Washington telegraph., 1908-01-03
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BESSIE'S J
PICKPOCKET !
-. - q
BY hfAR6IE NJ. WILLIS I;
r
BY MAReIE NJ. WILLIS
NV
(Copyright.)

Just lOlu lllc iitett thiS'SS
rockets are about. Some pretty seri'
our robberies have occurred lately, not
so far from here. either
Bessie Pembroke's blue eyes open.
ed widely Bessie was only 10 years
old and she was about to go to the
CITY to purchase several things for her
maiden aunt who was about to be mar
ried. DO you suppose | should see
real robber. veritable highWags.
man? That would be an adventure,
She said excitedly. How VIII ne
look? WHAT is he like. anyway
Mr.. Pembroke smiled with amnse-
ment as he noticed the eager, inter-
ested expression on Bessie's race
We'll. there's not much prospect OF
your meeting one" he said, but Il you
should chance to, you might Ind MN
very polite aud entertaining IN al
probability he would not be Dotieeapis
different from any other stranger
one would reasonably suppose there
would be nothing in dress or manner
to particularly attract attention.
The next morning came bright ana
clear and Bessie Pembroke stood
upon the platform with her motnef
aud sister waiting for the train when
was to take her on her eventful jour
ney.
"Take care of yourself and be
sure to go and see Cousin Annie
1Ialen called after her as she hurried
into the car
Bessie found an unoceupled seat,
and putting her cape and bag beside
her settled herself comfortably as the
train steamed on. She took out her
book and soon became 50 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
senaers came aboard. The seats were
almost full, and, and as Bessie glanced
around to see how the newcomers
would fare deep serious voice near
her asked.
-rssssil you allow me to remove your
bag, miss, and take this seat?'
Bessie bowed assent, and raising her
eyes. saw a man, a tfiae above the me-
dium height. with fine figure and a
face not handsome, but certainly pos
sessing an agreeable fascination that
made the girl glance shyly up from
her book at it more than once during
the next half hour; there was nothing
about his attire foppish or snowy; his
clothes We're of fine material and in
good taste, and were protected by a
dark gray ulster.
Placing his grip beneath the seat
and drawing daily" from, his pocket.
lie at once became immersed in the
news and oblivious, apparently, to all
that was going on around him.
Thus some time passed, then Bes-
sic closed her book and furtiyely
watched the stranger at 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 if he chose. Pres
emily. as she made slight movement
her book slipped from her lap and fell
to the floor The gentleman at once
reached for it and returned it to her,
glancing at the title as he did SO.
The Leayenworth Case he said;
lone of Katherine Green's produc-
tions. Are you fond of detective
etories. miss?'
Bessie fanced that he looked at her
little oddly as he asked the cues.
ton. Then he spoke of different au-
thors and their writings. of foreign
sketches and travels. Truly he was
vastly entertaining and BESSIE was an
apnreciative and delighted listener
Now it Glanced that the seat direct
ly benin! these two fellow travellers
was occupied by an elderly country
man and young law STUDENT. and dur
ing a pause in the conversation Bes
sic heard The couCtgyman remark
'Wen cant say as the administra-
tion is to blame, but it strikes me
there is a screw loose somewhere, or
our officials would show more prompt
moss aud energy in diseharging their
duties
Right you are, sir" responded the
Young law aspirant 1T is remark.
able how negligent and dilatory our
oice and nthos in authority to carry
DOT tte laws are. Why | hear there
may b9 one or more burglars on this
very train, but Ill venture to say
taeyll ride uamolested and likely
enough fleece some unsuspecting pas
niger in the bargain"
nessie Pembrokes heart throbbed
= fdh her fathers words rushed into
he~ d.. at once and her hand sto;e
} ast''y nto her pocket.
Fst few moments imagination pic
t4uct al Inc perils she might bp in