Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-10-22
A Terrible Temptation.

You quite understand the circum-
stances then, Miss Dawes?'' said Mr..
Beauchamp of Beauchamp & Ray.
trimming merchants. 1T is only in the
most expensive materials that we are
being Systematically pilfered.'
Yes, sir; l think l understand
Then kindly accompany me. and l
will introduce you to the cashier and
Mr.. Jones, our walking gentleman.
The rest, 1 imagine, I may leave to
you
If you please said Miss Dawes.
There were between forty and fifty
young ladies at the various counters of
the great establishment Although it
was barely ten o'clock, business was in
full swing.
Mr. Beauchamp rubbed his hands
with pleasure at the sight of so many
customers.
It's not the pound-shilling-a
pence part of the affair that vexes me- -
he said quietly to Miss Dawes. I'm
concerned for the souls of these young
women; l am, indeed. Once launched
in a career of theft
L understand perfectly, Mr.. Beau
champ" said Miss Dawes, not without
shiver of disgust.
The introduction was soon made.
Mr.. Jones, the walking gentleman, was
greatly impressed by Gladys Dawes
appearance.
"A melancholy incident of our life,
MISS he remarked; but life is made
up of different materials"
Yes, just like a frock," Gladys
couldn't help replying.
Il beg your pardon
Mr.. Jones was not a witty person.
He believed he had been misunder-
stood
'If you will be kind enough to leave
me to myself just here for a time [
think it might be useful Gladys re-
piled.
She was by remote little cross-coun-
ter quite i'll the shade, whence, however,
an excellent view of the great establish
ment was obtained.
Mr.. Jones stared, whisked a speck of
dust off his otherwise spotless black
frock coat, and then, with a fiutter of
whiskers, went his way. His opinion
of the police system of the land was
not exalted by this interchange of
words with Miss Dawes.
Gladys pretended to be occupied with
a pile of ribbons, the better to escape
the direct notice of her colleagues by
adoption. Several of these passed by,
| glanced at her, whispered to each other
about the newcomer, and went their
way.
In the meantime Gladys was hard at
Work-not sorting ribbons, but study
! ing physiognomy and department.
| Her task seemed a desperate one
many respects, they so closely re-
! sembled each other.
| However, she tried to single out fol-
especial observation couple of young
women with very demonstrative man
ners and a certain arrogance of de-
meanor that Gladys did not like. Now
! and again she made casual excursions
to the door, or along the counters.
Her eyes were wonderfully quick and
| she saw a deal more than ordinary eyes
would have seen.
Still, nothing absolutely suspicious
had happened by II o'clock.
| 1t was now that Gladys was driven on
an entirely new tack. Quite near to hel
was a fragile looking girl who seemed
very tired. Whenever she could she
| leaned her back against the shelves be-
! hind her. 1t seemed to Gladys that she
/ expected someone; for she wrinkled hel
brow anxiously now and then as she
glanced toward the double door, which
was in a constant state of swing.
! And at length someone did come tc
! her. By the merest chance Gladys
caught the furtive look this way and
/ that which preceded the polite Good
morning, miss" with which the Gus
! toner was greeted.
Il want some passementrie," Gladys
| heard the customer say.
! This expensive trimming was duly
brought Gladys was woman enough tC
admire it.
Then some low conversation ensued
The yes. miss and mo, MISS that
murmured out of it did not deceive
Gladys. She was not sure of hel
quarry.
She watched the measuring, below
the counter, of four yards of the stuff
This was wrapped up, an invoice made
the money taken to the cashier, and the
GOODS and receipted bill given to the
customer, who then departed. After
which the shop girl drew deep breath
and wiped her face as if it were hot.
Gladys went up to her and said some
thing casual. Then only did she notice
what a pretty, fragile creature the CIR
was Half fed was her minds crit,
icism.
May 1 look at the lovely trimming
you just sold some OFF," she asked.
'Why?' was the frightened retort
There's very little left
Yes, [ know. You sold four yards
didn't you?"
mo only one and half"
"Caughtr' whispered Gladys to her
self
But at the same moment she was be
set by other than professional ambi
tons. She was strangely drawn t.
this poor little rogue.
"Oh, WE'LL she added, ut doesn'
matter. Besides, l expect l SHOULD
catch it for being idle, They keep on
|. baro don't fbRv2''