The Cairo bulletin., 1907-10-01
MABEL's PICKPOCKET
BY Lucy Montgomery

Good by, Mabel; take care OF your
SELF" said the fussy woman, kisSin
the girl once more.
Il viii" laughed the girl
"And don't lose your Diamonds
dear" added the woman in STAG,
whisper that could have been heard &
the other end of the car. "Ramem
Der"
'Tn not forget, .alntlc," replied tht
girl.
}. She clutched her handbag apprehcn
sively at the mention Of the diamonds
and smiled to myself al the Innocen
way she had betrayed their hlalas
place.
If there had been a pickpocket or
the train he couldn't have wanted
better tip
After the train started gazed
across the aisle at Mabel and could
scarcely conceal my admiration. She
/ had a perfect face and thought
! never had seen more innocent OF
| charming girl, All the sins and sor-
rows Of life had left her untouched,
thought. and sighed at the reflection
that knew something of both.
Before many hours passed had
managed TO pick up a casual travelling
acquaintance with Miss Mabel-in
fact. may say we had become friends,
as far as was possible without inner
thence on my part or too great free
dom on hers. She gave me two or
three little confidences--it always
having been my good fortune TO be
trusted by women--but she said moth
Ing about her diamonds, and | pre-
tended not TO know that she had them
in her handbag 1t amused me to see
how faithfully she chung to it, The
only time she let the precious bag
leave her hand for a minute was when
she went into the dining car for sup
per and left it lying on the seat
THAT would be piekpocket's
chanee-if there was one ON the carr"
said 10 myself 1t happened, how
ever. that at the moment the car was
empty, so I followed her into the din
ing car. Ii was not my business to
look after the bag.
After supper when | returned to
my seat saw that she was searching
through her hand bag feverishly, and
that she was in great distress,
What has happened?" | inquired,
though suspected the truth.
My diamonds" she gasped. II
have lost them | left them here
when went into the dining car. And
now they are gone. o, 0. what shall
do? will call the conductor"
No | said, firmly, that is not
the best plan. The conductor knows
nothing about them, and If you raise
an alarm you simply will put the
thief on guard lie would be sure
TO escape. and you never would see
your jewels again"
Then. what shall dor" she asked,
laying slender white hand on my
arm and looking at me so confldingly
that would have been brute not to
be touched.
Leave it to me- said. Il will see
that they are recovered. / am a rail
road detective"
"0h. how ueky!" she exclaimed.
comforted her all could-which
I found to be most delightful task.
AT Burlington left the train, tell. |
ing her that would take the next
train back to Chicago in pursuit of
the thief In fact, | permitted her
to know that gave up my journey on
purpose 10 take Mp the search after
her jewels, and she was sufficiently /
She gave me card with her Omaha I
address upon it, and also told me I
where could find her aunt in Chi !
cago. promised to report twlthin a
week
She bushed and sighed so prettly
when she babe me good.by at last
that my heart beat with unusual
ylgor.
Four days later sent her diamonds
to her by express, and, though
never expected to see her again,
.ould not forbear expressing a little
Of the tenderness l felt In the let
er which | sent with the gems.
Really the beautiful and innocent
girl had made a lasting impression on
ny heart. Never before had per-
nitted myself the luxury of a tender
sentiment.
These were the last jewels | ever
,tole.