Lapice,
groveling al my feet, was simply thief who
had robbed me, and allowed an innocent SER
want TO be suspected, for she knew my reso-
luton regarding Hannah. Presently she
looked up
You Will not tell Carroll!' she said, i'm
ploringly. Then seeing, | suppose, my utter
disgust in my face, she cried:
Il cannot help it. You may blame me as
you will II cannot resist the inclination to
steal. do try, bat when | see small articles
must take them. l do not want them;
viii give you back again all l have taken,
but l shall probably steal them again when l
see an opportunity. / must do lit
Then | took her from the ground and
looked into her eyes trying 10 read the in
sanity was sure was upon her. She lay IN
my arms ike q child, sobbing pitifully, re-
peating her assertion Of inabinty 10 resist the
desire 10 steal till, against my own reason,
in spite of my rectitude and common sense,
! found myself petting and plying her as
if she were the victim of . fever.
But l would not promise TO keep secret
what had discovered. Though l was won
over to a most profound pity, l shrauk from
the idea of Carroll wife being thief.
1t was a strange coincidence that on the
very same evening, Carroll, coming homs
for his weekly visit, while we were chatting
in the drawing room, ssid, gravely:
i had a very painful case presented TO
ms this morning. One Of our leading mer-
chants wanted me TO defend his daughter,
VINO IS the victim OF kleptouaania."
felt Agnes, who sat near me, shiver and
sip her ice cold hand into mine.
Perhaps, grandma" continued Carroll,
you 40 not know that kleptomania Is the
new name for fashionable theft. We are old
fashioned folks here, and have always called
a thief thief 1t is noRStrous," be said ms
eyes 1ashing, Ito defend stealing because the
thief Is in high social position
But" l said, they plead the temptation
Is irresistible"
so may any thief plead Surprising
.-era - re- ir~0 hank q-1 fasl 81, ira
sistible desire 70 run away with a Few thou
sand dollars worth Of bank notes. Do you
Imagine judge OF jury would acquit meT'
But" l urged again, If You had dear