The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-10-02

8 puxss was In this bag when I
left Merton station" she answered,
with dlsmay IN her voice. land. touch.
Ing the dangling watch chain, s.my9
watch ewas firmly fastened to this
chain. Both my purse and my watch
are now gone. have lost them both,
but how, or where, or when have not
the slightest iden." s.;is
Stolen, said the porter, shortly.
Helen looked thunder-struck, and
the shrewd-eyed man nodded like a
mandarin. 81
The young lady was wearing very
handsome watch. set with brilliants,''
he volunteered, addressing the porter.
1T was an enamelled hunter, 30 far ID
i could see from where nat In the
carriage. She took 1t out and looked
ut It more than once before we
reached"
'Do you know the lady?" inquired
the porter, looking hard at the man.
Are you acquainted? Is she u friend
Of yours r.
Il have never seen the young Indy in
my life until to-day. l was In the
train when she got on at Merton. =
Then the porter leaned out Of the
carriage and called loudly for "Bill,n,
who. In the shape Of another porter,
presently arrived, accompanied by a
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. David's station, the 20
liceman and "Bill" remaining in the
carriage. the former still cr0ss-examin-
ing Miss Milford and keeping a watch
full eye on the nan. Helen told her.
short story concisely; she was not the
kind of woman who outwartlly loses
her head or grows confused in nm un-
pleasant emergency; though, In truth,
she was frightened and miserable at.
heart, she preserved q dignity Of man.
ner calculated to freeze her interrO.a-
tors.
When the train drew up alongside
the crowded Exeter platform, the man
with whom Helen had Travelled collect
ed his belongings, and was about to
leave the carriage, had not the police
man interposed, civilly enough, but de-
cidcdly.
Il am sorry, sir, but we shall want
to speak to you. The circumstances
are not altogether satisfactory, I'm
afr1id. Before reaching 49, this
lady looked ut her watch;
1t 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 satis-
factory, and it is my duty to sift them
to the bottom"
The man turned first red and then
very pale.
Then you suspect me of stealing?"
he demanded, and the dismay in his
voice touched Helen; she turned her
gray eyes compassionately upon him.
II am quite sure he did not do It,"
she said quickly, addressing the police
man.
Thank you. ma'am," said the man.
'sWhat reason. have you for saying
that, miss?" inquired the policeman
sternly.
II can see he is an honest man."
Helen answered. Her feminine logic
was not convincing.
~ = - .b =
sshe had no other than a woman's rea-
son,
She thought him 50, 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 satisfactory
account of himself for another. Will
you kindly oblige ME with your name,
sir, your business and your destina-
tion?"
'.No difficulty about the one or the
other. My name is Smithers, William
Smithers, native of Barford, county Of
Warwick. I'm a gentleman's servant,
valet to Mr.. Albert Jones. vino is trav.
cling in first-class smoking compart-
ment in the front CT this train. We are
on our way to Newton Hall, Noel
combe, North Devon, the seat Of Sir
Adolphus Jones, Knight-father to my
MASTER"
The policeman listened to this expla-
nation attentively, then turned with a
wise and skeptical smile to Bill.
1--WE must find this Mr.. Albert Jones,
BILL" he said.
At that moment there hurried past
the carriage window a tall, cookbook
ing young man whose face was wrink-
led with q frown, and who scanned the
crowd upon the platform in evident
and impatient search for some one
whose duty it was to be found.
That Is my MASTER" cried Mr..
Smithers, with a note of triumph In
his voice.
Go be continued1
Imaginary Ailments.