The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-10-29

ed that cried out before knew what !
was about:
Why, Miss Ruby :"
She seemed startled and very much ag-
itated, but hurried along by my side, ex-
/ planning that she had been there on an
an errand Of mercy to an old servant, for
merry in their employ, who was now
dying.
But yoa should not let your tender
heart run away with your Judgment" ," |
said. This is not a safe place for a lady
10 come alone
"why are you hereG" she asked, pres
emily.
"My profession sends me into odd pla-
ces Sometimes l said came to find
an old Jew who lives about dozen
blocks further down the street
1t is dreadful place, she said, with
a shiser. Do you come here very
often?r
This is my only visit
1 accompanied Ruby TO the nearest
street ear. saw her safely aboard, and re-
sumed my walk
That night another piece of lace was
missing.
Il will put in photographer and have
every customer photographed, and each
in turn arrested and searched, l swore
wrathfully to myself
Accordingly, in the morning, l INSTALL
ed lady who Was an expert with the
small detective camera, giving her or
ders to photograph every customer Of the
Lace counter, aud attach the hour and
minute Of her call to the plate.
A varied, and, doubtless, interesting
collection Of negatives wss gathered, day
BY day, yet no losses occurred, and
week went by. Then on dresry, rainy
night the doors were closed, the two
clerks were busy taking account Of stock
for they had come to do this work az
ter closing hours, that there might be no
possibility of further losses.
had entered the store at the hour Of
closing, and lifting the photographers
try, We sauntered toward the rear en-
trance. Suddenly there was sharp cry,
and We turned 10 the lace counter. The
girls were almost wild. Another valuable
piece of lace was missing. l thought the
girls would faint, but We cheered them
by declaring that We should certainly
/ find the thief somewhere in our collec-
ton OF faces, and that We would soon
sit the right one out.
They placed no confidence iu the pho
tographs, and so nervous were they that
they could hardly put the goods away
properly, and when We started for the
managers office l had to support Miss
Grant, so unsteady was she.
AT what hour did this happen ?" the
manager asked, iercely.
They were all there at noon, when
we took account Of stock" Jennie Gre
wish said.
81 saw that particular piece at three
o'clock" EleanorlGrant gasped.
That brings it down. pretty close,
our little photographer cried, cheerily-
All pictures taken after three o'clock
shall be developed at the first possible
moment. We will see what we have
been hiding about here a whole week for
catching pictures Of every soul that dsr-
ed 10 venture in. Never mind" girls.
she cried, :" 60 home and get q good
nights sleep. We will find out where the
trouble is tomorrow
pardon me, Miss St. Giles" ventured
in one of the pauses, as We stood for =
moment in the shadowy conservatory,
''but what exquisite lsces you wear"
She turned from me with an odd, i'm
patient gesture
1t neesled no suggestion TO make my
sleepsound that night or, rather, the next
morning, for spent the witehing hours
of midnight with Miss st. Giles at one of
the most fashionable balls Of the season
"They were my mothers" she said de-
cisively. Il value them on that account
never buy laces."
"Your mother had excellent taste"
said, when she turned upon me, saying
being man, how DO you know -
Her blue eyes closed to narrow steely
lines, from which she eyed me sharply
1t was an odd look, and it startled me
but at that instant gay cavalier claimed
her for the lancers and she was whirled
away without an answer.
The morning was well advanced when
I reached the Office. had arranged that
the photographer should bring proofs Of
her pictures there as early as possible
She was there before me. / noticed her
excitement before had closed the door
behind me, but she did not speak until
sure we were alone.
"We have caught the thief in the act
she said, drawing print from her case
took it from her hand
-You see she is just in the act Of con-
ceaIing it beneath her wrap. l did not
notice the movement, but our camera
caught her"
"My God - cried, "not this one. Not
Ruby :"
The picture was that of Ruby St Giles.
~You can see the lace, sir Do you
know the LADY,"
demurred. This must be a bad print
that lace must have been her handker-
chief--any, and every excuse l offered.
The lady handed me a half dozen other
prints of the same picture There it was
there was no doding il. Try as might,
there was a correct likeness Of Ruby St
Giles, and she certainly was in the very
act of concealing the stolen property
about her person
After the first wild protest was bliged
to admit to myself and knew the ne
cessity of acting directly lay upon me.
As recovered from the shock the de-
tectiye instinct came uppermost, and ike
a fash. I remembered that visit down in
the Jew quarter.
Bidding the photographer wait at my
Office, took a couple officers and went
to the building from which had seen
Miss st. Giles emerge l will not tire
you with the details, but will only say
that by piece Of rare good luck We
stumbled on to an old Jew pack peddler