The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-10-17

something, passing phases OF facial e1
preston, a certain movement Of tn
shoulders, and above all. firm-foote
but light tread. all OF which seemed I
Holton 10 indicate a man misplaced
He felt certain OF this a momen
| later. when the girl again lifted tn
menu and the walter stepped to tn
corner OF the table. upon which tn
gold bag lay. With a quick snakelik
movement his hand shot out and seizet
the bag. Then, hardly lifting his fin
| gers from the table, he snapped hi
wrist upward and the bag flew undel
the lapel OF his jacket, which had beer
held open TO receive IL by the othel
hand. Another instant and he was in
front OF the girl receiving her order
with the utmost sang froid.
Holton wasted no time In thought
Quickly springing up he approached
the young woman's table. and noddinf
to her as to an old acquaintance, he
placed bis hand lightly upon the wait
er's arm.
Walt a moment" said Holton pleas
antly.
The girl IN the meantime had been
staring at the young officer in wide
eyed wonderment.
"What-what does this mean?" she
asked finally.
Your bag" said Holton quietly,
was on this table, was 1t not?"
The girl leaned forward with a gasp.
"Why-why, yes." she said. Why
it's gone" She looked up at Holton
with startled eyes. IT'S gone" she re-
peated. her voice beginning to rise.
Holt0n smiled reassuringly and nod
ded.
please don't be alarmed" he said.
at is all right" He turned to the
waiter. This man evidently regarded
your bag as among the debris to be
cleared from the table. Rather stupid.
OF course, but then, ie he were not
stupid he wouldn't be a waiter. you
know"
What DO you mean, sir!" exclaimed
the man. flushing.
Holton laughed and tightened his
grip on the walters arm.
Come, come" he said Take that
bag out of your coat and put II on the
table or III make a spread-eagle of
you"
Give me my bag" said the girl, her
eyes flashing.
Without word the waiter reached
his hand inside his Jacket, and bring
ing forth the missing article, laid IL on
the table
There" he said, Il thought someone
had left it and | was going to take 1t
to the desk"
Rats" commented Holton. do you
wish him arrested?" he added. glanc-
ing at the girl.
The young woman thought a mo-
ment and then shook her head.
mo, thank you, think not" she
said. 81 should hate to appear in pro-
ceedings. and after all. no harm has
been done 1t may be he was sincere
in removing the bag"
Holton regarded her sharply and
saw that she really believed in the
mans guilt. but was averse to carrying
the matter further.
"All right" he said, releasing his
grip upon the walters arm. Now,
then. you go and attend to your duties
and be sure you don't put any poison
in this young lady's food"
The waiter turned away with an evil
scowl. and Holton bowed and was
about to go to his table, when the girl
smiled at him radiantly.
IL have not thanked you yet for
your Kindness" she said
oh It was nothing at all, +" responded
Holton.
But II was" she insisted THAT
bag is very dear to me, and, besides,
IL contains things | should hate TO
lose. am sorry that my father is not
here to thank you, and yet in another
way | am glad. He would scold me
for being awfully careless"
She was speaking in perfect Eng
lish. with just the faintest accent.
Perhaps so." granted Holton. Then
he took the bit in his teeth. My name
is Appleton" he said; I'm a lieuten-
ant in the army"
sAnd l." she said "am Miss La Tos-
sa. think lat least. remember
seeing you at one OF the White House
receptions"
II remember having seen you" lied
Holton, but was trying 10 recall the
place. | think we were introduced. La
Tossa." he mused.
"Oh. come. Mr.. Applegate-"
Appleton" corrected Holton.
Thank you, Mr.. Appleton; let US
have done with beating about the bush
You have rendered me great favor
tonight. and that is quite sufficient
But you do not remember me. and so
please do not try TO make me think
you do"
"All right" said Holton. II won't
YOU will not think me pre-
suming II said I should like to--here-
after"
Il should like to have you know me-"
she said simply.
The unexpected nature OF this re-
mark quite unhorsed the young officer,