The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-12-12

ter OF the three drummerS, who were
telling each other highly-colored anec-
dotes in the smoking-room, were the
only sounds to be heard save the rum
bling of the wheels.
"Strange how man may be deceiv-
ed," thought the young man. "I al
ways considered myself pretty bright,
but should never have suspected that
girl of being a sneak thief. She does
her work like professional, too. Prob
ably works the trains all the while.
Hello! she is going to try it again."
The girl had arisen, and the white
hand was steadily advancing toward
the satchel. The young man found it
difficult to breathe regularly and natur-
ally, and his eyelids quivered with the
exertion of keeping them in such a po-
Stion that they appeared closed while
allowing them to watch the would-be
-taief.
Now her hand is on the satcffel and
.he is gently pulling it toward her.
Slowly it is drawn from the young
mans grasp. In another minute she
will have it. Her face is flushed, the
blue eyes are dilated, and even the
pretty blonde rings of hair seem to be
curling tighter in the intensity of the
moment. Then
"Heie is Horseshoe bend," says the
young man, suddenly sitting up, "and
beautiful it looks in the sunset"
He does not appear to notice the
girls confusion, but he takes the pre-
caution to pick up his satchel as he
steps to the other side of the car, and
points to the broad mountain panorama
spread out in the red light of the dying
day. The girl moves over to the win
dow and is at once lost in admiration
of the scene. There is no doubt about
the genuineness of her delight, and the
young man confesses that, sneak-thief
though she may be, she has an artists
eye for the beautiful. Unconsciously
she points at features of the landscape
that strike her fancy, and calls attention
to light and shade effects among the
pines as they tremble and wave in the
gentle evening breeze.
"Funniest girl ever saw. Wonder
if it is not case of kleptomania. She
has every mark of refinement and edu-
cation" thought the young man. "She
evidently would like to get that satchel
if she could. Guess she knows by the
looks of it that it contains jewelry.
Probably she had her eye on me in
Philadelphia and determined to get it
before we reached Pittsburg. By Ju-
piter I'll give her a chance, so I can
see what her game really is"
He had returned to his seat by this
time, and the girl was leaning on the
window-sill, looking calmly at the rug
ged mountain scenery which extends
for many miles west of Horseshoe bend.
He took cigar from his pocket, bit
off the end, and then strolled carelessly
in the direction of the smoking room,
leaving the precious satchel on the
seat. He sat down with the drummers
ahd lighted his cigar, but kept in such
a position that he could watch his
satchel. He had not long to wait.
Hastily and nervously the girl whom
he had left apparently absorbed in the
view from the opposite window sprang
upon the satchel and moved it from the
seat. Things are getting interesting
and the young man almost swallowed a
mouthful of smoke as he leaned forward
to get better view. The train was
moving at the rate of about forty miles
an hour, and he knew the thief could
not get off just now, at all events.
But what was this! She had thrown
the satchel on one side without deign-
ing even to look at it, and was fumb-
ling at the light fall topcoat he had left
on the seat.
The young man started. "By the
powers She is after that diamond
ring in the pocket. 1 had almost for
gotten it. She is sharp one. How
did she know it was there? This has
gone far enough. guess had better
join in the fun myself. -
He had made one step toward her
when he saw her turn quickly, utter a
joyful cry, and throw her arms around
the neck of tall, digni6ed gentleman
with gray whiskers, who had just en-
tered the car from the other end.
"Oh, papa! Where did you come
from7 I am SO glad to see you. And
I am in such terrible trouble; and, oh,
l am so miserable!''
She did not make any effort to con-
ceal her tears, but cried on the dignihed
gentleman's shoulder until his vest was
wet through.
"Why, Mr.. Argent, how do you o!"
said the young man, as he stepped up
and shook hands with the dignifed
gentleman. "When did you come
aboard? / did not see you BEFORE"
''I got on at Altoona, Hal, my boy.
l was there on business connected with
the bank, and thought l would give
my daughter pleasant surprise by
dropping on her unawares. She does
not seem very pleased, though. What
is the matter, Blanche?"
"Blanche!" thought the young man.
"Her name is as pretty as herself"
'It was a tear-stained, disconsolate
face that was raised toward her fathers
as she said:
"Why, papa, as soon as I left Phila-
delphia 1 found that l had lost my
pocket-book. l had not a cent of
money, and, oh, 1 am so hungry!
"This gentleman has a package OF
cakes, and-and-I am ashamed to tell
you! l tried to st-st-steal cake
while he was asleep, but he woke up.
Then 1 tried again when he was away.
Then you come in, and-and-I am SO
glad to see you. And do apologize to
this gentleman for me. And-and try
and get me something to eat, won't
your"
"Here are some cakes at Miss Ar
gents disposal" said the young man,
with mischievous smile.
BY the time the train reached Pitts
burg the bankers daughter and the
young wholesale jeweler were excellent