The Pensacola journal., 1917-08-14


problem. Now most of the stores are |
working together for their common |
interests. seeing what they can do to |
root them out. We keep a sort OF |
private rogue's gallery of them But
we don't seem to have anything on
this girl, nor have any Of the other |
stores who exchange photographs and |
information with us anything on her"
Evidently. then. it Is ner first Of
fense." put in Constance, wondering
at herself. Strangly. she felt more Of
sympathy than OF anger for the girl.
You mean the first time she has
been caught at it." corrected the head |
OF the store detectives.
TT is my weakness" sobbed the girl.
Sometimes an Irresistible impulse to
steal comes over me. just can't help
it."
She was sobbing convulsively. Asl
she talked and listened there seemed
to come a complete breakdown. She
wept as thought her heart would break,
oh" exclaimed the man" can 1t!
Cut out the sob stuff"
And yet" unused Constance half to
herself. watching the girl closely,
when one walks through the shops
and see thousands OF dollars worth
of goods lying unprotected on 1.-THE
counters, is it any wonder that some
poor woman or girl should be tempted
and fall There, before her eyes and
within her grasp, lies the very article
above all others which she so srdently
Graves. No one Is looking. The sales
girl Is busy with another customer.
The rest is easy. And then the store
detective steps in-and here she is
captured"
The girl had been listening wildly
through her tears. Oh" she sobbed.
you don't understand-none of you. I
don't crave anything. II 5ust-can't
hate the stuff-and I am so-afraid.
hurry home-and I-oh. what shall
do-what shall I do?''
Constance pitied her deeply. She
looked from the wild eyed. tear-stained
face to the miscellaneous pile of ma
gaze Of the store detectives. True, the
girl had taken a very valuable diamond
ring. and from herself. But the Iaces,
| the trinkets. all were abominably
cheap. not worth risking anything for.
Constance's attention was recalled by
the man who beckoned her aside to
talk TO the sRlesgirl who had waited on
her.
| You remember seeing this lady at
the counter" he asked Of the girl She
nodded. And that woman in there -
he motioned. Again the salesgirl
nodded.
DO you remember anything else
that happened~' he asked Constance as
they faced Kitty Carr and he handed
Constance the ring.
Constance looked the detective
sQuarely in the face for moment
Il have my ring. You have the
other stuff" she murmured. Besides
there is no record against her. She
doesn't even look like a professional
bad character. No-rn not appear to
press the charse-rn make it as hard
as can before I'll do It," she added
positively.
The woman. who had overheard
looked her gratitude. The detectives
were preparing to argue. Constance
she hurried on before any one else
could speak
4 No" she added" but I'll tell you
what will do. II you will let her &C
I will look after her. Parole her. un-
officially. with me-"
Constance drew . card from her case
and handed II to the detective. He read
It carefully. and a puzzled look came
over his face. Charge account-goot
customer-pays promptly" he NUT.
tered under his breath.
For a moment he hesitatsd. Then he
sat down at a desk.
Mrs. Dunlap" he said. I'll do it."
He pulled a piece OF printed paper
from the desk. filled in a few blanks
then turned to Kitty Carr, handing
her pen.
Sign here" he said brusquely
Constance bent over and read. Il
was q form OF release:
i II. Kitty Carr. residing at-East-tt
Street. single. age twenty-seven years
in consideration of the sum OF One Dol.
/ lar. hereby admit taking the follow
| ing property. without having paiC
therefor and with intent not to pa!
therefore, and by reason OF the with
drawal of the complaint OF larceny, OF
WHICH I AM GUILTY. I hereby re-
mise, release, and forever discharg'
the Stacy Co. or its representative!
from any claims. action. or causes o
action which I may have against tn,
: stacy Co. or its representatives ol
agents by reason of the withdrawal o
said charge OF larceny and failure tC
prosecute.
Signed. Kitty Carr"
Now. Kitty" soothed Constance. al
, the trembling signature was blotteC
and added to a photograph which hRC
quietly been taken. they are going Il
let you go this tims-with me. Come
straighten your hat. wipe your eyes
You must take me home with YOU
where we can have a nice long talk
i Remember. I am your friend"
. On the way uptown and acFoss tht
IL ~ ~ -