The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-02-25
The MOROCCO PURSE.
By C. LEON MEREDITH.


shapers, especially when carrying much
money, but my watchfulness failed at one
time to save me from very unpleasant adj
venture, the experience, however, termin-
citing most favorably.
The event took place two years ago.
Late one afternoon, while on my return
from the wholesale house of Marshall
Field a. Co. TO my hotel, l was detained for
q minute at the corner of Clark and Madi-
son streets by clog of cars and vehicles.
AS stood watching for an opportunity
to cross over, / noticed a tall, gaunt man
gazing upon me intently. A fearful scowl
was upon his face, and the bony fingers
were clenched firmly into the palms of his
white hands.
was wondering what it could mean,
when suddenly change came.
The strange looking man came quietly TO
my side, the hard look left his features, and
a soft smile took its place. A well-flled
morocco purse was suddenly slipped into
my hand and the man said hurricdly:
"Thats yours, Thompson. l forgive YOU;
keep it."
Before had time to open my lips in pro-
test, before could tell him that my name
was not'Thompson, the fellow had darted
away, mingled with the crowd, and was lost
TO view.
was perplexed.
My first thought was that followed pick
pocket had forced the purse into my hand
TO shield himself, aud that / would soon be
arrested as a confederate.
Glarcing about me l discovered no one
watching. All seemed to have individual
afairs to attend to, and not policeman
was in sight.
Still holding the fat, soft purse exposed
an my hand, the hotel was reached.
An hour spent in my room studying over
the affair did no sort of good. The simple
facts existed, that was all, and reflection in
any direction brought no plausible, at least
satisfactory, solution TO the problem.
That the purse had been stolen there was
no doubt. And why it had been given to
me, or why the thief should wish to forgive
Thompson and give the article to him, of
course / could not determine.
After half an hours deliberation, a reso-
luton was formed to find the owner OF the
pocket book. would give itinto the care of
the hotel keeper and advertise.
AS reached the staircase Mt the end of
the long hall, n new idea came TO me, and
FASTENED back to my room.
decided to examine the contents of the
purse before letting it 60 out of my pos
session, make memorandum of what il
contained, then l could tell if accurately
described by any applicant, or if tempered
with while out of my hands.
The purse contained only few dollars
In money, but, mercy! what multitude of
other articles
There were bits of sample silks, glove
hook, recipes for frosted cake, little plain
ring, few small pearls, bits of ribbon,
and several calling cards.
The purse certainly belonged to woman.
The cards were all alike, and bore in fine
script the name of Lena Suthern.
The plan of finding the owner was
changed again.
would write to Lena Suthern, general
delivery, Chicago, and await the result.
A letter was accordingly placed in the
postoffice that evening. 1t was brief,
simple statement that 1 was in possession
of purse which contained cards bearing
her name.
The day following when 1 came in for
dinner. the hotel clerk told me that q lady
had been waiting for some time to see me
in the parlor.
Entering the room but one person was
to be seen.
A lady sat upon n sofa near the window
a young lady Of remarkable beauty.
Askhe light of midday streamed through
the half -curtained easement, it fell upon
my ideal of a supremely lovely face.
So sweet and so bright was it that stood
and gazed upon her rudely before speaking.
She evidently noticed my staring and
hesitancy, for she turned away for a mo-
ment and then arose.
'Are you the gentleman who wrote this
line to mep' she asked, extending the letter
of the evening before.
i bowed my answer.
81 will describe the purse" she said,
quietly, and proceeded to do so very mi
nutely.
handed her the fat little morocco purse,
and opening it with nimble fingers she said,
sweetly:
81 shall be very glad to reward you, kind
sir. and"
Nothing of the kind" / returned. 81
have sufficient means for all of my wants,
and il gives me great pleasure To place in
your hands the article that came into my
possession in n very strange manner
She started little. then composed her
self, and without question moved toward
the door,
lyon will accept my thanks?" size said,
SO softly and inusically that / could hardly
franc words Tor reply.
During the very brief minutes that she
had been before me had toasted upon her
supreme loneliness, and 1 did not wish the
spell broken So suddenly.
"Will you tell me one thing before you
go2" asked, holding mp my hand as if to
detain her. will you let me know in what
manner lie little purse left your possession?
1t was forced into my hand by very strange
parsonage, middle-aged, wan-looking
Fellow, who called me Thompson, and say
ing he forgave me, dashed away. / thought
him a pickpocket; were my suspicious cor
rect"
aNol mol" she answered, painful smile
crossing her angelic face; "there was no
crime in il. and the exercise Of no reason.
The Thompson n an imaginary man, and
the one who would bestow the gift not in his
right mind. Good-day."
She bowed as she passed out, and turned
her bewitchingly beautiful eyes full upon
my face.
/ Watched the tall, graceful figure as il
swept through the hall, and then turned re-
fecfively 10 my room.
"You are gone case, said to myself,
while pacing MP and down my apartment,