Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1882-01-05


ton WAS riding down town IN q
crowded street tear, when 4 little
incident occurred that was destin-
ed 10 influence his whole after life.
4 young couple sat opposite 70
lwhon bis attention was irsesisti-
bly, attracted. The man was hanl-
some and well-dressed. and had
q reckless, dare devil look, that
marked him as Il hardened char
acfer. The young lady, however.
was q shy, tipid creature. with
great, brown, innocent looking
eyes. and q face as guileIess as an
/ lf1Issil's. She seemed nervous and
restless, and ever and anon would
start suddenly, and cling to her
companions arm, thus mute,y
claiming his sympathy.
at length the young man arose
to leave the car. The sudden
movement seemed quite unexpec-
ted to his companion, for she gave
a little gasp tf surprise, and fol-
lowed him TO the platform.
AOh, Jack - she cried, kind or
pleading earnestness in her voice,
.'yOu are not going to leave me
here r.
"Hush y he answered, quite an
grily. ''Don't be a silly goose,
Agnes l must go-it can't be
helped"
but you promised to take me
safely home -
"Something has happened to pre-
vent-l can't explain-I'll try to
see you again tomorrow. Go back
TO your seat, and be careful you
don't make scene. won't have
itr1
The last words were Kissed rap
idly between his close shut teeth.
Suddenly throwing off her cling
ing hands, he leaped down from
the PLATFORM, and almost instantly
disappeared.
The young lady was pallid and
trembling when she returned to
her place. Dick Thurston's eyes
followed her, curiously. She look
ed so disturbed and heart broken
that he could scarcely restrain him
self from sitting down beside her
and offering some word of conso-
lation.
Five minutes later. a stout, show
ily-dressed man Of sixty, who sat
next to the young lady, suddenly
Started 10 h!s feet, with loud ex-
clamation:
Il have been robbed! My purse
has cen stolen ~
All was confusion in a moment.
The car was stopped, and all in it
gathered about the gentleman.
looking startled and curious. There
were broken CALCULATIONS and cries
of dismay.
"Let the car be searched" said
one. 1.-THE purse may have fallen
on the floor"
No trace Of il could be discover
ed, however. The loser looked
perplexed and furious.
IL had it when | paid my fare,
not ten minutes agO!' he exclaim-
ed. 1T has been stolen since then.
There are three hundred dollars in
it, and some valuable notes.
can't quietly submit to such loss,
and insist that every person here
shall be searched "
Yes said ore of the passen-
gers There must be search, of
course; it is right. "Begin with
me, if you wish. Noinnocent per
son can object"
just then, Dick Thurston, in
whose bosom a professional zeal
in the case had already been ava
kened, happened to glance at the
young lady who had interested
him so profoundly. She was pale
as death, and looked ready TO faint
Calm yourselfm he said, i'm a
earnest whisper, leaning forward
to throw up the window near
which she sat. There is nothing
to be alarmed at. The search will
occupy but a few moments; then
you can go on again."
The cool air seemed to revive
her a little.
"MAst / be searched n she pant
ed. rs there no help for it I"
@None. You had better submit
quietly. / belong to the police
force, and will see that you suffer
no unnecessary annoyance"
She started, and looked up st
him quickly at. the word ''police," :"
then dropped her eyes. while a
shuSder ran through her frame
This is dreadiul-dreadful -
she moaned. 'But / might have
known what was coming-I might
have known p
Dick endeavored to quiet her,
for he saw that the other passen-
gers were already beginning TO
look at her suspiciously.
"It won't be necessary to 20 far
for the guilty person, ,some one.
at his elbow. muttered. I'VE ali
know who sat next to the man who
was robbed. A pretty face often
hides a very bad heart.n
The significance of the remark
was evident enough. Even the
trembling creature against whom
1t was directed understood it. and
suddenly clasped Dicks arm. as
though she would thus appeal to
him for protection.
A policeman was called, and the
passengers taken into the rear
room Of druggists. near BY, one by
cne, and carefully searched, q wo-