The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-02-06
A FRIEND IN NEED

By Victoria =. Benton.

was addressed grew
quite genial In manner when he saw
tie pretty face OF the young lady be-
side him.
Just one hour. miss. he replied.
Then / can take a look at the city
said Marian East TO herself.
The porter heard. and was at once
ready with his advice.
Best jump into that street car.
miss The blue one over yonder- 1t
viii take you up on Main street In ten
-.unies. and Main street holds all the
principal stores
Marian East thanked him with a
charming smile. and made her way TO
the street ear which was on the point
OF leaving The station as she reached It.
The city was not a very large one.
bui ghe shops were sufficiently tempt
ing 10 hold her prisoner before them
FOR some moments before she remem-
bered 70 glance at a clock
Twenty minutes Of her hour had al
ready slipped By. She gave up a Sc
cret little plan that she had formed
on her way that evening Ia the train.
She knew only one person IN thai city.
aud he was quite ignorant Of her pres
ence on this day
During the previous summer she had
met George Elphlnstone IN the r1un.
Try az the house of a mutual friend
whc was his business partner. They
had ridden. drove walked and talked
together for three long. happy months.
Aud when they parted George Elnhin
stone had asked for and obtained Deg
picture. which he had vowel m keep
forever. as the most sacred treasure
of his life Then be- went away and
silence fell between them.
40 letter came 70 remind Marian oi
the friend whom she had allowed "a
grow too dear To all appearance she
had been only a summer friend to him
while ho-oh. how her heart ached al
she tried 10 unlearn the lesson which
he had been at such pains to teaci
her in those happy days among th'
mountain scenesl
Il was all over nowi She had learned
TO forget George Elphinsione. she SAID
10 herself And she would not owl
that her "stop over IN this eity-hii
home-had been made only that sh'
might have the sad pleasure Of looklni
upon the walls that sheltered him. an,
Of seeing his name on the Office slgI
which he had SO often described Il
her. Himself she did not wish 70 see
unless she might catch one glimpse o.
him from a distance. herself unseen
Ia some crowded street. To be oblige,
TO speak % him now-to hold his hans
4 moment. and to look into his eyes
as slranger-oh. that would be dread
full Not for worlds would she havl
had it happep SOL
As these thoughts passed through
Marian's mind she had left the shol
windows and had been borne onwar'
by the eYer-huFrying crowd until tn
name Of a street painted on a lamp
post opposite caught her eye en-
brought her to a pause-"Sprinl
Street"
Il was there that George Elphinst0n
had bis office.
There was but the breadth Of on
street between them. Should sh
cross itf
Further up Spring street she conl
See the iron posts and railings Of
paik or public garden Wei dresse
ladies and children were constant
passing up that way.
Most Of them passed by Marian. uo
without a swift glance OF inquiry a
her fixed attitude and thoughtful al
sorbed face
No I win not g" she thought. q
last
"Oh my purse! my purse. I've los
itl Where's policeman cried
looking woman. who had bee
standing close beside Marian at th
crossing. while a procession OF cab
anu NNAAANaNN NlNnrtA NHN ~ NAAN "AANNA
Marian turned 10 glance az the won
an and then at the clock in n watcl
makers window.
It was past the half-hour- time fc
her to return to the railroad station.
zone moment, miss. said an IN
poriant voice. as she stepped frol
the curbstone
A hand was laid upon Marlan's arm
A hue-coated policeman. after iistei
ing an instant to the nervous womai
was actually stopping her
Il did not see It done. and I am
a hurry to catch a train." she sal
hastily. II have no information to gi'
about It"
The policeman grinned.
Il suppose not. miss But you mu
come with me"
60 with you. Whys Wheref
"As If you didn't know. Missl To g
etation-house. Of course. This la'
has given sou IA charge. and you mn
20 there and be searched