The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1900-06-02

H'>i NdN crossed my water store for
good.
That ended my attempts to benefit
mankind in public way. but did not
relax my private efforts.
One afternoon | was surprised by
having Il young and handsome woman
come up TO me in an excited manner on
the street, which was crowded at the
time, and ask If she could put herself
under my protection for little while
l consented. and Immediately she took
my arm and hurried me along. talking
Eolubly and rather incohcrcntly.
thought.
She said some one was following her.
| did not see any one near who seemed
to be noticing her but one of nv old
enemies, Il policeman. accompanied
her for several blocks. She did not
seem to want TO leave the avenue, but
kept in the thick OF the crowd. Sud
denly she dropped my arm with Il
"Thani YOU and disappeared into a
shop.
! walked on alone for several blocks.
wondering who She could be ana if she
were not little distraught. when re-
mcmhcrcd that | was going out of my
way and took Il horse cur going /, ..c.:
in the direction whence | had come.
y little later, to my surIll.:". the
young woman who had 50 recently
asked my assistance boarded the car.
She did not appear to see me; but, tax.
Ing Il seat opposite me. she dropped her
eyes to the floor and seemed to he lost
in thought.
Now, during the short time the young
woman's hand had rested on my arm
aad noticed lit being unglovedD that It
was white ana slender, with long, taper
fingers. l think there is a great deal Of
character expressed in the human
hand, so | thought to interest myself
by studying the hands of my pretty
vis-a-vis.
They We're now gloved and crossed
on her lap, and, to my surprise, instead
OF the slender, plant hands | had no
ticcd. these were as characterlcss as
those Of Il stuffed doll. They seemed
TO he fairly crowded into her gloves,
and while | was wondering how she
could so disiigurc such naturally pretty
members something very singular hap
pCncd.
My eye was attracted by n move
mCnt on the right side of the lady, and
while l watched TWO long white fingers
and thumb stole out from under her
cloak and busted themselves in the
pocket of the woman sitting next her.
Presently they slipped back under the
protecting garment holding purse.
looked closely ut the other side and de
tectcd Il movement there also. All this
time the two @lovcd hands lay crossed
in her lap ana her eyes We're on the
floor of the car
This double surprise caused me two
separate shocks. The lady had -four
arms and was Il pickpochct. Immrli-
atcly she arose and started to leave the
car. ON the instant | decided how
would act. | hurried after the mis-.
guided young woman, pausing an in
slant only to say to the lady whose
purse she had taken:
"NlaGam. if you have lost any Of yoGr
property. report to police headquarters.
Perhaps can recover it for YOU"
The lady looked up in surprise. but
did not wait. | sprang from the car
and took after the four armed lady.
She had left the avenue and was
walking rapidly down side street
when overlook her.
I'm afraid you are bad young wo-
man" said.
she looked around in &stonishmont.
""lar. my elderly protector a%ain?'
She said, and began to laugh, but did
not pause in her rapid walk. l had
difficulty in keeping up with her.
Il saw you take that purse" | said
Stcrnly, and l want You to give it t.
me"
"What purse: What are you talking
about" she said angrily.
"Thc purse Of that lady who sat he.
side you. There is no need for you to
disscmhlc." replied. "If YOU don't do
as bid you, | will have you arrested"
She shot y wicked look at me from
under her black hrows, but made no
reply.
1T is a shame that YOU should turn
your ailliGtion to such base advantage"
! said.
"What anictionT she asked.
l did not wish to wound her unncc-
essarily and hcsitatcd before replying.
"Tho fact that you have two arms
moro than other people,
She turned away her head, and her
shoulders shook. thought ! heard a
sound of laughter, but when she turned
around she seemed to be crying.
YOU don't know what | suffer on ac-
count Of it," she said, her voice broken
by sohs. people avoid me as Il mon
strosity. am very poor, too, and this
is the first time | have ever stolen"
/ could not help feeling sorry for her.
Give me the purse" l said, land
perhaps can help YOU"
She put out her hand-onc of the
pretty unglovcdr ones 49, and laid the
purse in my extended palm.
"Thank you so much,' she said-'no,
do not follow me we shall meet
again." And she almost ran away from
ne.
At the first convenient opportunity |
examined the purse. 1t contained moth
ing but Il little change, a pair of eye
glasses, Il key and some visiting cards.