Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1913-11-28
There was a hidden

shoulders, and above all, a Hrm-fOOted
but light tread, all of which seemed to
Holton to indicate a 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 snakelihe
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 few 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 frOid.
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
er's arm.
wait 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 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.
Holton smiled reassuringly and nod
ded.
please don't be alarmed" he said,
sit 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 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 I'll make q spread-eagle 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 it on
the table.
There" he said, II thought someone
hoI 1af IN RI
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
mo, thank you, think not" she
said. Il 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.
II have not thanked you yet for
-FOUR Kindness" she said.
"Oh, it was nothing at ALL" responded
Holton.
But it was" she insisted. "That
bag Is very dear to me, and, besides,
it contains things l should hate to
lose. l 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 lieuten-
ant in the army"
And l." she said, "am Miss La Tos-
sa. l think lat least, 1 remember
seeing you at one of the White House
receptions"
Il remember having seen you," lied
Holton, "but was trying to recall the
place. l think we were introduced. La
Tossa." he mused
"Oh, come, Mr.. APPLICABLE"
Appleton" corrected Holton.
Thank you, Mr.. Appleton; let us
have done with beating about the bush.
You have rendered me a 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, 81 won't.
But-but you will not think me pre-
Stunning If said I should like to-here-
after"
Il should like to have you know me.
she said simply.
The unexpected nature or this re
mark quite endorsed the young officer.