The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-05-27
DWELLING A MYSTERY.
Why the Beautiful Girl Bought Large Pieces
Of silver Always.

DWELLING A MYSTERY.
Why the Beautiful Girl Bought Large Pieces
Of silver Always.
There had been n mystery in one OF the most
important jewellers shops the mystery had been
n topic of conversation among the employees
for nearly a year and a half now, and although
it was greatly discussed, II had not yet been ex-
planned,
The Mystery was lovely to look upon, every
clerk emphasized that fact; she WINS tall and
slender. her hair was a copper bronze and heid
n prisoner every stray beam Of light, rejecting
II In golden CLEANS. She had great blue eyes
that looked s~Quarely and with earnest intent
hess into the faces OF the clerks. who had learned
10 serve her with considerate promptness and
marked courtesy.
When the lovely Mystery" had first APP
peared at the shop little attention had been
given TO her. With the acuteness of those who
meet hundreds daily in this great establish
ment. she had been diagnosed A. a young
woman who had come to choose some simple
gift for a comrade in her " walks in life,
The clerk who came Onward to serve her
merely hoped she would not ask to buy AN
empty jewellers box with the firm name therein.
There was a lad of perhaps fourteen years ac-
company Ing the grit lad in ill-titting, but
carefully mended clothes
Walking up To a counter where were dis
played the sterling silver goods, she asked to
see some articles -.
Did on wish sterling silver or plate goods
The blue eyes looked at him with stern sur
prise rs she said
The clerk carefully found a tiny emaciated
cucumber server and laid II on the velvet pad.
Without giving II more than a c'irsory glance
she asked:
Have you nothing more attractive than
these tTifing articles 10 show"
Che clerk suggested she make a tour OF the
Showcases and see If there was any piece OF
which she approved. Down the store she
walked. slowly, so graceful a figure as 10 at
tract many approving glances. pausing be-
fore Il case she asked TO have shown her a low
ing cup. With Ill concealed amazement ne
lifted oul the smallest one among the SIX sizes
"Twenly-four dollars. said the clerk with
icy solemnlty.
CHANGING at il indiGerenrly she said
SHOW me the tallest one, please.
1t was handed ont, and without a word the
girl took II ny, looked IL over, held II aloft. at
arms length, SET it on the showcase, backed
away from II. paused with her head on on
one side a little wrinkle Of anxiety made its
mark Oh her forehead, her lips gathered IN
a perturbed pucker, and said
What * the price,.
sixty dollars, with unnecessary dIstinctness.
on NAV nave II Ddth'ls ! VIII lhh' w.
What address. Madam" asked the fab
bergaSted attendant.
This boy will wait and take it when packed. "
She coolly produced SIX ten dollar oIIs,
torished, clerk, walked gracefully down the
shop and disappeared IN the crowded street
Tn. money was subjected to rigorous in
| spection by the head bookkeeper and its genu-
ineneSs vOuched for.
That was a year ago last October. and ever
since AT intervals. the Mystery" has appeared.
Ilar antruupa nj the Slnn WAS ALWAYS the DH-
casIon Of significant looks exchanged between
the clerks.
terry" had not been in. for some weeks-"not
since lieut. came in" he said. suddenly re-
membering the fact
Why. he cried. Il never thought Of it be-
ing Lent. last year or thi---she must have
been buy ,nE wedding, silver al the Tine"
Only once or twice had the Mystery bought
iewelry, once al the holiday season she had
crowded her WAY 10 the counter where were
displayed lorgnette chains, there. selecting
| two Of the most beautiful and expensive de-
large bills the sum Of $3.50 and leaving the
shop accompanied by the inevitable boy.
I'm going 10 follow her" said one of The in-
Follow her he did. one day. after she had
Dough, Q beautiful toilet set in silver deposit
work He saw the hoy leave her and turn
ncss-like aler,ness. until she came TO one
Of the great department stores; Here
in the reception room she waited until there ap-
| peared a middlc-aged woman whose identity
was partially disclosed as the .suburbanite
by tho fiat. but later TO be %apopl"ctic. hand
bag go near TO the out-of-town choppers heart
and pocketbook.
The Mystery" greeted her warmly: ."Auntie.
I'm SO glad you've come I've got just half
an hour TO take lunch with you.
SO. seated AZ n table in the restaurant Of the
place their mug meal is eaten.
| While she eats she SAYS:
You know, Aun,ie. ] told YOU about buying al
Mr.. Felsteon's wedding presents for him. Well.
I've had more fun this year than ever before.
fou know he sells pianos. and organs, and pia-
nOlas, and other mechanical Instruments,
the city and State. there il so much competition
in our business that We have TO do everything
to keep the trade. Almost every week some
music teacher or their daughter or sister. or
ried, Well, Mr.. Felsieen gets an invitation 70
every wedding. that means a wedding Gift. He
IL a bachelor. Won know. so he asks me 10 90
and select the presents All ] have to do Is
20 buy something large. that makes a big show.
I've asked him 10 LET me buy som jewelry, but
not must he n big piece nj something
Ever since I've been his s'enographer I've
had women come in on. store and put. on airs
10 me. and I've got sick Of II. SO now when 60
10 buy these presents put on airs and act Just
as simplify as 7 can. Just like the swell women
do. but I am ready 10 die laughing. il I wasn't
playing a part. Mr., Felsteen has a fancee'
] buy her presents, too. for him, bought her
oh, The sweetest lorgnette chain for a Christ
mas present, an opal chain, oh, my"
The girl emptied the contents of her purse
into her lap, found there twenty-three cents
with which she paid for both mnchnons, placed
the, empty, portemonnaie back in her pocket
ont she said. under her breath.
I've got 10 walk home tonight, hut never
mind, poor auntie II even poorer than ! am
though II don't SOON rs II any one could he,