The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-31
LOST, .STRAYED OR STOLEN
By MARY WINTHROP

remained unsolved. He knew whom he
wished had sent 1.-THE girl in the fiat
above She was the girl who, when she
came in from the office OF an evening,
sat down at the piano and ratified on
Jolly tWOstep-that was when things had
gone well-or crept in quietly and sang
soothing lullables-that was when the
days work had left her wornout and blue.
Lane sympat hized, for he had felt just
that way himself.
"B-r-r-r" rang the electric bell. Lane
frowned as he reached his hand back for
the button. Why need commonplace real
tiles in the shape of the janitor break in
upon his day dream? Then he straight
ened up suddenly. The figure standing in
| the doorway was not to be confused with
the janitor. 1t was girl with re-
bellious brown curls wandering down to
obstruct pair of serious dark eyes. It
was the girl Of the fiat above.
The girl stood uncertainty a moment in
! the gathering dusk, then stepped forward
| with sudden decision. Il beg your pardon
for intruding on you, she said apologize
ally. II don't believe you can even see
you let me light up. am the girl from
! the fiat above AS she spoke she turned
to the switch. In a moment the room
flashed into a blaze Of light.
Lane still stared at her as if at vision.
but the years Of business training came
to his aid. Wont you sit down, Miss
Fane?" he said courteously. can't rise
"a little tr;f1e of a sprained ankle"
Eyes, I know the girl interrupted
sympatheticany. The 5anitor told me. I
am so sorry The man found her pity
very sweet. ......
II don't want to trouble YOU" she went
on, but I am looking for one of my
or stolen. It must have come, for my
cousin writes that 1t was mailed some
days ago."
! Instinctiyely Lane spread his hands over
| the dainty trife lying in his lap. Yes.
the pillow hid 1t from view.
| at is handkerchief case made of pur-
pie silk AS our names look something
alike, thought it might have come to you
by mistake" She looked at him expect
| antly. -. ,-.- Isl
Now, Lane had been mentally planning
how he might keep that handkerchieg
case. He was thief in everything but
the deed. But he could not answer those
| searching brown eyes with a lie. Yes,
have t. I thought 1t was mine" And he
| held it out weakly. Then sudden inspira--
! ton came to him.. 81 wish you would let
me keep it," he said pleadingly. Il will
buy you anything else in its place that
you like .-... 49,. .'s..-....
Miss Lanes color deepened. ''Why?"
! she asked wondering1y.
| BECAUSE, ne SAD FeueuleNlly, ~ tiS
only Christmas present I shall have. I
! have been lying here in the dusk i'm
| agining who might have sent it to me,and
! I cant bear to give it up I would not care
| so much if I was up and around. You
don't know how blue fellow gets shut
up here all alone. Little things come to
count a lot.' ..
He looked so helpless lying there on the
| couch that the girls heart went out to
| him, and she had a fashion Of following
her heart more readily than her head.
"You poor fellow"' she said gently. Il
| know just how you feel You shall keep
| the handkerchief case. Cousin Laura will
never know, and I have several others.
And you must count 1t as a real Christmas
| present from me. Only don't give me
| anything In is place except to wish me
merry Christmas when I come down to see
| YOU in the morning. I will bring some Of
the goodies from my home box They will
make you forget all about the ankle"
| She hurried away. Lane did not know
that it was because she wished to hide
tears brought to her eyes by the dumb
look of gratitude on his face. And he
lay back and wished that the morrow
might come. - - - sr@29'a - -
Before another Christmas the two fats
| were empty. Mr.. and Mrs. Lane were
keeping house in large fiat on the
ground floor. His wife always declares
that he stole her heart and the handker-
chief at one and the same time on that
memorable Christmas eve.