The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-11-26

moving slightly. Without opening
his eyes he let his hand fall on the
sachel. AS he did so he. touched the
slim fingers of hand that he
recognized with thrill to be those of
a lady. The hand was quickly drawn
away, but the young man was now
broad awake. So broad awake that
he pretended to be still asleep as he
opened his eyes just wide enough to
peep through the lashes at the troubled
face of the young lady who was
"travcling alone for the first time
She had moved to seat in front of
him, and her dainty, ungloved hand
was hanging over the back, as if she
had been afraid to take it away when
the young man moved.
Five minutes passed, during which
she sat perfectly still, looking at the
apparently closed eyes of the young
man, while the loud talking and
laughter of the three drummers, who
We're telling each other hi ghly-colored
anecdotes in the smoking-room, were
the only sounds to be heard save the
rumbling of the wheels.
''Strange how man may be
deceivcd.'' thought the young man.
Il always considered myself pretty
bright, but should never have sus-
pcctcd that girl of being sneak
thief. She does her work like a
professional, too. Probably 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 sachel. The young man found it
difficult to breathe regularly and
naturally, and his cyelids quivcred
with the cxcrtion Of keeping them in
such Il position that they appeared
closed while allowing them to watch
the would-bc thief.
Now her hand is on the satchel and
she is gently pulling it toward her.
Slowly it is drawn from the young
mans grasp. In another minute she
will have it. Her foec is flushed, the
blue eyes dilatcd, and even the pretty
blonde rings of hair seem to be curling
tighter in the intensity of the moment.
Then
''Here is Horseshoe bend," says the
young man, suddenly sitting up, land
beautiful it looks in the sunset
He does not appear to notice the
girl $ 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 panora-
ma spread out in the red light of the
dying day. The girl moves over to the
window and is at once lost in admira-
ton of the scene. There is no doubt
about the genuincnesS of her delight,
and the young man confeSSes that,
sncak-thief though she may be. she has
an artists eye for the beautiful. Tn
consciously she points ut features Of the
landscape that strike her fancy. and
calls attention to light and shade CT
tccts among the pines as they tre1nblc
and wave in the gentle evening breeze.
Funniest Cir! ever saw. Wonder
If it is not Il 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 jcwclry.
Probably she had her eye on me in
Philadelphia and determined to get it
before we reached Pittsburg. BY Jupi-
ter: III g i've hcra chance, so I can see
| NNtt ncl Sttluc IctllN IL.
He had returned to his seat by this
time, and the girl was leaning on the
window-sill, looking calm y at the rug
gcd mountain scenery which extends
for many miles west of Horseshoe bend.
He took Il cigar from his pocket. bit Oft
the end, and then strolleu carclcSSly in
the direction of the smokiny-rOom.
leaving the precious sachel on the seat.
He sat down with the drummcrs and
lighted his cigar. but he kept in such a
position that he could watch his s;ltchcl
He had not long to wait.
Hastily and ncrvously the girl whom
he had left apparently absorbed III the
view from the opposite window sprano
upon the sachcl and moved it from the
seat. Things were getting Interesting
and the young man almost swallowed
a mouthful OF smoke as he leaned for.
ward to ret Il 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 sucheI on one side without ,lcignino
the light fall topcoat he had left on the
seat.
The young man started. ''By tht
; powers! She is after that diamond
ring in the pocket had almost for
gotten it. She is a 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 hcl
, when he saw her turn quickly, utter :
joyful cry, and throw her arms arount
the neck of a tall, dignited gentleman
! with gray whskcrS, who had just enter
cd the car from the other end.
ooh. papa! Where did you come
from? am so glad to see you. And
am in such terrible trouble; and, oh,
am SO miscrabler'
She did not make any effort to con
ccal her tears, but cried on the dignitet
gentleman s shoulder until his vest Wa
I wet through.
"Why, Mr.. Argent, how do you do?'
said the young man, as he stepped ~
and shook hands with the dignifct
gentleman. when did YOU com.
aboard? | did not see You BEFORE
Il got on 1T Altoona, Hal, my boy
, | was there on business connected will
LIC ttilA 4 "OuIu XIV
my daughter Il pleasant surprise b,
dropping on her unawares. She doe:
' not seem very pleased, though. VIVA
is the matter, Blanche?
"Blanchc!' thought the young man
''Her name is as pretty as herself. >
, 1t was a tcar-stained, discODsolatt
face that was raised toward her fathers
us she said:
, "Why. papa, as soon as l left Phila
dclphia found that l had lost my
pocket-book. l had not cent OF
money, and. oh, am so hungry! This
gentleman has a package ot'cakes, and
. and am ashamed to tell you!
tried to st-st-steal cake while he
was asleep, but he woke up. Then
tried again when he was away. Then
you came 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 you?'
, ''Here arc some cakes at Miss