Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-02-02

"Mr. Hopgood," said Alice hurriedlv
to stout, short, bullet-headed man.
who was walking up and down the
store, there is a package of these
gloves missing"
Missing" barked out Mr.. Hiram
Hopgood, stopping short, and be-
ginning to count up the packages
missing? And don't you know Miss
Lee that you are responsible for
themY
Yes sir" faltered Alice; ''but-but
Miss Vane took them A package
slipped down, and she put it in her
pocket
''Nonsense!' said Mr.. Hopgood, tart.
ly. Miss Vane, one of our best
charge-customers! Why, you must be
crazy, Miss Lee!'
Il saw it myself, in yonder mirror"
protested Alice, in a faint voice.
''And why didn't you speak," de-
manded Mr.. Hopgood contemptuously
"a likely story that! You must take
me for a fool, Miss Lee. Now, look
here-if this package of gloves don't
turn up, somewhere and somehow, be-
tween now and Saturday night, YOU
pay it's value, or you leave the estab-
lishment. That's the rule of the store.
Miss Lee-the rule of the store! And
whatever you do don't let me hear any
more nonsense about Miss Vane.
wouldn't have such thing get to her
ears for the worldv
II.
Major Clarence CresweIl vas at tbs
labor Bureau engaging new
15oaacnman. Lawrence Q'Grady. the
last incumbent, was growing alto
gether too fond of the flowing bowl,
and the major found it imperativeiy
necessary to make a change. He was
standing waiting for a candidate to
be sent in, when a slight, soft-yoiced
girl entered the room.
"Alice!' he cried out. "Surely it is
Miss Lee?"
Major Creswell!'
For Alice Lee was the daughter of
the old housekeeper at CresWeil
Manor, and it was old Madam Ores
well herself who had obtained her the
position at Soames & Hopgood's.
"Alice,' he said, with the gentle,
authoritative tones of an elder broth
er, chow is it that you are in place
like this?"
81 am looking for a situation she
answered, in an almost inaudloie
| tone.
81 thought you were well placed at
Soames's dry goods house?'
"I-I have lost the placer
| He took her hand gently.
"Tell me how, Alice" he said.
| And she told him all.
cit was no fault of mine," said she.
81 saw the lady slip it into her pocket
a rich, elegantly dressed lady, whom
one would never suspect of such
thing"
Major Creswell's dark brows met.
DO you know who it was? said 1e.
ooh, perfectly WE'LL" said Alice. 1T
was Miss Alexia Vane-one of bur
regular customers"
Major Creswell started.
"Child, are you certain?" he asked.
81 saw her myself" Alice replied.
Major Creswell thought of the six
pairs of elegant gloves which had
come to him the week before. bearing
Massrs Soames & Hopgood's stamp.
with Miss Vane's perfumed card at
tached.
cit is very strange" muttered he.
between his set teeth. 'It is we'll
nigh impossible: and yet, Alice. child,
look here I will pay your fare to
! Creswell Manor. Go to my mother.
She will keep you there as maid, or
companion. or something, until you
suit yourself better. This intelligence
office is no place for you"
And Alice Lees timid look Of graft
tude showed how well-timed was the
generous offer.
Major Creswelll went straight to
Soames II Hopgood's establishment.
"What day did Miss Vane buy half
dozen pairs of gloves here?" asked
he. M4
The polite clerk turned to his books,
and, after a brief search, responded
courteously:
"Miss Vane has bought no kid gloves
here within the month";" said he.
Miss vane generally patronizes u.s.
but it so happens that she has not
made any purchases lately in the
glove line"
''But you have missed package
lately" said the major.
"Quite true" answered the clerk,
with some surprise. "And one of the
shop girls-Miss Lee-has been dis
| oborrod on srsnioion -
| Major Creswell brought out the
half-dozen pairs of gloves, still wrap
ped in silver paper.
"Is this the package?" he inquired.
Mr.. Hopgood was summoned and at
once pronounced that 1t was the very
same.
might I ask" s. 9
"Now
| :