The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-05-30
eur family Story.
Margaret Lee,
THE FEMALE DETECTIVE.

Barry Lawrence, with a frightened
look In her big brown v reaching
out @ trembling hand as she approach
ed the detective, in which was held a
morning paper.
~ came In answer to this, sir,D and
Barry Lawrence took the paper, as
with n hand he nonchalently remov-
ed his cigar from his lips, letting the
blue smoke curl slowly upward, as
with halfclosed eyes, he looked at the
girl narrowly, and after a close scru-
tiny, his eyes fell upon the sheet before
him, 70 a few printed lines where the
long, slender forefinger Of the girl still
pointed.
"That is intended for men, said
the chief as he arose to his feet.
But you didn't specify, SIR" the
girls voice trembled, and there was a
world of appeal in the big brown eyes.
Barry Lawrence laughed a little low
laugh.
That is understood" he said, and
resumed his cigar.
:" You want detectives, sir ?" Her
hands were tightly cliEched now, and
the chief noticed how cold and blue
they looked, and how wan and pitiful
the white. young face. Her clothing,
too, looked very poor.
"Come to the fire." he said kindly,
and knocking the ashes from his cigar,
handed the girl a chair.
She took It gratefully, and thanked
him.
"What is it you want to doY" Law
renee stirred the fire briskly.
, 1t was q morning in early mid
winter. The chief had been alone in
his Office until the girl came. He was
awaiting W to his advertisement
for Detectives Wanted,' etc, ETC.,
and expecting men and half-grown
boys, but not one woman or girl.
Naturally he was surprised.
The girl cleared her voice, and
looked more hopeful. Why, any
thing that you have to do, sir. I can
find out things as we'll as any man,
She paused, and caught her breath
hard, and continued. ~ must have
work, aud / am not strong enough to
do hard work, and 1 have never been
taught to do anything in particular,
n l haven't much of an education"
"Can you read and write 2" the chief
asked.
ooh, yes, sir; anybody can do that"
naively but I speak Of an education,
that means q good deal more than
that" She spoke eagerly, and with
the sound of longing in her voice.
81 see," said the chief, quietly. He
began to appreciate the girl.
"Now, what Is your name, and where
do you live ?"
Margaret Lee" the girl answered.
II live at No. "a. Melon street. / have
lived in the city all of my life. l was
born here"
Parents living?"
"My mother, sir and I have several
small sisters and brothers."
ANY old enough to work? ?"
"One brother, fourteen, cash boy in
Merwin's."
$50 most of the support falls upon
:vou.ro
Indeed, sir. until mother lost her
health, she washed and ironed, and
ever now sews when she Is not able"
deprecatingly.
What put the idea into your head
of being a detective ?"
The chief was apparently becoming
deeply interested, and the frightened
look left the girls face, and a faint
color crept into her pale cheeks.
"I've seen things at different times
In houses where I've worked, and in
stores, when things were missing, and
/ often found out who did the wrong,
and who made the trouble when no
wouldn't have done any good, and when
l was looking over tho paper this
morning for work and saw your adver-
tisement, / thought I would answer
it,"
"Hem, how old are you~ asked
Barry.
"Twenty-three."
~"Indeed! I heartily thought that"
Yes, sir, / am full twenty-three,"
Margaret answered.
Are you timid ?"
nn n0t af,asl f -o A..
but l did feel a little afraid OF you,
SIR"
The, chief Laughed hastily9ew.
-: swell, I'll tell. YOU" lie said, 81
have some work l believe that you a
do; at least I'll try you. There is a
good deal of stealing going on at
Potter's, on Fourth street, and so far
they haven't been able to fasten it on
any one. You go down there tomorrow
mcrning, and apply for a position.
I'll give them a tip meanwhile, and
you will get the place. Now, I'm not
going to give you a single direction {;
If you are a natural or acquired detec-
tive you will know what to do. Others
and q few moments later Margaret Lee
found herself fastening homeward
with q lightened heart.
The next morning she took her
place in the great wholesale house
very quietly, after a few moments con-
%versatiOn with one of the proprietors,
performing apparently the same duties
as some of the other girls.
"Its all nonsense, she won't amount
to anything" said the senior partner to
Chief Lawrence, as the latter strolled
lazily into the house a few hours later.
81 wish you had put on a man. Men
are sharper"
"I've put on several men," Lawrence
answered, % and so far they have
amounted to nothing. You say this
stealing has been going on systemati-
cally for a long time. You've watched,
I've watched, and my men have been
on guard, and yet we are all as much in
the dark as ever. 1t Is no harm to
give this girl a trial. I promise you
1t shall not be q long one."
Very we'll make it short" replied
Mr.. Potter, and soon after the chief
took his d~epaature.
1t was the fourth day of Margaret
Lees trial, when q sharp, decisive
ring at the telephone in his Office made
Barry Lawrence spring to his feet with
q bound.
Hello I! What's wanted 2"
Come up to the house at once"
The number was stated, and the chief
rushed out.
In q few moments more he stood in
the private Office of Potter 81 Co.,
wholesale house, where the senior and
yi,,,fa. |, actrar ard Ma,~a,ak no ,uo~o