The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-08-08
MIR. TAYLOR EXPLAINS
Lar
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

store was just 1nSlUe ouo VI eno AA
entrances This kingdom was supoi-
vided into special realms and over
each principality reigned a princess
in black dress, white collar and cuffs.
Never was royalty more becomingly
adorned, for Max Bluming, floor man
ager. knew what he was doing when
he picked the prettiest girls in the
store for this point of vantage.
May Marshall, a tall blonde, had
charge of the Jet goods. Then-and
here the manager had undeniably
shown his ability as an artist-there
was the counter for displaying jew
els, for % cent bead strings to two
carat, first-water diamonds, and right
behind the racks of pearls and trays
Of rhinestones stood Mary Webster, as
wholesome, sweet and fresh as May
morning.
Mary was-well, she was just Mary.
You looked at her and loved her.
Good morning, Miss Webster!'
Somehow he had learned her name,
although Mary had no idea of his. She
nodded brightly, however.
The man passed up the aisle and
disappeared. Evidently he had some
thing to do with the store, but he was
not salesman, for his hours were
different from the others. Mary. still
smiling, was suddenly unpleasantly
aware that Mr.. Bluming was at the
end of the aisle and that he was
watching her.
1T seems to me- she said indig-
nantly. that / can't breathe any more
without that man seeing 1t. He's al
ways looking at me-" She shivered
InvolUntarily. One thing sure, IL he
stays around here talking like he did
yesterday and inviting me to dinner,
am going to ask to be changed up
stairs. Very good looking that young
man was and he has nice eyes and
:eeth." She smiled at the memory, but
was suddenly sobered by the appear
ance of the floor manager just across
the counter.
Good morning, Miss Mary. Did your
mirror tell you how pretty you look
today? There's a little curl resting
ever so lightly on your cheek that
would like to kissi"
Mary kept busily at her busting.
Where shall l put these new
brooches, Mr.. Bluming? Would you
. suggest a background of blue velvet in
|: the case?"
. But he mistook the flush of annoy
: ance for one Of pleasure and, disre-
. h
ing is lost art, Miss Mary. It's very
; becoming to you By the way, aren't
!: you sorry you turned down my invi-
: tation last night? But there's always
!: another day. and I'm not the kind that
: takes offense easily. How about to-
! night?"
!: 1--we another engagement"
: He regarded her steadily. Il don't
:: believe you know another soul in this
!: town.. he said slowly, deliberately.
J: You haven't another engagement"
:: Haven't l." she flashed. You know
nothing about me. l may be engaged
!: to be married for all you know, MIR.
: Bluming."
Or. Bluming was silent an instant
): and his smile disappeared. Then he
!: laughed easily, 4 don't believe it,
!: But he walked away and left Mary
!: in momentary peace.
That night, after thinking things
!: over, Mary decided to do something.
!: Il must do something to convince
!: that man that THAT there is some
!: body who cares for me. And 1t can't
!: do any harm. | can put it back at
/: closing time every night"
/: So the next morning, while arrang
:: ing her wares, Mary took from its
!: place in the tray a solitaire diamond
]: of carat weight and skipped it onto the
!: third finger of her left hand.
I: Good morning, Miss Webster!
!: Mary hastily covered her hand and re
:: turned the greeting. 1t was the mar
!: with the nice eyes.
: Mr. Bluming drew near Mary has
tily turned the stone into view.
Well, Miss Mary, good morning
Another day gone. Ell? Well, there's
always one coming. That's my motto!'
The diamond caught his eye. "Wher,
did you get that" he asked.
Il told you that perhaps / wal
engaged"
Well, l don't believe it." His eye'
II glittered. What if I'd say l knew
II whore you got it, because l saw yo'
II take it? Maybe you'll think bette
II now about dinner If the manage
II mcnt knew'-he stopped.
II Mary waited, white to the lips.
II will you Gomez"
II Mo-"
II Then" he turned. Charlie, g,
II ask Mr.. Taylor to come here, please.
Il I've sent for the store detective,
he explained Its not too late yet.
IL Mary was silent.
II Then down the aisle came the youn
man with the nice yees.
II You sent for me?" to Bluming.
H Yes" And the floor manager 81
H planned Mary's crime to the store de
/ tective while Mary stood as white an
III StilI &C q ctatua nP uhita rnarhia