Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-11-26
The Stolen
POrtenlOnnaie
She Forgave the Thief
Twice
BY LILLIAN SHARPE


train Presently she turned to a satchel
on the seat beside her. placed 1t on her
lap. opened 1t and took out her porte.
monnaie. which she laid In the place
where her satchel had been.
young man with curly auburn hair
and brown eyes was sitting Mt the 9th.
or end OF the scat and observed that
the girl had forgotten TO put her porte.
monnaie back into the satchel. He
kept his eyes ON her and 1t until sud.
denly railroad official called
Train for Hampton
The young lady started. glanced nj
the clock. saw that the hands stood at
fifteen minutes before her train time.
remembered that trains are opened 10
travellers some time before they leave
ard. erasping her satchel. hurried
away. Seeing the words Ticket OF.
hce" over a window. she remembered
that she had forgotten TO provide her.
self with ticket and. turning aside,
took position at the end OF a line of
several persons.
III that isn't just Hike a woman
sald the young man with auburn hair
10 himself. and. reaching for the porte
mounaie. he pat 1t In his pocket aud
followed her. taking position next to
her in the line. When II came her turn
70 purchase a ticket she asked for one
70 Hampton. at the same time opening
her satcheh First there was quick
movement OF the top articles. then
plunge Of the hand down into the bag.
after this a eontulsive stirring up OF
everything.
"Oh. heavens. I've been robhedr
Permit mc 20 pay your fare" said
the young man behind her. and. taking
ont his wallet. he bought 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 zine 10 Investigate the
loss OF your portemonnale and ii
would probably avail nothing II you
had Was there much Tn it?'
Only 1888. four postage stamps and
some samples"
what exactness, | wish | could re-
member things Ike that Never mind.
| have advanced the amount for your
ticket You haven't lost very much.
Good morning" And he lifted his hat
deferentially.
Now. the young man knew very well
the girl would not let him so without
asking his address that she might re-
turn his loan. She asked him for II,
and he said that 1t would be more CON
yenient for him TO give IL To her In the
train. SO the two went on. He handed
her on 10 the car. took a seat beside
her and, producing a card bearing his
name. Nathaniel Meriweather, wrote
his address on II and handed II TO her
Why. you live tn Hampton she
exclaimed
Il don't live there. but am going
there"
That he was going there was perfect
ly true. but when he had entered the
station he had just left be 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.. Meriwesther took up the mat
ter OF the lost portemonnaie.
Was any one" he asked. near you
while you we're in the stationT'
NO one near enough to get possess
sion OF anything that belonged to me.
Now, ! think Of II. some one was sit
ting on the other end OF the bench
while was waiting for the train"
Man or woman
Il think IL was a man"
Did you take out your portemonnaie
while he was therer'
Yes. did / tired OF waiting and
took out this magazine" She still held
II In her hand. TO do so was oblig-
ed to 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
backy"
Perfectly"
Then there can be no doubt about
the matter. The man who sat beside
you must have been an expert at
sieight OF hand and contrived to get
your pocketbook away from you. l
was in the station and saw man sit
ting beside you"
How careless of mel Could you
Identify the manT'
Il think could"
What was he likeY'
We'll. be was not very attractive
looking person. but wouldn't have
taken him for thief"
did you notice bis featuresT
II noticed one feature. He was
red headed chap"
The young lady cast side glance At
her companions hair.
Anything eiseT she asked
Nothing especial. He was looking
at you admiringiy. | wonder that he
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