Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1897-02-04
STORY OF A X X X X
X X kLEPTOMANIAC.


AZ ldSI lHey got up ana went INTO tne
ballroom again. On the chair, where
the girl had been sitting. lay something
shining. | StrOlled across and examined
it. 1t was her vinaigrette, which she
had probably left there by accident.
replaced it, thinking it might serve as
a trap for our fashionable thief, if he
were in the neighborhood, and with
drew to my corner, where | was almost
invisible.
Presently an old gentleman strolled
out to smoke cigarette. He was tall,
handsome, intellectual-looking man,
with the air of the true aristocrat. His
name | didn't know, but had noticed
him chatting with the guests. He was
evidently known to everyone, and was
a man of social Importance.
Presently his eye caught the little
jeweled vinaigrette. He looked care
lessly round the conservatory, to see if
he was observed, and picked it up. He
now had his back to me- was on the
point of stepping up to him, when he
turned round, and replaced the vinai-
grette and walked quietly away.
1t was lucky | had not moved.
should have looked rather foolish Some
curious instinct bade me cross the con-
servatory, and look at the vinaigrette
again. Without thinking about it, put
it to my nose
The next thing | remember is, that
| found myself sitting in a chair. Grad
ually, things became clearer. The
vinaigrette lay by my side. 1t was
drugged. For few minutes had lost
consciousness. | still felt dizzy and
sick. but knowing that everything de-
pended on my being prompt and acute,
managed with an effort to pull myself
together.
ThenarOse the question, What should
| do next? Should go straight to the
man who had tampered with the vinai-
grette? a moments thought showed
me that that would be worse than use
less. l had no proof of anything. The
situation must be allowed to develop
itself before | interfered.
After some little reflection. decided
to go back to the drawing room, where
| could see what was going on. Under
any circumstances must not lose sight
of the girl to whom the vinaigrette be-
longed.
For nearly half an hour l waited in
vain. She danced with two or three
different men. but did not seem to have
missed it.
At last, after one of the dances, she
appeared to be looking for something.
With what was, | presume. an apology
to her partner, she skipped across the
room to Il group of girls. Evidently she
was asking if any of them had seen her
vinaigrette.' For some time she got no
information, but presently Il girl who
was passing, leaning ON mans arm,
turned round and made some remark,
pointing with her fan to the conserva-
tory door. The owner of the vinaigrette
gave little nod of thanks, and hurried
across the room.
All this time l observed that the man
who had drugged the scent bottle, and
who was chatting with some of the
people standing about watched the girl
closely.
AS soon as she had left the drawing
room he broke off his conversation, and
strolled quietly toward the conserva-
tory. AS he passed through the cur.
tains l noticed that he glanced around
to see If he We're being followed.
That settled it; had found my man,
and must act promptly. Mrs. Register
was standing near the piano. Remem-
bering her injunction that there was
not, under any circumstances. to be an
expose or scene. 1t was necessary to
proceed with caution. caught her eye
without much difficulty She under
stood at once that had Something to
say, and disengaged herself from her
friends.
"Will you come with me to the con-
servatory?' said, quietly. Il believe
l have solyed,the mystery"
She turned pale. Every WELL" she
said. Give me your arm. Re careful
what YOU do, Mr.. Lowe" she added. in
a troubled voice; ut must be hushed
up"
When we reached the conservatory
we found, just as expected, the young
lady lying back in a chair unconscious.
Her ear drops were missing.