Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1911-07-22
He Took Her for a Theft
BY DANIEL WINSTON
Copyright by American Press Association, 1911

Perry Atkinson. Immediately dressed
and with pearl stickpin in his cravat.
WIS waiting on the platform Of a sea
side station at the height Of the sum-
mer season. A number Of persons we're
there. some TO receive friends. some to
see friends on. all waiting for a train.
when Il rolled up 70 the station At
kinson craned his neck with the rest.
like turkey gobbler hunting for some
favorable point to fy over a fence.
While thus looking up be suddenly
felt two arms thrown around his neck
and a pair Of lips pressed to bis.
Now. at this eSpecial resort. situated
not far from large city. we're many
different classes OF persons. from the
highest to the lowest. When Atkinson
felt himself in the embrace Of q wo-
man who was a stranger 10 him the
first explanation Of the situation that
entered his head was that It was q
game TO relieve him Of his money
DisengaginG himself as quickly as pos
sible. be clapped his hand TO his hip.
where be kept his pncketb0ok. He
was relieved TO find the wallet there
Then be instinctively felt for his pearl
scarfpin. and II was gone!
BY this time the woman who had
emhrared nina giri Of twenty-wss
standing looking at him With q puz-
zled expression which. as she gazed.
developed into one Of horror
- greatly fear" she stammered.
''that have made a mistake"
"You certainly have made a mistake
II you take me for a 'dat. You hand
out my stickpin mighty quick or Ill
call the police"
At this the girl put on an expression
TO describe which language is made
duate Her face was scarlet: her eyes
flashed alternate Indignation and fear
Then suddenly Atkinson made dive
for her skirt. where be saw his scarf
pin hanging. and caught IL as II was
about to fall 70 the ground. Putting II
IN its proper place. be gave the girl q
final glance and was about 70 turn
away when she said:
"I)O you mean to tell me that you
are not Ben willard"
Il don't know the gentleman"
"You are the image Of him." the girl
added ready TO burst into tears.
Atkinson gave her another look as Il
undecided whether 10 apologize or say
something harsh. then walked away
very much disgruniled While be had
been thus engaged a friend be had
come TO the station TO receive bad es
capped him Az he walked to the sum
mer residence where be was staying
be began 20 see the episode in its true
proportions and TO become conscious
of having made a guy OF himself Be
fore the day was over he regretted moi
having apoloGized 10 the girl and long
cd for an opportunity 10 undo what be
bad done
The next time Mr.. Atkinson met tbs
young lady whom he had mistaken FOL
a thief he was danring the cotillior
a. one Of the cottages" A line Of
ladies' was advancing toward . line
of gentlemen and as the lines met tbs
first gentleman whirled away with tbs
FIRST lady In the coming line OF ladies
Atkinson suddenly eSpied the heroine
Of the stickpin This In itself was EN-
barrassing. but Wnen he counted tbs
men ahead Of him and the ladies
ahead Of the girl In question and dis
covered that she would fall TO him FOL
partner his heart sank down into this
heels Of his patent leather boots
When the couples ahead OF them
Vere reduced 10 three Atkinson saw
ne girls eyes fixed upon him and
Murdered He saw by her expression
bat she was about to take her re
enge. When all those who had pre-