The Marshall republican., 1907-12-06
BESSIE'S
PICKPOCKET
tCopyright.)
BY MARciE N. WILLIS

money, MT. feHlDTOhe sdiu' tttfo
careful. You will have quite a little
amount, and carry It safely, for Grant
lust told me that thieves and pick.
pockets are about. Some pretty seri.
our robberies have occurred lately, not
80 far from here. either"
Bessie Pembroke's blue eyes open.
ed widely. Bessie was only IL years
old and she was about to go to the
city 10 purchase several things for her
maiden aunt who was about TO be mar.
ried. DO you suppose ! should see
a real robber, a veritable highway.
man? That would be an adventure"
she said excitedly. How will he
look? What IL he like. anyway
Mr.. Pembroke smiled with amuse.
ment as he noticed the eager, inter.
ested expression on Bessie's face.
We'll, there's not much prospect OF
your meeting one" he said. but " you
should chance TO, you might find him
very polite and entertaining. In al
probability he would not be n~oticeably
different from any other stranger:
one would reasonably suppose there
would be nothing In dress or manner
10 particularly attract attention.
The next morning came bright and
clear, and Bessie Pembroke stood
upon the platform with Ter mother
and sister waiting for the train which
was TO take her on her eventful jour.
ney.
Take care Of yourself and be
sure to go and sec Cousin Annie
Helen called after her Az she hurried
into the car.
Bessie found an ~unoccupied seat.
and putting her cape and bag beside
her. settled herself comfortably as the
train steamed N. She took out e
book and soon became 10 interested
IN her story that she hardly noticed
as the conductor shouted the names
Of the way stations until Monmouth
Junction was called and several pas
scngers came aboard. The seats were
almost full. and. and AZ Bessie glanced
around to see how the newcomers
would fare n deep serious voice neal
her asked:
"wiil you allow me TO remove your
bag. miss. and take this seat3'
Bessie bowed assent. and raising her
eyes. saw q man. n trife above the me-
dun height. with a fine figure and q
face not handsome. but certainly pos'
sessing nm agreeable fascination that
made the girl glance shyly. up from
her book ut Il more than once during
the next half hour: there was nothing
about his attire foppish or snowy; his
clothes were OF finc material and In
good taste. and were protected by Q
dark gray ulster.
Placing his grip beneath the seat
and drawing n daily" from his pocket.
he NJ once became Immersed In the
news and oblivious, apparently. to al
that was going IN around him.
Thus some time passed. then Bee
sic closed her book and furtively
watched the stranger ut her side. She
began to wish he would say Some
thing: the journey seemed rather mo-
~notonous. She was becoming tired
and had an idea that he might be
quite entertaining II he chose. Pres
entity. as she made a slight movement,
her book slipped from her lap and fell
10 the floor. The gentleman at once
reached for II and returned II to her.
gIancing at the title as he did 80.
THE Lesvenworth Case" he said;
zone Of Katherine Green's produc'
lions. Are you fond Of detective
stories. miss2"
Bessie fancied that he looked at her
little oddly as he asked the Ques'
ton. Then he spoke OF different au-
fthors and their writings, OF foreign
sketches and travels, Truly he was
vastly entertaining and Bessie was an
appreciative and delighted listener.
Now II CHANGED that the seat direct.
" behind these two fellow travellers
was occupied by m elderly country
man and a young law student, and dur.
ing a pause In the conversation hes
sic heard the countryman remark;
"Well. I can't say as the administra.
ton IL to blame. but II strikes me
there IL a screw loose somewhere. OF
our oficials would show more prompt.
ness and energy In discharging their
duties"
fright you are, sir" responded the
young law aspirant. 1T IL remark.
able how negligent and dIlatory our
police and others In authority to carry
out the laws are. Why. I hear there
may be one or more burglars on this
very train, but I'll venture TO say
they'll ride unmolested, and likely
enough fleece some u~nBuspecting mas.
senger In the bargain"
Bessie Psmbroke's heart throbbed
wildly; her fathers words rushed into
her mind at once, and her hand stole
hastily into her pocket.
For . few moments imagination pic.
tured al the perils she might be In,
and which she was utterly powerless
10 avert; she could not change her
seat. a. the cars were crowded, 20