The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-08-23

It was q busy day in the department
store of Marburg & Co. Simon Lane.
head clerk Of the fur department. was
even more than usually oficious.
The occasion for Simon's especial
good nature was a new and lavish Gus
toner. She was a handsome, richly
dressed woman Of about 80 years, with
a frank, pleasant smile and a very
engaging air OF c~ondescension, which
made Simon more than usually servile
In his attentions. She appeared much
interested in the display of selected
furs. There was a subtle fattery in
the manne In which she sought
Simon's opinion on the various goods,
but her own remarks showed her to
be a ~connoisseur. After much delib-
Grafton she selected some handsome
seal skins, with careless indifference
to their price, and a set of sables, the
pride of the Marburg fur display. She
gave a little sigh Of WEAKNESS as she
concluded her buying and unclasped
her purse.
II should like greatly to take my
purchases with me-" she said, Il wish
to have the furs for this evening. II
it won't trouble you too much, will
you have them packed at once and
shall take them in my carriage. What
is the amount?' She took a roll OF
bills from her purse and counted them
slowly.
Eleven hundred dollars, ma'am,"
said Simon, after a somewhat lengthy
calculation.
A faint flush had begun to color the
woman's features. She uttered a slight
but startled exclamation. Il must con-
TESS that | have exceeded by purse"
she said, blushingly, Il haven't that
amount with me. However, | must
have those furs-and l can't wait until
tomorrow. May l speak with your
employer a moment" she asked hest
tatingly, blushing a deep crimson from
embarrassment. 81 think l see a way
out of the difficulty"
Simon led the way to the grated
window of old Marburg's office and
briefly related the situation.
you would greatly oblige me" the
woman fastened to conclude, If you
would allow your clerk here to accom-
pany me to my husbands office. My
carriage is waiting outside. | shall
procure a check for my purchase,
which / shall return to you through
your clerk. You will do me a great
service" she added, "and besides you
will release me from a very embar.
RAISING situation"
On the shrewd countenance Of old
Marburg a frown gathered for a mo-
ment, a frown of distrust; then, at the
thought Of losing a new and evidently
wealthy customer, his face cleared.
mo favor whatever, madam; Mr..
Lane here shall accompany you and
return with the check" And old Mar
burg turned again to his desk.
A carriage awaited them at the
curb. Simon followed, sat down oppo'
site her, and the carriage rolled away
Simon was charmed by the engaging
conversation of his companion. Still
exhibiting a slight air Of reserve, as
might well become a society leader
thrown into such a delicate situation,
she c%onversed entertainingly on those
topics of the day that might interest
a clerk. AS they talked, the carriage
was speeding along, out through the
crowded streets of the business dis
trict to the quiet of the suburbs.
Simon was beginning to experience
a slight feeling of uneasiness, when
the horses slowed down to. a walk and
he felt that their destination was near
at hand.
A hasty glance through the carriage
window told him that they were on
the grounds of the Cheslea Private
Sanitarium. He Immediately conclud-
ed that the woman opposite him was
the wife of some official Of the estab-
lishment. He was more strongly In
trenched in this belief when the car.
riage drew up at the main doorway.
The woman arose and spoke with a
ravishing smile. Wont you please
step up into the waiting while !
see DR.. Cheslea? I'll be gone but
Just a moment"
Simon was only too happy to obey
and followed her into a cosy little
waiting room, where she left him.
Two attendants in uniforms were
Longing in the apartment and Simon
saw that they were watching him
closely. The woman was gone but
a few moments when she returned.
She had a kerchief to her eyes and
was weeping. She stepped quickly to
his side and, before he realized what
she had done, she had kissed him i'm
pulsively on the forehead and rushed
from the room sobbing loudly. The
~suddenness, the strangeness Of 1t all
took Simon completely by surprise,
but in a moment he recollected him
self and started after her. Ere he
reached the door an attendant seized
him by either arm.
What does this mean" cried 81
mon, almost stunned at these unlock
ed for proceedings.
BE quiet, sir. Calm yourself" said