Western Kansas world., 1893-10-21

to the car, giving 1t to her Just a
she was about to step in. One snow,
day, when the wind blew a gale
making every woman wish for at leas
two pairs Of hands to manage skirt,
and umbrella, Miss Katy found, wher
she was in the car, that she had for
gotten to take her bag. 1t held the
children's pennies, brought each day
for the little savings fund, and she
feared Pete's honesty might not stand
the test, blaming herself for having
placed temptation in his way. Toe
late now, for with a bang and a whiz
the electric car was of.
She was earlier than usual at the
school the next morning, and as the
children gathered, she saw, with a
sinking heart, that both Pete and
the bag were missing. Her fears
were not aIlayed by the remarks with
which the children greeted her.
"Miss Katy, Pete's been took off
in the patrol wagon, this from a
little boy, whose envy at Pete's no.
toriety, was i'll concealed.
"Miss Katy, he was a-1ghtin'
awfullY about your bag"
81 seen him knocked down."
ga man said he'd bust his head
open"
Certainly something had happened;
but hopeless of obtaining reliable in
formation from such an excited group.
order was called for, and the days
work went on. What long, long,
morning it was, and how she missed
the merry smile and roguish twinkle
Of the blue eyes! She realized now
| how the boy had wound himself
about her heart. Could he, indeed,
bea thief A thief! Her little Pete,
Of whom she had hoped so much?
The children went home alone that
afternoon, for Miss Katy stayed be-
hind to arrange some work for the
following day. She was bending
over table, with her back to the
door, when the well-known creak
made her turn quickly, hoping against
hope. A burly policeman filled the
doorway, meeting her glance with
friendly nod; for Officer Smith was
always welcome guest at the kin
dergarten, having helped the teacher
in many ways In his hand he held
the little bag that Pete had carried
so proudly.
"Here's you bag, Miss Katy" he
said, with smile, 'and [ guess
you'll want to hear how came by it,"
81 am almost afraid to ask. Did |
Pete steal it?" |
''Steal it? Not he. That there
Pete'S the gamest little cock ever
did see," settling himself against the
wall, with the evident intention of
getting all out of the story it was
worth. "Why, bless you! no sooner
were you off yesterday when Dan
Granger Cume down on the little fell
low, and ordered him to give up the
bag. You know Dana big fellow
about 16, and the bully Of his ward.
And what do you think Pete done?
Set off to run first as fast as his legs
would carry him, and when he seen
that wouldn't work, put the bag be-
hind him against wall, and stood
there, that little chap ready to fight
that hulking fellow. 'rll knock the
life out of YOU Dan said, and Pete
answered up as game as you please,
You won't get it until you do, Dan
Granger Bless your eyes. they were
in the thick of it when l come round
the corner, and that Granger took
off pretty sharp while Pete-he run
right into my arms put the bag in
my hand. and tumbledi over in a
faint with the blood running from
q big cut in his head.
The tears were falling as Miss Katy
asked eagerly:
"But where is he now? Have you
taken him to the hospital? The chill
1ren said he was carried off in a pa
The big man looked little sheep s
Sh as he answered:
"Re amt gone to no hospital, Miss
Katy. The doctor at the station
house said he was not much hurt, and S
4 little care would put him on his
teet again"
"You did not take him back to
that dreadful place." clasping her
hands in distress.
A smile chased itself over his face,
and he spoke half apologetically:
mo, he hain't gone back there"
'Then where is he?" wondering if I
she would ever solve the mystery of !
MS whereabouts.
Then he drew closer to her, and,
ooking over his shoulder furtively,
answered in hoarse whisper:
swell, you see, Miss Katy, he was
such game little chap it seemed as S
( he'd ought to have chance, so l I
spoke TO my wife, and-and-well, I
she's been grieving awful for the lit c
lie fellow we lost last year, so she just {
leld out her arms, and l put Pete |
nto them, and there he's going to
stay" S
Miss Katy took the big red fist in !
Ter two hands and gave it a hearty S
hake. I
"You good man, God will surely l
)leSs you both;" then seeing his Z
and the anxious y
Ook he turned to the door, as though e