Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-03-14
HER FIRST CLUE

0noU. a detectiveT"

wv The superintendent of a large
% department store scanned close
ly the dainty little woman before him.
do you doubt the chiefs state
ment" she asked.
mo, not that; but l was expecting
a large, strong and serious woman"
Il am neither weak nor frivolous"
came the answer, as the petite figure
Strengthened to it's fullest height, while
fire flashed from the large brown eyes
that a moment before had smiled
friendly greeting.
Mr.. Hale laughed heartily, exclaim-
ing: II see my error and l beg your
pardon. Let us get to work. You un-
derstand the matter, l presume-o Sc
ries of thefts in our cloak department;
our own men being baftied, privately
asked Chief Morse to aid me. In what
capacity do you Gomez"
LAS saleswoman. Is anyone suspect
ed?"
Il am sorry to say yes," replied Mr..
Hale. taking a letter from his desk.
Some time ago l received this anony-
nous letter which tells me the floor
walker will bear watching. Mr.. Bruce
is a fine fellow. He came to us, high
school graduate, fourteen years ago.
He was ambitious, and soon jumped
over the counter, a floor walker. and at
times we have sent him abroad as buy
er. Indeed, we were considering max
ing this position permanent one when
this trouble developed; but it is certain
Mr.. Bruce in action, looks and talk is
of late a wonderfully changed man. we
were compelled to prefer another"
Il see. l am ready now to be enroll
ed as an employe, but want this let
ter. l shall return it, of course"
Her appearance as saleswoman in
the cloak department was a surprise.
for her personality astounded her asso
ciates, as with even a first critical
glance came an impression Of her ex-
uuisite daintiness and true refinement.
Her 80 years were to her youth, so
lightly they told on her.
She was clad in black, from which
all inferred the recent death of rela-
tion had forced her to become bread
winner.
But the sprightly little body did not
long leave them to surmises. for be-
tween sales and efforts to sell, she
found many chance for chats. till, as
the day waned, many asserted that the
new girl was 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
,n nil oV,tA
graph tiend. Her book was thrust
before all. and none there We're that re-
sisted.
The floorwalker smiled sadly as he
simply penued his name. Charles Cor
don Bruce" and closing the album,
said quietly:
Miss Wood, may in return ask of
you a favor?'
Certainly" she replied. pleasantly.
He spoke in seeming desperation as
he said: Il have been watching you
closely. You are not only an intelli-
gent woman, but a keen and observant
one, am sure; and for this reason l
seek your aid. A systematic robbery
has been going on in this department
for some weeks-one cloak at time.
1 am helpless to discover the thief.
VIII you watch closely and help me if
possible?"
Certainly, will. sir; but it seems
strange. Who can it be?"'
"One OF the score employed on this
floor" he answered. bitterly.
why doesn't the firm hire a detec-
tive" she asked.
I'VE always have three good men
about the store" he asserted land l
know they have kept a close watch,
and, frankly. l know l am myself un-
der suspicion, and unless the matter is
solved soon l shall go mad.''
He Quivered in the intensity of his
emotion, and. full OF sympathy. the
little woman unobservedly extended a
hand as she said. stoutly:
y will use my eyes. believe me-"
Thank you." he said. warmly, as
with grateful pressure of the hand
he turned away.
Alone in her den that evening Rer
nice Wood. microscope in hand. bent
over her album of autographs. 1t was
her belief that every adult handwrit-
ing was made up of the characteristics
OF the Individual. and that in a test all
depended on the presence or absence Of
these characteristics.
SSShe placed by the side of each auto
graph the disguised handwriting of the
letter and instituted comparison of