Wallowa chieftain. [volume] (Joseph, Union County, Or.) 1884-1909, 1902-04-17
HER FIRST CLUE
nAnIr q detrctiYel"

w The superintendent of n large
department store scanned close
Iy the dainty little woman before him.
"Do you doubt the chiefs state
ment?" she asked.
mo, not that; but | was expecting
a large, strong and serious woman"
81 am neither weak nor frivolous"
came the answer, as the petite figure
Strengthened to its fullest height, while
fire flashed from the large brown eyes
that a moment before had smiled a
friendly greeting.
Mr. Hale laughed heartily eXclaim-
ing; Il see my error and | beg your
pardon. Let us get to work. You un-
derstand the matter, l presumed Sc
res of thefts in our cloak department.;
our own men being batlled, | privately
asked Chief Morse to aid me. In what
capacity do you Gomez
"As saleswoman. Is anyone suspect
edT
Il am sorry to say yes" replied Mr..
Hale, taking a letter from his desk.
Some time ago | received this anOny-
NOUS letter which tells me the floor
walker will bear watching. Mr. Bruce
is fine fellow. He came to us, high
school graduate, fourteen years ago.
He was ambitious, and soon jumped
over the counter floor walker, and ut
times we have sent him abroad as buy
or. Indeed, we were considering max
lug this position permanent one when
this trouble developed; but it is certain
Mr.. Bruce in action, looks and talk is
OF late wonderfully changed man, we
were compelled to prefer another"
u see. am ready now to be enroll
ed as an employe, but want this let
ter | shall return it. of course"
Her appearance as saleswoman in
the cloak department was a surprise,
Tor her personality astounded her asso-
clates, as with even a first critical
glance came an impression of her eX-
quisite daintiness and true refinement.
Her 30 years were to her youth. so
lightly they told on her.
She was clad in black, from which
49, ihiNAltu lHt ltCcul uCulu VI Il lCiti
ton had forced her to become a bread
winner.
But the sprightly little body did not
long leave them to surmiseS. for be-
tween sales and efforts to sell, she
round many chance for chats, till, as
the day waned, many asserted that the
new girl was a perfect little gossip; yet
all agreed she was present day young
woman. brimful of piquant and allur-
ing union of wit and wisdom.
The following day Miss Wood" fit
Ted '"ong her companions as an auto
gra. iiend. Her book was thrust
before all, and none there were that re-
siste}
The noorwalker smiled saf3y as ne
simply penned his name, "Charles Cor
don Bruce" and closing the album,
said quietly:
Miss Wood, may in return ask of
you a favorT
Certainly" she replied, pleasantly
he spoke in seeming desperation as
ne said: Il have been watching you
closely. You are not only an intelli'
gent woman, but keen and observant
one, l am sure; and for this reason
seek your aid. A systematic robbery
mas been going on in this department
Tor some weeks-one cloak at time
am helpless to discover the thief
VIII you watch closely and help me II
pOssibe?"
Certainly, will. sir; but 1t seems
strange. Who can it be?"
One of the score employed on this
moor" he answered, bitterly.
why doesn't the firm hire detec
uveF" she asked.
We always have three good mel
ABOUT the store" he asserted land
Know they have kept a close watch
and, frankly, know | am myself un
der suspicion, and unless the matter Il
solved soon | shall go mad"
lie quivered I'm the intensity of hi
emotion, and, full of sympathy, th'
i''ie woman unobservedly extended
Wand as she said stoutly: