The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-08
Euening Story
Marry a ShOplifter?

Bob Jacobs felt that he Would make
an excellent laundryman. He had al
ways thought himself a pretty fair
sleuth, but since the Elston company
took him away from the jenkins
agency, he had not been a huge sue
cess.
Almost with the beginning of Bob's
services at the store the thieving
started. That was four weeks ago,
and it seemed that the shoplifter was
becoming holder. More and more ar
| ticles were being missed, some of
| them useless trinkets but all repre-
senting a commercial value.
Finally Mr.. E1ston called Bob into
his private office and asked him how
about it.
You've been with us about
month, Mr.. Jacobs" said the2puoprie
tor, and for about the same length of
time, systematic shoplifting has been
going on. Before we engaged a de-
tective 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 a house detective, and that was
the reason we hired you. Now, this
thing cannot last. 1 have here a fair
~ comprehensive list of the articles
stolen, and the aggregate of value is
quite impressive. The articles cover
broad scope; for instance. here is a
accent rag doll, SO vase, 2-cent
whistle and mans necktie.
I've done my best" retorted Bob,
But I'll keep at it. 1, too, have
list, and I've been studying it. There
is such wide variety of articles taken
| that they offer absolutely no clue. If
L do not catch the culprit within
week 1 shall tender my resignation"
! Bob left the office and in a brown
study walked into the notion depart
ment. His mind was SO preoccupied
that he almost ran into his sister Ha-
oil nj !, ic
Were shopping" Hazel told him,
'in preparation for the hard times
party. Most of the girls from school
are going"
They were both pretty young ladies,
altho of distinctly different types.
in becoming black; while Clara was a
pronounced brunette and was CARRIED
in blue, carrying a parasol to match.
The girls were school chums, attend
ing Clayton college. located in a city
100 miles distant. They were home
for the summer vacation. which start
ed a 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. He had a good MEM
DRY for faces. and yet he could not
recall seeing any one person in the
store sufficient number of times to
arouse suspicion except, of course,
his own sister, who frequently dropped
in to see him in company with Clara,
and Mr.. Elston's daughter, who called
for her father every evening and drove
him home.
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
neared the western horizon, but
Clara's parasol was not in use.
Aren't you afraid you'll blister your
faee?" Bob inquired.
No" she laughed. II want a good
tan. just carry the parasel for
looks; it matches my dress"
Bob went into the house and sat in
the living room, smoking pipe while
ne continued his eogitations.
OF a sudden he bounded from his
chair and crossed the room, picking
up an object that reposed in q corner
behind a floor lamp. 1t was q rag
| doll.
"Good heavens!'t he exclaimed.
| standing and staring at the doll in his
hands. ITO think I should come
across the first clue in my own heme!"
| He replaced the doll in the corner,
| and when his sister came home he
asked her about it.
"Oh, that" she laughed, lis a pres
ent from clara-for the hard times
That started Bob on a trend of
thought that was decidedly displeas-
Ing. 1t could not be that Clara was
the shophfter, and yeti looked bad.
The next day Bob came across Ha-
gel and Clara at one of the lace coun-
tiers. They were talking to Esther
Eiston, who also attended Clayton COL
| iege.. They introduced Bob, and after
remarking about the excellent wealth
er Miss Elstop moved away.
The two girls were again at the ia
| cobS home that evening when Bob
arrived. They were making costumes
| for the hard times party. Shortly aft
| er Bob's arrival Clara prepared to
leave and Bob offered to drive her
/ home in his runabout.
Bob loved fresh air and sunshine,
and except when it rained he kept the
| top of the car down. The sun was
/ shining with unusual intensity for so
late in the day and he offered to raise
the top for Clara's benefit.
ITS not necessary" she said. 'I
can use the parasol. I'm afraid I will
get blistered If I don't have some
| shade"
| She opened the object in question.
| and as she did so something fluttered
picked it up and handed it to her with
a sinking heart. 1t was a piece of
lace.
why, where did that come from %
Clara exclaimed in evident surprise.
Looks like some of Elston's GOODS
commented Bob stepping on the
starter.
I'm sure I didn't buy It," declared
! Clara. ut must have dropped in
when 1 was at the store today"
But Bob was convinced. and all
night he tossed and tumbIed in his
bed, his brain in a turmoil. He loved
Clara and they were to be married in
the fall, but this horrifying discovery
was enough to daunt any man on the
matrimonial brink. Marry a shoplifter!
Impossible!
He was in a trance all the next day,
Caught between conflicting emotions.
Love was arrayed against duty-to
himself and to his employer. He must
reveal the shoplifter; it was what he
was paid for, and surely he could not
marry the girl in the face of such pub