The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1880-04-14

paper and kathle could no longer
watch bis hands.
Then Kathie's thoughts slipped
into a more agreeable channel.
She thought Of the Christmas
gifts she was going to buy, and
Of the other shopping she was
going to do? It was her first trip
to Boston quite alone. Aunt
Kate bad always been with her
before, to take care Of her and
help her to select Christmas gifts,
but this year Aunt Hates rheuma-
tism was so much worse than
usual that she did not hope to be
equal to a trip to Boston for the
winter and as it was already
nearing Christmas, there was
nothing to be done but to let
Kathie 60 alone. And so it came
about that Kathie, feeling quite
old and responsible, was on her
way, this bright December morn
ing, to the city. She mentally
planned her days work, and por-
toned out her money for the va
rious things she was intending to
buy. There was the book for her
Sunday school teacher, the she'll
comb for Aunt Kate, the engrav-
ing for Cousin Will, that must be
especially fine and nicely framed,
since it was to do double duty as
Christmas and wedding gift.
Should it be copy of some GEL
ebrated old picture, or some at
tractive group, tull of modern life
and interest While Kathle was
trying to decide this question,
and was reviewing with her
minds eyes, all the finest and
most beautiful engravings that
she had ever seen, the train swept
into the tunnel.
As it grew dark the gentleman
beside her put down his paper,
turning slightly towards Kathie
as be did so. And then Kathie
was sure she felt stealthly mo-
ton towards her cloak pocket.
Quick as thought her hand went
down to seize her purse, when
oh, horrors There was the mans
hand in her pocketl katbie did
not withdraw her hand on the
contrary, being resolved to pro-
tect her property at all hazards,
she felt about with her fingers as
we'll as she could for her purse,
but could not find it. It was al
ready gone. Then Kathie seized
the intruding hand with the firm
ness of desperation, fully deter
mined to make an alarm as soon
as the cars emerged into day
light again. If he did not have
the purse in his hand, there at
least was his hand in her pocket,
and some Of the passengers would
see her righted and her purse re-
stored. Fortunately her purse had
her name printed on the inside.
How long the minutes seemed
before the train came out into
light! Then Kathie still grasp
ing firmly the mans hand, looked
up and down the aisle, with
sparkling eyes and flushed cheek,
for the conductor.
4 beg your pardon said her
captive in a low tone that kathie
could scarcely catch the words,
but haze you not made a mistake IN
the pocket2 g
Katbie gave one swift glance.
Good heavens! Her hand was in
his pocket If she had touched a
burning coal she could not have
relinquished her hold and with
drawn her hand more promptly.
She was overcome with confusion.
She ventured one deprecatory
glance at the gentleman. His ex-
pressive face wore a mischievous
smile.
4 thou-'began Kathie tre-
mulously, but she could get no
further. The revulsion Of feeling
was too great. The brightness of
her eyes was suddenly quenched
by gathering tears, and her lip
quivered ominously.
That it was your pocket, of
course said the gentleman, COM
pleting her sentence. 4 under
stand perfectly. Pray do not let
the mistake disturb you, be con-
tiuued, with impIoring earnest
ness.
In the midst Of her distress
Kathie could not help thinking