The Mena weekly star., 1913-12-18

CTS 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, twas on this table. was it not?"
 The girl leaned forward with gasp
 "Why-why, yes" she said. Why it's gone" She looked up at Holton with startled eyes. Its gone" she re- peated her voice beginning to rise.
 Holton smiled reassuringly and nod ded
 Please don't be alarmed he said, 'it 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 or the wal er's arm.
 Come, come," he said. Take that bag out of your coat and put it on the table or I'll make a spread-eagle of you"
 Give me my bag" said the girl. hez 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, q thought someone had left it and I 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.
 'No, thank you, I think not" she said. q should hate to appear in pro ceedings. and after all, no harm has been done. It 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 gir smiled at him radiantly.
 q have not thanked you yet fol your kindness" she said.
 "Oh, it was nothing at all" responded Holton.
 But 1t was." she insisted. "Thai bag Is very dear to me. and, besides it contains things should hate tC lose. I am sorry that my father is no here to thank you. and yet in another way I am glad. He would scold me for being awfully careless"
 She was speaking in perfect Eng fish. with just the faintest accent.
 Perhaps so." granted Holton. Ther he took the bit in his teeth. My name is Appleton" he said; I'm lieuten ant in the army"
 And l." she said, lam Miss La Tos sa. I think lat least, I remember seeing you at one of the White Hous, receptions"
 q remember having seen you" lie( Holton. but was trying to recall th' place. think we were introduced. L; Tossa." he unused.
 "Oh. come, MT. Applegate-"
 Appleton" corrected Holton.
 Thank you. Mir. Appleton: let ui have done with beating about the bush You have rendered me a great favo tonight, and that is quite sufficient But you do not remember me, and 8, please do not try to make me thinl you do."
 All right" said Holton, q won't But-but you will not think me pre- suming if said should like to-here after"
 T should like to have you know me. she said simply. The unexpected nature of this re mark quite unhorsed the young officer and for a second no words came to hi tongue.
 Thank you" he said lamely. She regarded him in smiling silence
 But I'm afraid" she said then, "tha your knowledge will be limited to thi evening. I wish, really wish, 1t woul, be otherwise" She sighed "It woul, be so nice to be like other girls. Bu father and I are birds of passage, her, one day, there the next. l shall be S, glad to be home once more" 'Home?" Holton looked at her in | quiringly. Yes, my home is near Santiago. w are outside Cuabitas"
 Oh! Holton flushed for some req son or other. "Good-by, Mir. Appleton" she said ' am grateful to you-I am thankful -ou have been very good. But nov i1u must go. really"
 May mt call?' asked Iiolton. s recognize the informality of our mee, ng, and do not wish yoa to tnin ihe forward, but l really"
 T thank you, Mir Appleton sh said; but. no-these things canno be-"
 There was note of finality in he voice and trace of pathos, both 0 which Holton caught.
 "Of course, Miss La Tossa. shall as you say But am sorry" H paused. And will you please remeu Der this: If you ever need assistanc