The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-04-10

she.
"Well, saw you this morning while
going to the Office, and you crossed the
street without sign Of recognition"
You are mistaken. SIR" she inter-
rupted, in tone OF GOODNESS. ''As !
said. have not been away from home
this morning"
Pardon, Mabel, must have been
mistaken"
without doubt, Harry. But let as
not quarrel. What is your plan?"
Her answer was not satisfactory, but
in order to satisfy myself that the charges
made against her were either true or
false, my plan should be carried out
Rejecting moment, asked:
Have you any shopping to do. to-day,
Mabel?'
Not to-day"
Tomorrow. them"
''Perhaps-why?'
"Answer this. first Mabel! Where
will you 60 shopping"
mot at Smiths. most assuredly."
''Why not at Smiths, Mabel?''
"Because I'm disgraced enough now"
well, in order to carry out my plan,
you must 60 to Smiths"
A moment Of silence followed before
she spoke:
1T will be hard to do. Harry, but il it
isabsolutely necessary, I'll 60 to Smiths.
The charges are false, anyway, and be-
ing innocent why should fear to show
my face
'.You certainly should not, Mabel.
Well, go there tomorrow, and the next
day to Browns. Continue this pro-
gramme for . week or 50, going to
Smiths and Browns alternately. We
may be able to trap the clerks -if they
are the guilty ones. Manage to be at
these places at certain hour each day
say two o'clock or three. Understand?''
Eyes, Harry. and I'll endeavor to carry
out my part to the letter. Will you be
there?"
Il may, and again may not. You
fulfil your part, and leave the rest with
me-
"You may rely upon me, Harry-that
is, Of course, II sickness does not inter-
fere."
"Very we'll, Mabel. "I'll trust you,"
replied. feeling. however, that ii she
could tell falsehood in one instance
she could in another. Repeating the ar
rangement. l babe her goodnight and
left.
In the disguise Of an old gentleman
with long white beard, and DOMINIC q
pair OF specs, ! appeared at Smiths the
following day. Previous to this &C
quainted the proprietor with an outline
OF my plans, and had called on Mr..
Brown, the jeweler, also, stating what l
intended to do.
At two o'clock, Mabel entered the
store. She went to the same counter,
the clerk of which had accused her of
theft. was at the opposite counter.
She looked around, and failing to note
my presence, . shade Of disappointment
| crossed her face.
Making small purchase, she left. ]
| watched the clerk without attracting his
attention. He looked over the open
boxes, still upon the counter. and re-
turned them to their proper places upon
the shelves. Mabel had not taken any
thing, nor had the clerk.
Remaining awhile was surprised to
see Mabel return to purchase something
she had apparently forgotten. watched
her closely, and saw her abstract piece
OF lace from box, when the clerk had
his back toward her. Then she paid for
the articles bought, and left. The clerk
went through the same operation Of ex-
aiming the boxes, and this time made
. note in his book.
Convinced that the charges were true,
and that the clerks were innocent left
the store and returned to my Office, feel
ing that all was over between Mabel AMI
myself. Still, concluded to follow up
the programme, and see to what extent
she would go.
That evening / called, and asked if
she had been at Smiths. She replied
she had, at two o'clock. Smith said
you were there" said /, watching her
closely.
"Yes; about I've minutes. Iexpected
to see you there"
mo"
| "About halt after two ! was there,
and they say you left i've minutes be-
FORE"
L
ty-fve minutes. by the watch"
They say you returned to make moro
purchases said /, carelessly.
20, no; was there but once"
"You did not return then?'
Certainly not. What do they mean
by making such assertions, I'd like to
know, Harry?"
''Can not say" replied, kno wing full
we'll that she had returned and stolen
the piece of lace. After chatting fifteen
minutes or SO, / took my departure, won
dering how young lady Of her stand
ing in society, with ample means at her
command, would stoop to falsehood and
theft. The blow was hard one, in.
deed, to my ambitions.
The following day resumed my dis.
guise, and appeared ct Browns, although
| felt that had seen enough to con.
vince me.
!, Mabel appeared at three o'clock. in.
spected some fine rings. and departed
without making purchase. Nothing
was missing; nor did she return.
She made some purchases at Smiths
; next day, returning shortly to look over
some silk handkerchiefs. Directing the
clerks attention to some article in the
; next case, she slipped handkerchief IN
; her handbag.
/ concluded not to call at her home
; until the programme was fulfilled, and
then should bid her farewell, and leav.
town forever.
Saturday came. This was her day .
l n
out for her inspection, and when an op
portunity offered, she stole one. l wa
J now convinced that she was thief, an,
following her out, determined to tel
her 80. She was few yards In advance
!o3 me, and before reached her she 70