The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-09-22

the search. AS they were thus en-
gagged q door was opened, and port
er, hot, and consequently, cross, gruff-
~ demanded Tickets"
Helen's little travelling bag lay on
the seat; she took it up; it was already
open, and looked into it. 1t was emp
ty; her purse had gone! In stunned
amazement she stared, speeches., at
the ticket-Seller
Look sharp, miss! he said, imperi-
ously to this dawdling, third-class pas
Senger, who seemed to consider his
time of no more value than her own.
Neither his tone nor her discovery
tended to soothe Miss Mitford'S feel
ings. The purse containing her ticker
was gone; she had placed 1T IN her Dag,
which she had carefully smut. line
bag was wide open now and empty.
Her cherished watch, all her money
and her ticket were alike lost. Here
was an overwhelming calamity.
The short, familiar tones of the por-
ter braced her courage by arouslng her
Indignation. If she had not been an
moved it was possible that these mis-
fortunes, coming with the overpoWer-
ing heat Of the day, might have affect
ed her to tears. AS it was, she neld
out the open and empty bag toward
the porter with tragic dignity.
My purse was in this bag when l
left Merton station" she answered,
with dismay in her voice, ''and," touch
ing the dangling watch chain, my
watch was firmly fastened to this
chain. Both my purse and my watch
are now gone. have lost them both,
but how, or where, or when l have not
the slightest idea"
stolen" said the porter, shortly.
Helen looked thunder-struck, and
the shrewd-eyed man nodded like a
mandarin.
The young lady was wearing very
handsome watch, set with brilliants,"
he volunteered, addressing the porter.
at was an enamelled hunter, SO far as
l could see from where [ sat in the
carriage. She took it out and looked
at it more than once before we
reached-''
do you know the Lady," inquired
the porter looking hard at the man.
care you acquainted? Is she a friend
of yours?
81 have never seen the young lady in
my life until to-day. / was in the
train when she got on at Merton"
Then the porter leaned out of the
carriage and called loudly for bill,
who, in the shape of another porter,
presently arrived, accompanied by
guard and q policeman, by whom Hell
en- was questioned closely, and by
whom her companion was keenly scru-
tinized. The train, which had halted
outside the station, in order that the
tickets might be collected NOW pro-
ceeded into ST. Davids station, the pO-
liceman and "BilP' remaining in the
carriage, the former still crOSS-eXamin-
ing Miss Milford and keeping watch
full eye on the man. Helen told her
short story concisely; she was not the
kind of woman who OutWardly loses
her head or grows confused i'll an I'M
pleasant emergency; though, i'll truth,
she was frightened and miserable at
heart, she preserved a dignity of man
ner calculated to freeze her interrOga-
tors.
When the train drew up alongside
the crowded Exeter platform, the man
with whom Helen had travelled collect
ed his belOngiLas, and was about to
leave the carriage, had not the police
man interposed, civilly enough, but de-
cidedly.
Il am sorry, sir, but we shall want
to speak to you. The circumstances
are not altogether satisfactory, Tm
afraid. Before reaching --- this
lady looked at her watch;
it was safe then. She falls asleep al
most Immediately on leaving; you
were alone in the carriage with her;
when she awakes her watch : is
gone; likewise the purse The circum-
stances, as you'll allow, are not salts
factory. and it is my duty to sift them
to the bottom"
The man turned first red and then
very pale.
'5Then you suspect me of stealing"
he demanded, and the dismay in his
voice touched Hclen she turned her
gray eyes compassionately upon him.
Il am quite sure he did not do it,"
she said quickly, addressing the police
man.
Thank you. ma'am," said the man.
''NVhat reason have you for saying
that, miss?' inquired the policeman
sternly.
81 can see he is All honest man."
Helen answered. Her feminine logic
was not convincing.
''She had no other than woman's rea-
son,
She thought him so, because she
thought him So"
The policeman smiled grimly.
He will have to prove himself an
honest man by turning out his pockets
for one thing, and giving a satisfactory
account of himself for another. Will
you kindly oblige me with your name,