The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-04-17

civilian w. Leland" MY name" he
told her, explanatory; "May l not learn
yours, and then we can consider our
selves formally introduced-by cir
cumstances."
Elise flushed. His tone took too
much for granted. She had been driven
to accept his aid, but it did not follow
that he was necessarily a suitable ac-
quaintance. With a stiff little bow
she felt for her own card case, deliv-
cred him a glossy pastebOard, put
away his, and, murmuring a further
phrase of thanks, sank back into her
seat and opened a copy of the Gentle
woman.
The American smiled-there was
something in his smile so irritating
that Elise shut her eyes and dozed,
or rather pretended to, for beneath
her long lashes she was studying him.
1.-the, intelligent, unusual-even dis
tinguished-he impressed her with
haunting sense of doubt. Brooding
over the problem, she fell asleep in
earnest.
She reused herself vaguely to find
the afternoon scarcely advanced. I'm
der her dropped lids she stole acute
glances at her fellow passengers; her
attention rested finally on the Amer
lean.
To her amazement she distinctly
saw his hand emerge from the pocket
of the t~iveler next to him-the slum-
boring wearer of the gold albert and
the diamond pin.
\ sense of horror seized on Elise.
The man who had come so unexpected
ly to h9- assistance was clever pick
pocket, and she beheld him plying his
trade in open day. He himself must
have taken her purse and ticket. o,
it was infamousl
Elise checked herself-on the verge
of a movement to attract the gen
eraI attention. This pickpocket had
returned to her some of the stolen
property; he had been, in degree,
gallant-a Paul Clifford of the rail
road. He might have made her lose
her train and departed with his ill
gotten gains in safety. 1t would be
ungrateful, poor-spirited, to betray
him.
Yet, perhaps, he was going onto
continue his nefariOus trade upon the
Superbia during its voyage. She ought
to stop that; she ought at least, to
warn him that if he pursued his prac-
tees she would not shield him. And,
yes, weuld tell him he might keep her
purse.
While she meditated the situation
the portly sleeper yawned, looked
around him, rose and stumbled into the
corridor. A latch clicked inside, as
though he had entered another com
partment. Again that old, irritating
smile crossed the face of the Amer
lean, and he leaned over his pretty
neighbor.
Say, he murmured, "would you like
the incest sort of a surprise?"
Elise gasped; his impudence, she
told herself, was astounding.
please don't speak to me-" she
snapped, in an angry whisper; IF you
hadn't given me my fare back I'd have
had you arrested right away. AS it is,
l suppose | shall be too stupid TO do
So"
"Wh-hat!" struggled Leland; "you
mean that you suspect me-that Il"
Il don't suspect, said Elise, scorn-
fully, 81 know! l saw you take that
poor old gentleman's purse.
Leland laughed. You've sharp
eyes," he admitted, but you're wrong
for once, Miss Haughton. 1t was your
purse | stole from the scoundrel.
Those hands of his are wax, and the
real members are as busy as bees.
While he was trying to prospect me
a trife | snealled his plumber. Iwould
have had him arrested but for the fact
that | have an engagement in New
York next week, and can't stop over to
give police court evidence. But l
fancy he tumbled to me, all the same,
though l am professional"
"You--a professional" repeated
Elise, bewildered. Leland drew diff
ferent type of card from his wallet
and held it out to her, screened in
the hollow of his lean white hand.
On it was printed portrait of man
in evening dress, above was name in
staring capitals, 'ZISCA," and beneath,
THE Wonder of the Age"
"NGy public presentment," said Le-
land, sliding, with infinite dexterity,
her purse into her open palm under
cover of showing her the portrait. Il
am a fairly successful and rising Jug
gler. Delighted to have been of use
to you, Miss Haughton. l quite rec
ognize the social bar. In tokens of
which | will go and have smoke, and
at the same time keep an eye on the
gentleman with the wax hands, whom
L have known by sight as an expert
thief and bunco-steerer for years"
Elise was surreptitiously opening
her purse. She gave him back, incon-
spicuously, the amount he had loaned
her.
"You are kind" she told him. 81
am glad to settle this now. We may
not meet often on the boat. l am only
a governess, Mr.. Leland, going to New
York to an English family, in charge
| of some distant relatives"
The American sat down again, but
regained him feet abruptly.