Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-03-04

rubbing Of the wheels
"Strange how n man may be de-
ceiyed." thought the young man. 81
always considered myself pretty bright,
but l should never have suspected that
girl OF being a sneak-thief. Sue does
her work like professional. too.
Probably works the trains all the
while. Hello! she is going TO try it
again.
Tho 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 eyclids quivered
with the exertion of keeping them in
such position that they appeared
closed while allowing them TO watch
the would-be thief.
Now her hand is on the sachel 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 face is flushed, the
blue eyes are dilated, and even the
pretty blonde rings Of hair seem to he
curling tighter in tho intensity of the
moment Then
"here is Horseshoe bend" says the
young man. suddenly sitting up, ''aRd
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 sacnel as he
steps 10 the other side of the car, and
points to the broad mountain pano-
rama spread out in the red light of the
dying day. The girl moves over to the
window and is at once lost in admira-
tion of the scene There is no doubt
about the genuineness of her delight,
and the young man confcsses that
sneak-thief though she may be, she has
an artists eye for the beautiful. Un-.
consciously 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 il is not case of kleptomanla. She
has every mark of refinement and edu-
cation" thought the young man..
"She evidently would like to get that
sachel if she could. Guess she knows
by the looks OF it that il contains jew
cry. Probably she had her eye ON me
in Philadelphia and determined to get
it before we reached Piitsburg. by
Jupiter! I'll give her /; chance, so |
can see what her game really is. y
He had returned to his seat by this
time, aud the girl was leaning on the
window-sill, looking calmly at the
rugged mountain scenery which ex-
tends for many miles west of Horse
shoe bend. He took cigar from his
pocket, bit off the end, and then
strolled carelessly in the direction of
tho smOking-room, leaving the pre-
cious sachel on the seat. He sat down
with the drummers and lighted his
cigar, but kept in such position that
he could watch his sachel. 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 sachel and moved it from the
seat. Things We're getting interesting
and the young man almost swallowed
mouthful of smoke as he leaned for
ward 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! Sne had thrown
the sachel on one side without deign-
ing even to look al it, and was fumb-
ling at the light fall topcoat he had left
on the seat.
The young man started. "By tho
:, Dft hat H., ,Sl
ring in the pocket. l had almost for
gotten it. She is sharp one. How
did she know it was therep This has
gone far enough. I guess l 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. digniied gentleman
with gray whiskers, who had just en-
tered the car from the other end.
"Oh, papa! Where did you come
fromp am SO glad to see you. And
am in such terrible trouble; and, oh,
am so miserabe!"
Sue did not make any effort to con-
ceal her tears, but cried on the digni-
fed gentleinan's shoulder until his
vest was wet through.
''Why, Mr.. Argent, how do you dor
said the young man, rs he stepped up
and shook hands with the dignitied
gentleman. when did you come
aboardP l did not see you before"
~ got on at Altoona, Hal, my boy.
was there on business connected with
the bank. and l thought l would give
my daughter pleasant surprise by
dropping on her unawares. sac does
not seem very pleased, though. What
is the matter. Blanchep"
.'Blancher thought the young man.
"Her name is as pretty as herself. !"
ut was u tear-stained, discOnsolatt
face that was raised toward her fathers
as she said:
"Why, papa, as soon as left Phila.
delphia found that had lost my
pocket-book. had not cent oi
money, and, oh, | am SO hungry
"rhis gentle an has a package o.
cakes, and--and-l am ashamed tt
tell you! l 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
l am so glad 10 see you. And do apol,
ogize to this gentleman for me. Aud
and try and get me something to eat,
won't youp"
&, "Here are some cakes at Miss Ar.
gents diposal," said the young man,
with mischievous smile.
By the time the train reached Pitts
burg the bankers daughter and the
young wholesale jeweler were excel