The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-09-14
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The MYSTERY. .
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~ " nSA TIC ioNely mystery uitu uFSC
appeared at the shop, little attention had
been given to her. With the acuteness of
those who meet hundreds daily in this
great establishment, she had been dag
nosed as young woman who had come
to choose some simple gift for a comrade
IN her own walks of life. The clerk who
came forward to serve her merely hoped
she would not ask to buy an empty jew
ell box with the firm name therein.
There was lad of perhaps IA years ac-
campaigning the girl-a lad in ill fitting,
but carefully mended clothes.
Walking up to counter where We're
4 displayed the sterling silver goods, she
asked to see some articles.
DO you wish sterling silver or plate
goods? 2" asked the clerk.
The blue eyes looked at him with stern
surprise as she said:
Sterling
Z The clerk carefully found tiny, ema-
ciated cucumberseryer and laid it on the
velvet pad.
Without giving it more than a cursory
glance, she asked:
Have you nothing more attractive
than these trifling articles to show?'
The clerk suggested she make tour
'cf the showcases and see if there was any
piece Of which she approved. Down the
Z store she walked slowly, so graceful
figure as to attract many approving
glances. Pausing before case, she ask
ed to have shown her a loving cup. With
(. Ill concealed amaZement, he lifted out
the smallest one among the six sizes dis
played.
Twenty four dollars,'' said the clerk
with icy solemnity.
CHANGING at it indifferently, she said:
"Show me the tallest one, please
It was handed out, and, without a
Y word, the gisl took it up. looked it over,
held it aloft at aEm's length, set it on
the showcase, backed away from it.
paused With her head on one side; lit
tie wrinkle of anxiety made it's mark on
her forehead, her lips gathered in per-
turbed pucker and said:
What is the price?"
Sixty dollars" with unnecessary dis
tinctness.
You may have it packed. will take
it,
"What address, madame" asked the
flabbergasted attendant.
"This boy will wait and take it when
packed
She cooly produced six $40 bills, paid
them away without a glance at the as
tonished, clerk, walked gracefully down
the shop and disappeared in the crowded
street.
The money was subjected to rigorous
inspection by the head bookkeeper and
its genuineness vouched for.
That was year ago last October, and
ever since at intervals the Mystery"
has appeared. Her entrance at the shop
4 was always the occasion of significant
looks exchanged between the clerks.
One clerk CHANGED to think that the
II Mystery" had not been in for some
weeks. Not since Lent came in," he
said, suddenly remembering the fact.
why" he cried, II never thought Of
1t before, but she never has bought an ar
ticle during Lent, last year or this. She
must have been buying wedding silver
all the time"
Only once or twice had the Mystery
bought jewelry: once at the holiday sea
son she had crowded her way to the
counter where were displayed lorgnette
chains. There, selecting two of the most
beautiful and expensive designs, she took
them on approval, paying with large bills
the sum Of $3.50, and leaving the shop ac-
companied by the inevitable boy.
.I'm going to follow her." said one of
the interested statesmen.
Follow her he did one day, after she
had bought beautiful toilet set in silver
deposit work. He saw the boy leave her
and turn into Union square. The girl
walked with businesslike alertness until
she came to one OF the great department
+ stores. Here, in the reception room, she
waited until there appeared middle
( aged woman, whose identity was partial
~ disclosed as the suburbanite by the
II fiat, but later to be apoplectic handbag
SO near to the out of town shoppers 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 at table in the restaurant
of the place, their frugal meal is eaten.
While she eats she says:
You know, auntie, l told you about
buying all Mr.. Felsteen's wedding pres.
ents for him. Well, I've had more fun
this year than ever before. You know he
sells pianos and organs and pianolas and
other mechanical instruments, besides
music, to hundreds of people all over the
city and state; there is so much competi
ton in our business that we have to dc
everything to keep the trade. Almost
daughter or sister or some organist OF
out of town dealer gets married. Well
4 Mr.. Felsteen gets an invitation to every
wedding: that means wedding gift. he
is bachelor, you know, so he asks me
to 60 and select the presents. All have
to do is to buy something large thai
makes big>show. I've asked him to lei
me buy some jewelry, but mott must be
big piece Of something.
ever since I've been his stenographel
I've had women come in our store ant
put on airs to me, and I've got sick of it
So now, when go to buy these presents
put on airs and act just as simplify as
can-just like the swell women do. Blu
/ am ready to die laughing if l WASH
playing part. Mr.. Felsteen has {
fiancee buy her presents, too. FOL
him. bought her, oh, the sweetes
lorgnette chain for Christmas present
an opal chain! Oh, my"
The girl emptied the contents of he
purse into her lap, found there % cents
with which she paid for both luncheons
placed the empty portemonnaie back il