Middletown transcript., 1907-04-13

ed the little group, passed and
stood there with a look of incred-
ulous horror on his face.
Annabel!
She looked up with a gasping
cry of LinweIl, and would have
fallen but for the officers ex-
tended arm.
Linwell Hoyt followed them in
to the station house.
Here's a girl caught picking
pockets, said the officer to the
sternfaced man behind the desk.
Linwell Hoyt sprang forward
eagerly. It's mistake! he said,
in clear, indignant tones. l know
this young girl well.
He was waved aside while the
stout woman made her com
! plant. Then Annabel, who was
pale and trembling, was allowed
to tell her story.
In low tones and with fearful
eyes she made her explanations,
showing her misplaced pocket in
evidence.
She had only tried to get her
I handkerchief, LII and her awkward
left hand had found its way into
the folds of her neighbor's dress.
Mrs. Mallock was sent for, and
the affair was speedily settled to
the satisfaction of all but the
stout woman, who went away
declaring the left-handed pocket
was only trick.
Linwell Hoyt observed the
colorless face and shabby dress
of the girl who had preferred life
alone in the city to life in Green
field with him.
His heart was moved with
pity, and when Mrs. Mallock
urged him to accompany them
home, he reluctantly assented.
Once in her apartments, the
worthy woman found some ex-
cuse for leaving the young
people alone.
Annahel, said Linwell, the
city's a hard place for poor
young girl.
That's just what Mrs. Mallock
said, answered Annabel. She's
the only friend I've got.
No, I'm your friend, said the
young man, gently. You don't
look happy, Annabel. Don't you
like it here?
Something impelled Annabel
to speak the truth. She raised
her clear blue eyes to his face.
I hate il, she said, passionately
I don't care if you do know it,
Linwell, and you may exult if
YOU like
Annabel, Annabel, would I ex-
ult over your disappointment and
misfortune? Why, poor little
girl, my heart went out to you
to-day when I saw you in that
awful plight. I wish you'd come
back to me.
Annabel looked up with brigh-
tening eyes, then her lids fell.
You don't! she ans wered.
You're sorry for me, that's all.
You can't forgive me.
But I do. l love you yet. I
think you care-you will come
back, Annabel, dear little girl?
His arm stole around her
waist and, unresisting, Annabel
allowed him to press her head
upon his shoulder and kiss her
lips.
Linwell, I am so sorry, she
murmured. But we must never
let any one know how we met.
No; but if you had not got in
to that plight I might never have
seen you. ] do not come to the
city once year.
And if I'd had to live here
alone another year in this mean,
cruel city, I should have died, re-
piled Annabel. Oh, / shall be so
happy to get back to Greenfield.
An hour later, when her lover
had gone, Mrs. Mallock hustled
into the room with needle and
thread.
Give me that skirt, Annabel,
she said. I'll fix that pocket this
night before sleep.
But Annabel laughingly waved
her back.
Don't touch it, she cried, gayly,
I wouldn't have that pocket
changed Tor anything-nO IN.
deed! Goodnight, Mrs. Mallock.
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