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Page 77
Constance's attention was recalled by the man who beckoned her aside
to talk to the salesgirl 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 a moment.
"I 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--I'll not appear to press the charge
--I'll make it as hard as I can before I'll do it," she added
positively.
The woman, who had overheard, looked her gratitude. The detectives
were preparing to argue. Constance hardly knew what she was saying,
as she hurried on before any one else could speak.
"No," she added, "but I'll tell you what I will do. If you will let
her go I will look after her. Parole her, unofficially, with me."
Constance drew a card from her case and handed it to the detective.
He read it carefully, and a puzzled look came over his face. "Charge
account--good customer--pays promptly," he muttered under his
breath.
For a moment he hesitated. 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 a pen.
"Sign here," he said brusquely.
Constance bent over and read. It was a form of release:
"I, Kitty Carr, residing at--East --th Street, single, age twenty-
seven years, in consideration of the sum of One Dollar, hereby admit
taking the following property... without having paid therefor and
with intent not to pay therefor, and by reason of the withdrawal of
the complaint of larceny, OF WHICH I AM GUILTY, I hereby remise,
release, and forever discharge the said Stacy Co. or its
representatives from any claims, action, or causes of action which I
may have against the Stacy Co. or its representatives or agents by
reason of the withdrawal of said charge of larceny and failure to
prosecute."
"Signed, Kitty Carr."
"Now, Kitty," soothed Constance, as the trembling signature was
blotted and added to a photograph which had quietly been taken,
"they are going to let you go this time--with me. Come, straighten
your hat, wipe your eyes. You must take me home with you--where we
can have a nice long talk. Remember, I am your friend."
On the way uptown and across the city the girl managed to tell most
of her history. She came from a family of means in another city. Her
father was dead, but her mother and a brother were living. She
herself had a small annuity, sufficient to live on modestly, and had
come to New York seeking a career as an artist. Her story, her
ambitions appealed to Constance, who had been somewhat of an artist
herself and recognized even in talking to the girl that she was not
without some ability.
Then, too, she found that Kitty actually lived, as she had said, in
a cozy little kitchenette apartment with two friends, a man and his
wife, both of whom happened to be out when they arrived. As
Constance looked about she could see clearly that there was indeed
no adequate reason why the girl should steal.
"How do you feel?" asked Constance when the girl had sunk half
exhausted on a couch in the living room.
"Oh, so nervous," she replied, pressing her hands to the back of her
head, "and I have a terrible headache, although it is a little
better now."
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