Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-11-08
which left an entirely different impres
sion on the lady.

i wv uOb hboW you. olhp QUO Oh
swered In a well bred voice, the ca
dence Of which thrilled her susceptible
admirer to the full Of his rapidly beat
ing heart. You have probably mis-
taken me for another person" Her
eyes rested meditatively upon an ap-
preaching aoorwalker.
81 know we have never met" began
Rawlins namely, "but-but"-
AT an almost imperceptible sign
from the girl the 6oorwalker Joined
them.
This gentleman" began the girl dis
tantly. thinks he knows me. He
doesn't" She paused suggestively.
The 6oorwalker. wise Of his kind,
eyed the attorney with small favor.
"You had better 90. sir. else BE,
too, ended his sentence with an elo-
quent stop.
Rawlins. despite his keen admiration
for the girl. was angry.
zone moment" he said authorita-
lively to the official He turned again
to the girl
perhaps you recognize this" he
asked and held the watch before her
eyes
The maid gazed at It with some Gu
riosity. 81 do not" she said. ITO my
knowledge. have never seen It before
In my life. Are you the-er-otticial
propounder Of enigmas here?
The sarcasm was lost on the de
spondent Rawlins. who. with the iron
hand Of the foorwalker on his arm.
was being rapidly escorted toward the
door
I'm giving you chance" explained
the latter. although l hadn't ought to.
The bosses here haven't any time for
fresh guys who antagonize the trade"
An elderly woman with gray hair
and faded blue eyes came hurrying
after the pair and touched the defect
ed lawyer on the arm.
Just moment" she began breath
lessly. my niece has been telling me
about it You-you must have my
watch"
81 knew it." interrupted the floor
walker. 81 knew 1t from the start.
madam. He's dip old offender
probably II you'll just step into the
office I'll see that you recover your
property without any fuss. and we'll
send this party down."
The woman stared.
"You are rather otticious. This gen.
tleman was attempting to do my niece
a favor He is no pickpocket. l am
sure of that" She spoke coldly.
She turned to Rawlins. Tell me-
was the watch you wished to return
set with three diamonds and did II
contain n little miniature"
Rawlins nodded Il happy assent. The
girl had Joined them. The youth noted
with an apprecative eye the embar
rassed flush dotting her cheeks.
"This Is your property" came from
Rawlins Once again he took the
watch from his pocket. and the eager
hands Of the older woman accepted It,
"Oh. how can ever thank your
she gasped ut really is my watch?
She turned to Rawlins. And you rec
ornized my niece from the little pic
ture?"
Again the happy youth nodded
Words were beyond him.
but how did you get it?" she asked
wonderinrly ~ saw that great. rat
thief who grabbed 1t from my hands
run AID jump on street car. and al
though promptly reported the mat
,rr Ia The police really had given up
expecting the return Of the trinket
long ago.
ut was my first day In the city"
she continued. II live In New Orleans.
YOU must know, and l am only visit
ing here. Marie-she is my sister
worries 80 over tribes that I didn't tell
her. Really, I never expected to see
1t again. r.
"But why don't you allow the gen.
tleman to answer your question,
auntie? laughingly interrupted the
girl.
Upon Rawlins great light had
dawned. The good natured heavy
weight seated on his right in the car
had been the pickpocket who had
stolen the watch Evidently fearing
capture. he had shifted the thing upon
Rawlins and taken the cheaper time
piece Of the attorney in return.
"lt's long story" explained the
almost too long to tell here.
I am a lawyer. with Offices just across
the way" He handed the older wom-
on card. "If might suggest
"You must ride home with US IN our
carriage" eagerly interrupted the
aunt. land explain in detail. Really
wouldn't miss the story for the
watch. Or perhaps" she amended.
"you can't spare the time just now7"
Rawlins glanced at the red checked
girl.
~ will be pleased to ride home with
you." be said.