Evening star., 1924-03-30


w good night to her two de-
parting helpers with the
sanity calm Of II blind man who
senses the stealthy entry OF thieving
fingers into his extended cup-and
smiles Then with weary sigh she
closed and locked the front door of
Bigburgs newest and smarteSt cos
tume shop. Through the closed door,
the carc-frce chatter of the two
dr.ftAd back TO her. the contralto
laughter OF Miss Mercedes O'Brien
and the answering giggle of Miss
Marianne Schultz; both as lifting and
Joyous as if their pay envelopes were
rightly come by--earned.
Carc-free. Joyous, Earned.
With nervous shudder Miss Glaub
leaned back against the heavy door
and gazed into the interior OF the
shop with eyes that mirrored neither
pride nor happiness. Ahead, IN the
dusk, fun length mirror threw
back the sheen Of her black silk
gown and the crow blue CLINT in her
piied-up hair. But no half light
could soften or conceal the contempt
which suddenly blaZed into being as
the two stared. one at the other.
You poor littlefish." Kissed the one
Possessed of the power of speech.
When have you been able to laugh
like that? When have you been able
TO go out of door like that with
a nice little pay envelope and moth
ing to worry about but getting down
in the morning a half hour late ?
When, / ask you?"
Silence.
Miss Glaub shifted plaintiye1y.
six months ago you were what %
she demanded. THE best-pai buyer
IN dresses an blouses in the town
Nothing to worry about! Successful,
What are you now?-with a continu-
alton Of the sniff1e. THE proprietor
of smart shop that amt smart
enough to make money. And every
thing in the world to worry about.
Rent! Advertising! Poor help.
Rotten business! Cold spring. Mort
cages! Interestw
The room echoed her lament.
The letter on the desk caught her
eye, and she read it again.
Dear Miss Glaub:
We have considered very care
fully your letter of Thursday last.
There is no question in our minds
OF your merchandising ability. Your
past history carries with it nothing
but success" (B1ss Glaub shifted. }
Neither do we doubt your ability to
put your new enterprise over with
unlimited success. We also are agreed
that it would be desirable to have a
retail outlet in your wonderful city,
Miss Glau6 shifted again) for our
merchandise.
However, we do not feel justified,
because of the unsettled conditions
now existing in retail lines, in max
ing any further extensions along
financial lines. We therefore must
decline. most regretfully, your kind
offer of partnership.
please accept our best wishes for
your continued success and the per-
sonal regards of both Mr.. August
and myself.
Sincerely yours"
NATHAN ROSEWATER"
x x x
MISS Glaub rolled the letter into an
angry ball and thrust it from
her. Friends! Her head sank slowly
to the table before her. Softly she
began to cry.
Good evening, Cutie"
Miss Glaub aroused herself with a
start. Her wet eyes blurred the fig
ure standing in the doorway leading
from the fitting room. She wiped
them nervously. 1t was dark in the
room, and suddenly cold Straining.
figure of a man. Something loose and
white was twisted about the upper
part Of his face, and his right hand
fondled something that glittered omi-
nously. For the first time in her
varied career Miss Glaub found her
self voiceless. A frightened cry of
inquiry strangled itself half uttered.
Nothing like that, Cutie" the
voice advised calmly.
'What-what do you want"
The man laughed. What do you
suppose, Cutter he inquired lightly.
"A game of dominoes?'
Miss Glaub decided that he was a
young man-and the thing which was
twisted about the upper part of his
face was a piece of white silk from
the fitting room. The muscles which
had contracted about her heart loos-
ened slightly.
"What-what do you wantr' she
repeated DULY.
He advanced slowly into the room.
Miss Glaub shrank back with a shud-
der. The thing that had glittered in
the doorway was an ugly, snub-nosed
revolver.
What are you. Cutie-Adeie her
self. or just part of the hired help?''
'T am Miss Glaub."
miss Inc, herself, eh?"
Miss Giaub nodded.
81 wouldn't have believed it, Cutie"
Still gasping with terror, Miss
Glaub was still a woman.
'"Whyr
TOO young an pretty-an' sor-
rowful. What's the matter, Cutter
my name ain't-isn't Cutie"
"Sure thing" the muffied figure
agreed. Anything you say, sister
But let's get down to business"
What business?"
THAR The barrel of the gun
turned in the direction of the safe.
oh" said Miss Glaub. Tit isn't
worth the trouble"
Suppose we take look-eh, Sis
teri"
You dirty brute!" she cried. "You
great big hulking thief! Picking
on a poor defenseless woman. You
you"
The gun came UP with a jerk.
The ugly snout stared straight into
her eyes. With a whimper of terror
bliss Giaub collapsed into the chair