Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-11-27

something. passing phases OF facial ex-
preston, a certain movement OF the
shoulders, and above all. a firm-footed
bat light tread. all of which seemed to
Holton to indicate man misplaced.
He felt certain of this a 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 1t 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
placed his hand lightly upon the wait
er's arm.
Wait moment" said Holton pleas
antly.
The girl in the meantime had been
staring at the young ofiicer 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 gasp.
"Why-why, yes" she said. why
it's gone" She looked up at Holton
with startled eyes. ITS gons." she re-
peated. her voice beginning to rise.
Holton smiled reassuringly and nod
ded.
please don't be alarmed" he said.
ut 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, II 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 1t on the
table or I'll make spread-eagls 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 1t and | was going to take it
to the desk"
Rats" commented Holton. DO you
wish him arrested2" he added. glanc-
ing at the girl.
The young woman thought a 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 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
the matter further.
IAN 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.
81 have not thanked you yet for
your kindness" she said.
"Oh. 1t 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 &c
lose. am sorry that my father is not
here to thank you, and yet in another
way l 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. Their
he took the bit in his teeth. MY name
is Appleton" he said: I'm a lieuten
ant in the army"
And l." she said, am Miss La Tos
sa. I think lat least. / remember
seeing you at one OF the White House
receptions"
II remember having seen you," lice
Holton, but was trying to 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 a great favor
tonight. and that is quite sufficient
But you do not remember me. and sc
please do not try to make me thinl
you do"
"All right" said Holton. 81 won't
But-but you will not think me pre-
suming II said should like to-here
after"
II should like TO have you know me.
she said simply.
The unexpected nature of this re
mark quite unhorsed the young officer