Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-11-01
MABEL,S PICkPOCKET
BY Lucy Montgomery

"Good-by, Mabel; take care of your.
SELF" said the fussy woman, kissing
the girl unce more
81 WILL" laughed the girl.
"And don't lose your diamonds,
DEAR" added the woman in a stage
whisper that could have been heard to
the other end Of the car. "Remem.
Der"
"Tll not forget, auntie," replied the
girl.
She clutched her handbag apprehen-
sively at the mention of the diamonds.
and l smiled to myself at the innocent
way she had betrayed their hiding
place.
If there had been a pickpocket on
the train he couldn't have wanted a
better tip.
After the train started I gazed
across the aisle at Mabel and could
scarcely conceal my admiration. She
had a perfect face and l thought I
never had seen a more innocent or
charming girl. All the sins and sor-
rows of life had left her untouched, l
thought, and sighed at the reflection
that I knew something of both.
Before many hours passed I had
managed to pick up a casual travelling
acquaintance with Miss Mabel-in
fact, l may say we had become friends,
as far as was possible without imper-
thence on my part or too great free.
dom on hers. She gave me two or
three little conidences-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 1t. The
only time she let the precious bag
leave her hand for a minute was when
she went into the dining a for sup
per and left it lying on the seat.
"That would be a ~pickpocket'a
chance-if there was one on the carp
l said to myself. 1t happened, how
ever, that at the moment the car was
empty, so I followed her into the din
ing car. 1t was not my business to
look after the bag.
After supper when I returned to
my seat I saw that she was searching
through her hand bag feverishly, and
that she was in great distress.
What has happened?" / inquired,
though I suspected the truth.
my diamonds" she gasped. 81
have lost them. I left them here
when / went into the dining car. And
now they are gone O, o, what shall
/ do? l will call the conductor"
mo-" / said, firmly, that is not
the best plan. The conductor knows
nothing about them, and If you raise
thief on guard. He would be sure
to escape, and you would see
your jewels again."
"Then, what shall I do?" she asked
laying a slender white hand on my
arm and looking at me so c%onfidingly
that l would have been a brute not tc
be touched.
Leave 1t to me-" l said. II will sec
that they are recovered. I am a rail
road detective"
ooh, how lucky!" she exclaimed.
/ comforted her all I could-whicf
! found TO be a most delightful task.
At Burlington / left the train, tell
ing her that / would take the mex
train back to Chicago in pursuit O
the thief. In fact, I permitted hel
to know that I gave up my journey or
purpose to take up the search after
her jewels, and she was sufficiently
grateful.
She gave me a card with her Omaha
address upon it, and also told me
where / could find her aunt in Chi
cago. promised to report twithin {
week.
She blushed and sighed so p~rettil,
when she babe me good-by at las
that my heart beat with unusua
visor.
-Four days later I sent her diamond.
to her by express, and, though
eve expected to see her again,
could not forbear expressing a little
of the tenderness I felt in the let
ter which l sent with the gems.
Really the beautiful and ~innocen'
girl had made a lasting impression OF
my heart. Never before had I per
mitted myself the luxury Of a tender
sentiment.
These were the last jewels / eve
stole.