The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-12-05

shoulders, and above all, a firmfooted
but light tread. all OF which seemed to
HoltOn to indicate man misplaced.
He felt certain OF this moment
later, when the girl again lifted the
menu and the waiter stepped to the
corner Of the table. upon which the
gold bag lay. With quick snakelike
movement his hand shot out and seized
the bag. Then, hardly lifting his fin
gers from the table, he snapped his
wrist upward and the bag flew under
the lapel of his jacket, which had been
held open to receive it by the other
hand Another instant and he was in
front of the girl receiving her order
with the utmost sang froiG
Holton wasted no time in thought
Quickly springing up he approached
the young woman's table, and nodding
to her as to an old acquaintance, he
placed his hand lightly upon the wait
er's arm,
Wait 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 it mott"
The girl leaned forward with 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.
Holton smiled reassuringly and nod
ded.
please don't be alarmed" he said,
1T 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, If he were not
stupid he wouldn't be a waiter, you
know"
What do you mean, sir!" exclaimed
the man, flushing.
Holton laughed and frightened his
grip on the walters arm.
Come, come" he said. Take that
bag out of your coat and put it on the
table or III make a spread-eagie OF
you"
Give me my bag" said the girl, her
eyes flashing.
Without a word the waiter reached
his hand inside his jacket, and bring
ing forth the missing article, laid 1t on
the table.
There" he said, Il thought someone
had left it and was going to take II
to the desk"
Rats. commented Holton. do you
wish him arrested" he added, glanc
ing at the girl.
The young woman thought mo
ment and then shook her head.
NO, thank you, think not she
said. 81 should hate to appear in pro
ceedings, and after all, no harm hal
been done. 1t may be he was sincere
in removing the bag"
Holton regarded her sharply ant
saw that she really believed in thu
mans guilt, but was averse to carrying
the matter further.
"All right" he said, releasing hi
grip upon the walters arm. Now
then, you 90 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 eyi
scowl, and Holton bowed and wa
about to 90 to his table, when the cir
| smiled at him radiantly.
81 have not thanked you yet 10
your kindness" she said.
ooh, it was nothing at all. responde
Holton.
But It was" she insisted. "Tha
bag is very dear to me, and. besides
it contains things I should hate t
lose. am sorry that my father is nc
here to thank you, and yet in anothe
way am glad. He would scold m
for being awfully careless"
She was speaking in perfect Emf
lish, with just the faintest accent.
Perhaps So" granted Holton. The
he took the bit In his teeth. my nam
il Appleton," he said; I'm a lieutel
ant in the army"
"And l." she said, Jam Miss La To
sa. | think lat least, | remembe
seeing you at one Of the White Hous
receptions"
81 remember having seen you" lie
Holton, but | was trying to recall tn
place. | think we were introduced. L
Tossa," he unused.
"Oh, come, Mr.. APPLICABLE
Appleton" corrected Holton.
Thank you Mr. Appleton; LET
have done with beating about the bus
You have rendered me a great fave
tonight. and that Is quite sufficien
But you do not remember me. and
please do not try to make me tbir
you do" o
"All right" said Holton, 81 won
But-but you will not think me pr
sumlng II I said should like to-her
after"
II should like to have you know me
she said simply.
The unexpected nature OF this
mark quite endorsed the young Office
and for O. second no words came to b