The San Francisco call., 1913-09-11

/ While before his features had been
set grimly, while his eyes had flashed
wrathfully, there was now only an
noyance over an event markedly un-
fortunate.
How extremely awkward" he
cried: and there was a very real con-
cern in his voice He regarded Smith
son kindly, whereat that rather pulling
gentleman once again assumed his
martial bearing. You were quite
right in coming to ne. For a
moment hs was silent. plunged
in thought. Finally he spoke with the
decislveness characteristic Of him. "Of
course, there's nothing we can do.
Just put the stuff back on the coun-
ter. and let her GO.
But Smitnson had not yet wholly
unburdened himself. Instead of i'm
mediately leaving the room in pur-
suance of the succinct instructions
given him, he again cleared his throat
nervously, and made known a further
aggravating factor in the situation.
shes very angry Mr.. Glider" he
announced timidly,' 'tshe, er-she
demands an-er-an apology"
The owner Of the store half rose
from his chair, then threw himself
back with an exclamation of disgust.
He again calculated the words with
which he had greeted his sons unex-
pected kisses, but now there was a
vast difference in the intonation.
God bless my soulr' he cried. From
his expression, 1t was clear that a
pious aspiration was farthest from
his thought On the contrary Again,
he fell silent. considering the situa-
ton which Smithson had presented,
and, as he reflected. his frown be-
trayed the emotion natural enough
under the circumstances. At last.
however, he mastered his irritation
to some degree, and spoke his COM
mand briefly. "Well, Smithson, apol-
ogize to her It can't be helped, ="
Then his face lighted with sar-
donic amusement. And. Snithson,
he went on with a sort Of elephan-
tine playfulness II shall take 1t as
a personal favor If you win tactfully
advise the lady that the goods at
Altman and Stern's are really even
finer than ours.
When smithson had left the office,
Glider turned to his secretary.
Take this he directed, and he
forthwith dictated the following letter
to the husband Of the lady who was
not a thief, as Smithson had 80 pains
takingly pointed out:
"J. w. Gaskell. Esq, Central
National Bank, New York--My
Dear Mr.. Gaskell: / feel that |
should be doing less than my duty
as a man II ! did not let you know
at once that Mrs. Gaskell is in
urgent need Of medical attention.
She came into our store today,
and
He paused for a moment. No put
II this way" he said finally:
1--WE found her wandering about
our store today in a very nervous
condition. In her excitement she
carried away about one hundred
dollars worth OF rare laces. Not
recognizing her, our store detect
i've detained her for short time.
Fortunately for US all. Mrs. Gas
kell was able TO explain who she
was, and she has Just gone TO her
home Hoping for Mrs Gaskells
speedy recovery. and with all
good wishes. l am,
Yours very truly"
Yet. though he had completed the
letter, Glider did not at once take up
another detail Of his business. In
stead, he remained plunged in
thought. and now his frown was one
of simple bewilderment A number of
minutes passed before he spoke, and
then his words revealed distinctly
what had been his train of medita-
ton.
sadie" he said in a voice OF en-
tire sincerity, II can't understand
theft IT'S thing absolutely beyond
my comprehension"
On the heels OF this ingenious dec
laration. Smithson entered the Office.
and that excellent gentleman APP
peared even more perturbed than be-
fore
What on earth is the matter now?''
| Glider spluttered. suspiciously
TITS Mrs. Gaskell still,'' Smithson
replied in great trepidation She
wants you personally. Mr.. Glider to
apologize to her, She says that the
action taken against her is an OUT
rage, and she is not satisfied with
the apologies OF all the rest of us.
She says you must make one. too,