The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1913-12-10
The Stolen
POrtemonnaie
She Forsave the Thief
Twice
ny LILLIAN SHARPE

A young lady sat in waiting room
at railway station watching the
clock as its hands moved slowly to.
ward the time Of departure of her
train. Presently she turned to satcheI
on the seat beside her, placed it on her
l1np, opened 1t and took out her porte
nonnaie, which she laid in the place
? where her satchel had been.
A young man with curly auburn hair
and brown eyes was sitting at the 9th.
er end Of the seat and observed that
the girl had forgotten to put her porte
monnaie back into the satchel. He
kept his eyes on her and it until sud-
denly railroad official called.
"Train for Hampton"
The young lady started. glanced at
the clock, saw that the hands stood at
fifteen minutes before her train time
remembered that trains are opened to
travellers some time before they leave
and. grasping her satchel, hurried
away. Seeing the words Ticket OF.
flee" over window. she remembered
that she had forgotten to provide her
self with ticket and, turning aside,
took position at the end Of line of
several persons.
IF that isn't just ike a womanw
said the young man with auburn hair
to himself. and, reaching for the porte
monnaie. he put It in his pocket and
followed her, taking position next to
her in the line. When 1t came her turn
to purchase a ticket she asked for one
to Hampton. at the same time opening
her satchel. First there was quick
movement Of the top articles. then
plunge Of the hand down into the bag.
after this convuIsive stirring up of
everything.
"Oh. heavens. I've been robbedv'
Permit me to pay your fare" said
the young man behind her. and. taking
out his wallet. he bought a ticket for
her and one for himself Then they
both made room for those behind them.
What shall do" walled the girl.
You had better get aboard the train.
You haven't time to investigate the
loss Of your portemonnaie. and it
would probably avail nothing If you
had, Was there much in it?''
"Only $7.53. four postage stamps and
some samples"
"What exactness! wish could re-
member things like that. Never mind.
have advanced the amount for your
ticket. You haven't lost very much.
Good morning." And he lifted his hat
deferentially.
y Now, the young man knew very well
the girl would not let him go without
asking his address that she might re-
turn his loan. She asked him for it.
and he said that 1t would be more con-
venient for him to give it to her in the
train. so the two went on. He handed
her on to the car. took seat beside
her and. producing card bearing his
name. Nathaniel Meriweather. wrote
his address on 1t and handed 1t to her.
why. you live in Hampton" she
exclaimed.
II don't live there, but I am going
there"
That he was going there was perfect
ly true. but when he had entered the
station he had just left he had no such
intention. He was going to his home.
fifty miles beyond.
"But you have given your street and
number there"
That's the address of friend"
The girl put the card in her satchel.
and Mr.. Meriweather took up the mat
ter of the lost portemonnaie.
WAS any one" he asked, near you
while you were in the stationT
mo one near enough to get posses
sion of anything that belonged to me-
Now. think OF 1t, some one was sit
ting on the ether end of the bench
while was waiting for the train"
Man or wOmanr'
81 think it was a man."
ibid you take out your portemonnaie
while he was thereY'
"Yes. ! did. tired Of waiting and
took out this magazine" She still held
1t in her hand. ''ro do so was oblig
ed &c remove the portemonnaie and |
some other things which laid beside |
me. After getting out the magazine |
put them all back again into the bag"
"Are you sure you put them all
back?"
Perfectly"
'Then there can be no doubt about
the matter. The man who sat beside
you must have been an expert at
sleight Of hand aud contrived to get
your pocketbook away from you.
was in the station and saw a man sit |
ting beside you"
"How careless Of me! Could you
identify the manY
IL think could"
what was he liker'
"Well. he was not a very attractive
looking person. but I wouldn't have
taken him for thief"
did you notice. his features?"
II noticed one feature. He was
red headed chap"
The young lady cast side glance at
her companions hair.
Anything else?" she asked.