Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-07-16

restored. Fortunately, her purse had her
name on the outside. How long the minutes
seemed before the train came out into light.
Then Katie, still grasping firmly the mans
hand, looked up and down the aisle, with
sparkling eyes and flushed cheek, for the
conductor.
IL beg your pardon" said her captive in
low tone that Katie could scarcely catch
the words, "but have you not made a mis-
take in the pocketf"
Katie gave one swift glance. Good heavens
her hand was in his pocket If she had
touched burning coal she could not have
relinquished her hold and withdrawn her
hand more promptly. She was overcome
with confusion. She ventured one depreca-
tory glance at the gentleman. His expires.
siye face wore mischievous smile.
81 thought" began Katie TREMENDOUSLY,
but she could get no farther. The revul-
sion of feeling was too great. The bright
ness of her eyes was suddenly quenched
by gathering tears, and her lips quivered
omniously.
"rhat it was your pocket, Of course" said
the gentleman, completing her sentence, al
understand perfectly. Pray do not let the
mistake disturb you" he continued with
imploring emphasis.
In the midst of her distress, Katie could
not help thinking how musical his voice
was. Then, with much tact, he took up bis
paper and devoted himself with great as
siduity to reading an article, which, if Katie
had but known it, he had read twice al
ready since she sat. beside him, without
knowing in the least what it was about.
Katie became outwardly composed after
awhile, but her mind was still in tumult.
Suppose he had turned the table upon her,
and denounce her as a pickpocket as he
might have done. She shivered at the
thought of it.
Once or twice as they neared the city, the
gentleman glanced at her as if he would
speak, but Katies resolutely averted face
and downcast eyes gave him no opportu-
nifty, and not another word was spoken
until they reached the station, when he left
her with courteous bow and good morning.
Hateful thing" said Katie to herself, 81
hope shall never see him again. and then
she watched him with admiring eyes, ms
long as she could distinguish his form in the
hurrying crowd.
Her purse, il is scarcely necessary to say,
was safe in her pocket, and she soon set
about diminishing its contents. Notwith-
standing the inauspicious beginning of her
trip, her day proved quite successful and
satisfactory. Her own errands and her aunt
Hates commissions were all executed and
there was still half hour to spare for call
at cousin Wills office, and when the time
drew near for her train to leave he escorted
her to the station. The train was in readi-
ness when they arrived, and, as they walked
along to reach the right car, a form approach
ed them from side entrance, a glance at
which sent thrill through Katie's veins and
the hot blood TO her cheeks and brow.
"Ah here's Harry Thorn, going down on
your train, Katie" said her cousin.
"He will be agreeable company for you,
and will sec to your parcels" and then, be-
fore Katie was at all prepared for it, came
the inevitable introduction.
Katie could hardly force herself 10 meet
the glance of the mischievous dark eyes
bent upon her, or to touch the proffered
hand. 1t was utterly impossible for her to
speak word, but the gentleman talked on
till viii left them at the entrance of the car.
"You will take the seat by the window
this time" said Mr.. Thorn, and Katie Vi.
lently accepted the profered seat.
After he had arranged her parcels in the
rack, and seated himself, Katie remarked,
with frank smile, ~ had really hoped that
! should never see you again"
"Did you think deserved eternal Danish
ment?' he asked lightly.
"Oh, no! 1t was rather who merited it,"
said Katie, $50 long as you did not know
me, il did not matter what you thought of
me, but now"-ah, where were Kate's
words leading her Y--"but now, If you should
tell cousin" she continued logically, "he
would tease me numerically, and | should
never again hear the end Of H."
~ assure you" was the earnest answer,
that will never mention the mistake 10
which you refer 10 any one else. No one
besides ourselves will ever know aught of II.
And then he skillfully turned the converse
ton, and Katie was soon at her ease, and
they were conversing like two very init
mate friends.
That mempFahle dd0 through the tunnel
occurred some years ago, and Katies rela-
tons with Mr. Thorn have changed 30
greatly that now, instead Of suspecting him
Of taking her money, she appropriates with
GOODNESS, funds from his pockct.book for her
Christmas shopping.
Mr. Thorn sometimes laughngly declares
that instead Of his wife waiting for him 10
offer his hand, as ladies usually do, took
possession OF il the first time she ever saw
him. but his most intimate friends ask for
nm explanation Of this Joke In vain.