The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-10-21
TWO BLACK BAGS.
By LOUISE OLIVER.

| Lorimer Bancroft allowed the por-
ter to "whisk" his blue serge suit and
his hat Then he donned his over
coat and. turned around like a wealth
crock while the porter brushed that
! Lorimer handed him a dollar for
this innnitesimal service. which sum
was SO startling that the remainder
OF the passengers In the chair car
were treated TO scant courtesy in re-
turn for their quarters. Great was
the porter's haste to carry Lorimers
bags from the train.
The porter disappeared somewhere
with the bags as the train roared into
the shed. and Lorimer stopped to say
Few words to a fellow passenger
whose acquaintance he had made. The
train had been at a Standstill quite a
few minutes before the two men de-
scended.
The crowd OF hurrying passengers
was far ahead streaming through the
gates OF the station The newly-ar-
rived train was deserted. porters and
all. when the two men looked around
for their belongings. except for a girl.
who stood alone beside the car ahead.
Il suppose the man has taken my
things to the baggage room" said
Lorlmer. And the two men strolled
up the platform, continuing their
talk.
They came to the girl and passed
her. Then Lorlmer. who never failed
TO champion beauty in distress. scent
ed adventure and stopped.
That young lady seems to be LOOK
ing for some one to carry her grips.
The porters are nowhere around. so
think I'll go back. IL you don't mind,
and see IL i can help. No-don't wait
I can manage all she's got. ] guess
Stop in at the once when you get
time. Good-by."
The girl saw Lorirner return, but
just as he reached her she started UP
the platform. Lorimer began to say
something dreadful under his breath.
when his sense of humor triumphed
and he stopped for the bags. Shy"
he chuckled- Afraid the chap in the
plaid coat was going to firt with
her! Gone for help. Well. We will
just pick UP her things and tote EN-
along anyway Gee whiz, never
knew women's things weighed so
much! No wonder she couldn't carry
them"
The girl had a start OF ten yards
or so. but Lorimer. with long. easy
strides. soon covered the distance.
Then he kept respectfully at her heels
until she reached the station gates. |
She started for the checkroom./ then |
her mind and made for the
street
The bags. which had originally !
weighed twenty pounds apiece. now (
weighed nifty. and by the time she |
had reached q taxicab stand they /
weighed eighty.
Lorimer's sense of humor no longer
helped to assusge the aching OF his |
muscles
He set the bags on the ground and |
rubbed his crsmped biceps. Wouldn't |
you think she should throw a kind |
word to a poor dog! She hasn't vast
ID as much as smile on me since
We started"
The girl was rummasins through
Ter purse. Looking for an address,"
thought Lorimer. She evidently fail
ID to find what she sought for she
urned out all the contents into her
iand. Then she replaced the mixture
II papers and toilet accessories, and
continued on down the street.
Help. Where is she going now?"
4orimer's jaw dropped in amaze
nent- He looked after the girl. then
N his hands. The girl was walking
sster than before and he was likely
o fnd the trail more difficult in the
rowdsd streets.
"Trot along. Fido" he commanded
himself. blowing on his hands and
licking up the bags. Just follow
he missus! She's lost the address
nd we don't know where we are
DING. AS near as 1 can figure II.
I'll be the hospital in about ten min
ties. but IL l don't catch up now. and
eep the lady's buds. more'n likely II
'ill be the lookup"
Along went Lorimer after the girl
fe had shut his teeth hard. His
rms were pulling out Of the sockets.
Ireat drops OF sweat were rolling
own his face.
The girl was entering an office
when Lorimer determined to
nd the misery. Here's where the
-ail ends for Fidoi"
Setting the bags upon the mosaic
oor he approached the girl as she
'aited for an ascending elevator.
u beg your pardon" said he, lift
u his hat. II think I shall have to
irn your luggage over to an attend
NJ here, to manage for you. IL
ave a very pressing business en-
lgement and really must GO" He
ok out his watch to emphasize his
ords.
The pretty girl looked at the bags
establishment
You mean those bags"
Yes"
why. they are not miney'
Not yours Then whose under
10 canopy are theyr' asked Lorimer.
I'd as he spoke his eyes made .
Ipid survey Of tho offenders They
ere suspiciously familiar!
The girl started to laugh, then s
opped suddenly. Her face worked b
for minute. as she Il
ruggled to hide her amusement. n
IRE you the man I saw In the sta Z
ong' D
That same!" meekly. a
-And you followed me all this dis In
nee carrying those bags" q
Ditto" o
But why didn't you ask me-" d
They seemed to be yours. You
ere standing guard over them" 8
u knew they were not mine, and
ought that as some one had made
mistake and carried mine on ahead
had better stay beside the stray
Iss Father always says. In case or
mistake. to hold the wrong ones.
will eventually lead to the where