The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1880-03-16
THROUGH THE TUNNEL.

II was bright, clear, cold morning
in early December. When kathie
entered the car there was scarcely
vacant seat 10 be seen. To he sure
there was one stout old gentleman
sitting alone, but he was next to the
aisle and seemed so deeply absorbed
in thought that Kathie di>lIked TO
disturb him. Then there was
middle aged woman, but she had
numberIess wraps and parcels IN the
seat beside her. and her appearance,
take her all in ali. was so forbidding
A she looked tixedlv out OF the
window. that kathie passed her by.
There was but one more seat IN
occnpied. 1t Was beside a gentleman
who sat close TO the window reading
paper.
is this seat engaged :" asked
kathie with timid hesitancy.
...t is not" was the answer IN a
pIeasant tone ..but," springing up
as he spoke, would You prefer the
seat by the Window
"Oh, no Thank you I. Not al
aIw murmured kathie, and she
sat down beside him.
The gentleman TUNED his attention
again to his paper, and kathie imme.
,liately fell into wishing that she ha'!
taken the seat by the window. For
the gentleman sat at her right hand,
and her purse was in her cloak pocket,
and had not Aunt Kate warned her
over and over again to be on her guard
agains, pickpockets, and declared that
they were quite as likely to be young.
agreeable and polite as the reverse
And was not this person all three !
Kathie stole a shy glance at him.
His dark ewes We're intently fixed ON
his newspaper. He was fine looking
and well dressed, and to all intenfs
Iouite oblivious of her existence.
kathie wondered demurely what sort
of an expression his face would wear
if he knew that any one thought that
he might perhaps be pickpocket:
She might take her purse and hold
il in her hands. but that would seem
ostentatious aid tiresome moreover
there would be ample time for thai
when The gentleman-he looked like
a gentleman certainly-should put
down his paper and Kathie could NJ
longer watch his hands.
Then kathie's thoughts slipped into
more agreeable channel. She
thought of the Christmas gifts sht
{ was going to buy. and of the shopping
she was going to 10. 1t was her hrs
"trip To Boston quite alone. Aun
Kate had always been with her before
! to take care of her and help her t.
select Christmas gifts, hut this veal
Aunt kate's Rheumatism was so much
, worse than usual that she did no
: hope to be equal to trip to Bostor
/ for the winter and as it was already
: nearing Christmas, there was nothing
: to be done but TO let kathie go alone
, And 80 il came about that kathle
: feeling quite Old and responsible. wa
: on her way, this bright Decembe
] morning, 10 the city. She mental.
t planned her days work, and portionet
: out her money for the various thing
she was intending To buy. Their
was the book for her Sunday schOo
teacher, the shell comb for Aunt Kate
the engraving for cousin Will. tina
must be especially fine and NIGEL!
framed, since it was to do double dut!
, as Christmas and wedding gift
Should it be copy of some celebrates
old picture. or some attractive group
: full of modern life and interest
2 While kathie was trying to decid
, this question, and was reviewing will
her minds eve, all the finest ant
e most beautiful engravings that sh
: had ever seen, the tram swept int
e the tunnel.
D As it grew dark the gentleman
a beside her put down his paper, turn
ing slightly towards Kathie as h
did so. Aud then kathie was sur
she felt a stealthy motion toward
J. her cloak pocket. Quick as though
If her hand went down to seize he
q purse, when-oh, horrors there wa
the mans hand in her pocket! kathi
= did not withdraw her hand on tn
IS contrary, being resolved to prctet
d her property at all hazards, she fel
! about with her fingers as well as sh
- could for her purse, but could nc
find it. 1t was already gone. The
i kathie seized the lntruding han
D with the frmness of desperation
!" fully determined to make an a!arl
AS soon As the cars emerged into DAY
light again. If he did not have tn
? purse in his hand, there at least wa
. his hand in her pocket, and some {
the passenger would see her righte
II and her purse restored. Fortunatel
= her purse had her name printed O
e the inside. How long the minut,
4 seemed before the train came out I'M
light Then Kathie still graspe
J. firmly the mans hand, looked up an
e down the aisle, with sparkling ey,
e and flushed check, for the conducto
|. Il beg your PARDON said her cal
tive in so low tone that Kathie coul
scarcely catch the words, "but ha,
Z YOU not made a mistake in th
'f pocket ~
Kathie gave one swift glanc'
Good heaven, Her hand was in h
l. pocket If she had touched
+ burning coal she could not have r
II linauished her hold and withdraw
:, her hand more promptly. She wa
" overcome with confusion. She vel
$ tured one deprecatory glance at tn
d gentleman. His expressive face wor
r. q mischievOus smile.
81 thong" began Kathie trem,
lously. but she could get no further
ID The revul,ion of feeling was I