Evening star., 1905-10-14
WRITTEN FOR THE STAR BY J. !. STANTON

1t chanced that the girl in gray was the
only feminine occupant of the car, so
good many people noticed her when she got
in-and afterward.
She was a slight wisp of girl whose gar
ments were of nondescript type, producing
the effect of picturesqueness rather than
smartness. Her fair hair, of pale tint,
hung rather loosely about her face, and
its abundant masses were twisted with ap-
parent carelessness at the back. Her eyes
big blue and dreamy-were heavily fringed
with lashes many shades darker than her
hair, and of bewildering length.
She seemed completely absorbed in her
own thoughts. and in no wise disturbed by
the concentration of the popular gaze in her
direction.
Suddenly she appeared to wake up, as 1t
were. and began to tumble uncertainty at an
absurd little bag she carried at her waist
Then she jumped up, giving slight shake
to her dress, peered anxiously at the floor
beneath her feet. and turned hastily to ex-
anime the seat from which she had just
risen.
Lost something, madam the conductor
inquired, sauntering up to her.
'Yes-that is no. 1t isn't lost, 1t can't be-
had it when got in, feel sure. 1t can't
be gone. Won't YOU" to the passenger on
her right, move up little, please?"
There was a suggestion of tears In the
tremulous voice. 1t was evident that the
girl was painfully excited
The cOnductor-a large and heavy indl-
vidual-lent himself stolidly to the search.
but 1t was evident that his interest was
superficial.
Have it when you paid your fare?" he
demanded presently.
"Oh, yesi That is, 1 believe So I had
my fare in my hand. 1t was the other
purse. oh. can't you find It? You mustr
Must nothing, lady! The purse ain
here: y can see fer y'self. You must a
dropped It, fore you got in the car.
."Oh, well. perhaps 1 did. Stop the car,
please. won't you? 1 must get out at
once"
she looked distractedly round the car,
then made her way. hastily and rather un-
steadily. to the door.
A man wearing an absent and slightly
bored expression whose attention had been
apparently entirely engrossed IN his news
paper, rose and followed her.
Pardon me-" he said, as taking firm hold
of her arm he aided her to descend in safety
and piloted her to the opposite pavement.
As they gained it she turned and looked at
him in bewildered way. There were tears
in her eyes and her gaze expressed timidity
and resentment, yet 1t was appealing as
well.
Lifting his hat he returned her look with
a grave and steady kindness.
The girls lip trembled and the distrust
and resentment slowly died out of her face.
which became implOringly anxious.
MY purse-if could only find my purse,
she got out-unevenly but intensely.
Was there-did you carry large amount
in your purse?'
Yes oh, yes-an immense sum! "A
hundred dollars, 1 had just added the last
five. 1t wasn't mine, you see; 1t wasn't
mine Oh. what shall l, what shall l do?'
Her voice rose to anguished shrillness.
Hush Don't excite yourself needlessly.
Have you no idea where you lost it? We
might enlist the aid of the police"
'Oh, no, no! It's gone, gone! The police
won't find it-they never do! It's lost, and
II can't face it,''
"Why?'
Haven't 1 told you? 1t wasn't mine. 1t
was intrusted to me to put into the bank.
1t was money that had been collected for
a charity. Part of it 1 had collected myself.
1 got the last five dollars from friend this
morning. 1t had been promised to me and
II just made up the hundred. Oh, oh!'
A wild look came into her eyes and she
half turned, If to retrace her steps,
thereby coming into violent collision with an
elderly and very correct gentleman who
was close behind her and who muttered
something the reverse of complimentary as
he Strengthened his hat.
"Oh, I'm sorry! 1t was stupid of me
but l must go back-I must look care
fully"
He laid a OBTAINING hand on her arm.
but my dear child, you don't really sup