The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-12-23

balls ache. The huge shop hecam
mask--a vanity fair. a whited sep
uichre. The bright colors Jared. TIL
efrort after cheernilncss and gayet,
became a cruel sham. Lively music
playing somewhere In the distance
smote her ears as a horrid jangle.
What was Christmas--the "Mcrr!
Christmas" confronting her every
where--when there was such toll an'
sufferingg Was all a mummerye Ha,
she been In q FOOLS paradlse--existlni
In a day dreame With clearer visioi
she saw things differently now coul,
she ever be happy happy again
Could Christmas be merry for her
And yet---She thought OF the rea
kindness Of the masterful Miss Me-
Clcskey with the heavy wave OF hail
ana the gold tooth: she remembered
the thoughtfulness OF the old floor.
walker to Number 105 now gaining O
little rest ON the hard boards: she
recalled the act Of the little cash girl
There was something still, Humant-
" was not altogether heartless, the
world not utterly bad
She looked before her. so lost IN
thought that she did not see. still
mechanically, she noted what was hap
pening. A tiiin-faced thin-lipped
woman In large plumed hat stood
making purchase. In her hand was
purse. She laid II on the counter.
A brush OF her sleeve brought II Noise
lessly and unnoticed to the floor, In
attentiveiy, Dorothea watched her NOV
away. A cash girl darted forward.
She picked up the leather case and ran
after the woman.
"Here." Dorothea heard the small
messenger say, you've lost your pock-
etbook."
The woman turned impatiently. She
seized the proffered object. Her An
gers closed upon 1t. without a word
she moved on. Suddenly she stopped.
Dorothea idly watched her as she
turned the clasp and peered into the
portmonnaiet
Dorothea observed that she turned
pale, then red with fury. tt"
she cried in loud tone-'Tve been
robbed,'
The vigor of the announcement and
the nature Of II caused an instant
hush.
What is It madam" demanded the
floor-walker, hurrying up.
IT had ten dollars in this purse"
she exclaimed In a deciamatory voice
that rang through the place. 'T
dropped 1t. opened II just now to
get a list. The money is-gone!
That little girl there had tho pocket
book and gave 1t to me. She has ta-
ken the bills!"
The child started as the denouncing
finger was pointed at her. Her lips
trembled in fright She began to cry.
"See." said the woman spitefully.
"You see she knows she did IT,
Dorothea stepped forward as II fas-
cinated The accused, as she discov-
cred at once, was Linda Krazewski
I'm very sorry" said the floor
walker. There must be some mis-
take"
Il tell you there isn't any" ragged
the woman.
A stout ordinary-looling man came
softly but swiftly forward.
Il am one Of the house detectives"
he announced. What is it?'
II demand that little thief shall be
arrested" a
= haven't got it, didn't take IT."
almost shrieked the child.
Keep still" ordered the detective
taking her firmly by the shoulder.
Il didn't touch It." the caeh girl
sObbed In terror
"she did" replied the woman. "She
had the purse The money was there.
1t isn't now" she finished triumphant-
ly.
A crowd had gathered. Shop people
and purchasers were pressing up.
The actors stood in the midst Of the
listening and staring throng.
Don't arrest me. pleaded the girl,
too frenzied with fear to defend her
self. Don't put me in jail"
Dorothea stepped out in the small,
open space where the others stood.
T think there is some error" she
announced In a clear but unsteady
voice.
What do you know about it?" cried
the woman wheeling upon her.
Il happened to be watching all the
time Dorothea continued more even !.
ly.
,"The girl did not take It, for /
should have seen It II she had"
"And you expect us to take your
word for that?" the now infuriated
female ragged.
Nothing but shop girl! I've no
doubt you are as bad as she. How do
know that you are not confeder-
ate? ask" she said, turning to the
detective, THAT you search this person
too"
For an instant Dorothea was silent.
The imputation, the accusation was