Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-09-10
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
Marry Shoplifter?
Nv r. RAY BAKER

AS department. SJOTe ucteCtiNe' pop
Jacobs felt that he would make an ex-
thought himself pretty fair sleuth.
but since the Elston Company took
him away from the jenkins agency, he
had not been huge success.
Almost with the beginning of Bob 8
services at the store the thicving started.
That was four weeks ago. and it seemed
TINT the shoplifter was becoming bolder.
Finally Mr.. Elston called Bob into
his private Office and asked him how
about it.
You've been with us about n month.
Mr.. Jacobs" said the proprietor, land
for about the yame length of time sys-
tematic shoplifting has been going on.
Before we engaged a detective we had
no trouble with thieves, but now that
we have one the shoplifters get busy.
We thought it was the proper, up-to-
date thing to have house detective,
and that was the reason we hired you.
Now, this thing cannot last. l have
here fairly comprehensive list Of the
articles stolen, and the aggregate Of
value is quite impressive. The articles
cover a broad scope; for instance, here
is a twenty five cent rag doll, 81
vase. two-cent whistle and a man s
necktie.'
1--WE done my best" retorted Bob,
but I'll keep at it. i. too. have n
list. and I've been studying it. There
is such wide variety of articles taken
that they offer absolutely no clue. II
/ do not catch the culprit within n
week I shall tender my resignation"
Bob left the Office and in n brown
study walked into the notion depart
ment. His mind was SO preoccupied
that he almost ran into his sister Hazel
and his fiancee. Clara Summers.
We're shopping Hazel told him,
''in preparation for the hard times
are going
They were both pretty young ladies,
although of distinctly different types.
Hazel was a blonde and she dressed in
becoming black: while Clara was Il
pronounced brunette and was garbed
in blue. carrying q parasol to match.
The girls were school chums, attending
Clayton College. located in city 100
miles distant. They were home for the
summer vacation, which started month
ago.
After exchanging a few pleasantries
with the house detective the girls left
the store and Bob returned to his
problem. Somehow he must catch this
shoplifter.
No solution had presented itself
| when Bob left the store that evening
for his home. His mind continued to
dwell on the subject until he arrived
at the front gate. where he met Hazel
and Clara coming out of the house.
The sun was shining brightly as it
ncared the western horizon, but Clara s
parasol was not in use.
Aren't you afraid you'll blister your
face?" Bob inquired
mo" she laughed. II want n good
tan. l just carry the parasol for
looks 1t matches my Dress
Bob went into the house and sat in
the living room, smoking a pipe while
he continued his cogitations.
OF sudden he bounded from his
chair and crossed the room, picking up
an object that reposed IN corner be-
hind floor lamp. 1t was a rag doll.
Good heavcns!" he exclaimed,
standing and staring at the doll in his
hands. ITO think should come across
the first clue In my own home" lie
replaced the doll in the corner, and
when his sister came home he asked
her about il.
"Oh, that she laughed, ''is a pres
ent from Clara-for the hard times
party"
That started Bob on trend of
thought that was decidedly displeasing.
1t could not be that Clara was the
shoplifter, and yet-tit looked bad.
The next day Bob came across Hazel
and Clara at one Of the lace counters.
They were talking to Esther Elston,
who also attended Clayton College.
They introduced Bob. and after re-
marking about the excellent weather
Miss Elston moved away.
Tho two girls were again at the
Jacobs home that evening when Bob
arrived. They were making costumes
for the hard times party. Shortly after
Rob's arrival Clara prepared to leave
and Bob offered to drive her home in
his runabout.
Bob loved fresh air and sunshine,