The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-08-01
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THE
SPOOKERY
By ALBERT J. KLINCK
BY ALBERT J. n
(OOpyriRht, by shortstory Pub. -

one nad leIt much 10 do this alter
noon. In order to get around, she
did not wait at several counters to
have her purchases wrapped up, but
put them directly into a handbag she
carried. She also managed to have
the right change and did not have to
wait for the slip usually wrapped in
with the purchase. Now and then
she took out a list Of what she had to.
buy and, checking one thing off after
another, felt exultant at her wonder
full progress. She was about to make
the last Of her purchases, when she
felt a hand close rather suddenly
upon her arm. She turned a startled
face, and saw a man standing be-
side her.
Don't create a disturbance, he
said, in a low tone, 'but come quiet
ly with me to the Office. 1t is the
better way"
For a moment Constance looked
about her. Then she fixed her eyes
upon the man.
81 do not understand" she began.
''There is evidently a mistake some
where. Why do you wish me to go
to the office 2"
"Come," the man said; "you know
why. There is but one reason for
asking you to go there and he
looked down at the well-fDed bag
she carried.
"And you will kindly apprise me
Of hat one reason?" Constance drew
up her mead superbIy.
Certainly. You are to come to
the office to be searched. You are
apprehended as a-a-shoplifter."
Constance Beverly snapped her
lips together. A look of disdain set
tied upon her face.
But the next moment she collapsed
at the thought Of what her handbag
contained-unwrapped articles, put
in topsy-turyy, and without the
usual slips made out by the clerks,
Of course she could attempt to ex-
plain. But she know how useless
anything like that would be under
the circumstances. She began to
think of other things she might do,
and through this grew somewhat
dazed. In the end but one thing re-
manned in her mind-and that was
to escape from the man beside her.
All about her was hustle. The
store held a perfect jam Of people.
They were turning here and there,
elbowing their way through. Flight,
Constance thought, was plausible in
that throng. But what of the sleuth
beside her? Could she escape him.
"Come, it is time we started"
"Would it be of any use to tell YOU
that l am Constance Beverly, daugh,
ter of Col. John Beverly ?" she asked
Yesterday 1 caught one who said
she was the daughter of the mayor
was all he said.
"And | suppose it would be quite
as useless, then, to tell you thai
everything | have in this bag is paid
for?" she further questioned.
Madam, | myself say you put
some handkerchiefs into that bag
he declared. cit is the custom Of
this store to wrap up all sales. ThosC
handkerchief had no paper around
them"
Constance tried to explain. 1t wa,
all quite useless.
So occupied was she in trying t.
devise some plan whereby to eludt
him who held her captive that al
other thoughts fled from her mind
She had slowly worked her way W
to the front of the store in the hops
Of making a wild dash for the street
should an opportune moment pre-.
sent itself. But the man followed
her closely. He saw her tactics, ant
began to lose patience. He now
spoke more roughly to her, threaten.
ing to force her through the store
and into the Office to be searched. Al
this Constance glowed with anger
Her eyes were like live Goals. Now
more than ever, were her hopes SCI
on frustrating him.
Suddenly a strange light cam,
into her eyes, She had leaned bacl
and her hand had come in contac
with a heavy curtain which hum
49, 4as a.