The aegis & intelligencer., 1906-10-19
POCketDOOkS and
PenitenCe
By MARY BOWMAN
Copyright, 1905, by Beatrix Reade

land the officer says he won't"
Then shall search these people my
self" snapped the old lady. Not ten
minutes ago paid my fare out of that
purse and no one has left the car since.
1t must be here. tell you. insist that
you find it,
The policeman looked about the car
h0pclcssly Douglas spoke mp.
Il think he said quietly, that the
quickest way to get rid of this non
sense will be for the rest of us to per-
nit ourselves to he searched. am sure
none of us will object There is merely
a mistake somewhere. Here, officer, do
your duty"
lie stepped forward and with rapid
movements the policeman emptied his
pockets The other four men i'll the car
followed his example. Then an expect
ant hush fell over the passengers.
There remained only the five women,
who, with the excited complainant,
comprised the passengers. Four of
them stepped forward.
"Ill let any woman in the crowd
search me-" she said. The woman who
had lost her purse pounced upon her
and with eager fingers paved over her
gown, emptied her purse upon the seat
and jumblcd the things out Of her hand
satchcl.
Next" she called as she left her vic
tim to replace her belongings as best
she might
Three other women came forward i'll
turn, submitting with no good grace to
the examination. but the last one sat
quietly in her seat.
Il do not propose TO be searched"
she said quietly. You have no right
TO do so, and it is absurd to suppose
that l could have taken your purse.
have sat in this corner ever since | en-
tered the car. and have not been near
you. l refuse to permit you to touch
me-"
You see," exclaimed the complain
ant triumphantly, Il knew it would
not be difficult to locate the guilty
one"
Il never saw your purse" cried the
girl in the corner. Il have no need
to steal purses. Officer, here Is my
card. You must know my father by
reputation"
Il can't help it. num-" said the Off
Ger. "All the others have been search
cd, and if you refuse to submit
He stopped short. The girl had burst
into tears.
Look here~ cried Douglas. "Stop
this thing. | took the purse"
The others turned with one accord
toward him. Il took it." he repeated
defiantly. Officer, do your duty"
The policeman laid his hand upon his
arm, but the owner of the purse burst
out in protest.
Give me back my purse" she cried.
Il will not let you take him away I'M
til get my purse"
'Have to keep 1t to use as evidence"
was the short explanation. Come
around to the Fifty-ninth street sta
ton to make complaint. | can't wait
here any longer. Come on" He re-
newed his hold upon Douglas but his
way was blocked by the woman.
AT least l insist that you count the
money i'll my presence" she demanded.
Il have that right"
"All right" said the policeman in
tired voice Give it up, young fell
low
Il haven't got it," stammered Doug
las, to whom this was Il very unexpect-
ed turn. II dropped it"
"Where did you drop it?" asked the
officer I'm your pocket
Where the window drops down." eX-
planned Douglas more glibly. "You
can find it when the car gets to the
| stables"
Il want it now," persisted the vic
| tim. Il insist that it be given me at
once"
One of the men leaned over the ledge
at the back of the seat. There was n
space of about two inches between the
window sill and the back Of the seat,
where the sash was dropped in pleas
| ant weather
"This is where you were sitting" he
| called. "but I'm hanged if | can see it,"
The victim made rush for the win
| dow and began to poke energetically
| into the space with her umbrella, but
|
uncasily. Il can't hold up this car all
day" he announced. You go on to the
| stables and come over to the station
| house with it,
| That's what" echoed the inspector,
| who had come up. There's fifty cars
| tied up behind. Keep 'em moving"
The policeman turned to go. but just
| of hn
| sprang toward the woman who was
| knccing upon the seat busy with her
fishing. There's your purse now" she
cried as she pulled aside the skirts Of
| the long cloak the victim WAS wearing.
1T Slipped down inside, and the chain
caught Oh the braid. 1t must have been
there all the time"
"Then why did this man cause me all
of this excitement" demanded the vic
tim, turning in her majesty TO con-
front Douglas.
He went rcd for Il moment, and the
policeman took Il tirmcr hold upon his
club. Il thought 1t might stop all this
fooling." confessed Douglas. "And.
| you see, I'm Il story writer. and l
wanted to see how it felt to be ar
| rested"
"I've good mind to let you see how
it feels to be pinched for disorderly
conduct" began the policeman. but
there was Il quick. unseen transfer OF
something from Douglas pocket to the
officers palm. and the threat died
away I'll n benign, Let this be lesson
to you," as the officer climbed off the
car
There were many curious glances d.
rected toward Douglas, but he met
them calmly and stared politely but
placidly ut the girl i'll the far corner.
He rose when she did and left the
car at the far crossing. but he fingered
ut drug store window, and it was not
until the girl was halfway down the
block that he caught up with her.
Bessie" he cried, won't you speak
to me? only got in last night and