Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-02-03


thought her hand went down to seize her
purse, when-oh horrors there was the
mans hand in her pocket. Kathie did
not withdraw her hand. On the con-
trary, being resolved to protect her prop
erty at all hazards, she felt about with
her fingers as well as she could for her
purse, but could not find it. II was al
ready gone. Then Kathie seized the In
truding hand with the firmness of des-
peration, fully determined to make an
alarm as soon as the cars merged into
daylight 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 restored. Fortunately her purse
had her name printed on the inside. How
long the minutes seemed before the train
came out into the light. Then kathie.
still clasping the mans hand, looked up
and down the aisle with sparkling eyes
and flushed cheeks, for the conductor.
II beg your pardon" said her captive,
in such a low tone that Kathie could
scarcely catch the words, "but hare you
not made mistake IN The poeketf'
Kathie 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withdrawn her hand more promptly.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
ventured one deprecatory glance at the
gentleman. His expressive face wore a
mischievous smile.
Il though" began Kathie. tremu-
lously, 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, completing her SEN
tence. Il understand perfectly. Pray
do no, let the mistake disturb you, he
continued with imploring earnestness.
In the midst of her distress Kathie
could not help thinking how musical his
voice was. Then. with much tact, he
took up his paper and devoted himself
with great assiduity to reading an article,
which, if Kathie had but known it, he
had read twice already since she sat be-
side him, without knowing in the least
what it was about.
Kathie became outwardly composed
after a while, but her mind was still in a
tumult. Suppose he had turned the Ia
bles upon her, and denounced her as 4
pickpocket, as he might very well 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 kathie's rcsolutely
averted face and downcast eyes gave him
no opportunity, and not another word
was spoken till they reached the station,
where he left her with courteous bow
and Good d-morning.
Hateful thing" said Kathie to her.
self. Il hope shall never set eyes on
him again." and then she watched him
with admiring eyes as long as she could
distinguish his fine form in the hurrying
crowd.
Her purse, il is scarcely necessary to
say was safe in her pocket. and she soon
Sc, about diminishing its contents. Not
withstanding the inauspicious beginning
of her trip, her day proved quite success
ful and satisfactory. Her own errands
and Aunt Hates commissions were all
executed, and there was still half-hour
to spare for a call at Cousin Wills office,
and when the time drew near for her
train TO leave, he escorted her to the sta
ton. The train was in readiness when
they arrived, and as they walked along
TO reach the right car, form approached
them from side entrance, glance at
which sent thrill through Kathies veins,
and the hot blood to her cheeks and
brow.
"Ah. Here's Harry Thorn going
down on your train, kathie, said her
cousin. "He will be agreeable company
for YOU, and will see to your parcels;
and then, before Kathie was at all pre-
pared for it, came the inevitable introduc-
ton.
Kathie could hardly force herself to
meet the glance of the mischievious dark
eyes bent upon her, or touch the proffer-
ed hand. 1t was utterly impossible for
her to speak a word, but the gentleman
talked on till Will left them at the en-
trance of the car.
"You will take the seat by the window
this time:" questioned Mr.. Thorn, and
Kathie silently took it.
After he had arranged her parcels in
the rack, and seated himself, Kathie said,
with frank smile:
Il really hoped that | should never see
you again.
did you think deserved eternal ban
ishment:" he asked lightly.
"Oh, no. 1t was rather who merit
ed it," said Kathie. 80 long as you
did not know me, but now, ,-ah, where
was Kathie's words leading her.-"but
now, if you should tell Cousin Will,' she
continued, quite illogically, 'he would
tease me numerically, and should new
er hear the last Of it.
Il assure you" was the earnest answer,
s'that | will never mention the mistake
to which you refer to viii or any body
else. No one besides ourselves need ev-
er know aught oft"
And then he skilfully turned the con-
yersation, and Kathie was soon quite al
her ease, and they were soon conversine
| like old friends.