The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-08
The PEARLS
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

friend OF Frederick, a senior in the
latter's freshman year and much old
er. But they had had a life-saving
seance one -eithersFrederick had
saved Sylvester or the other way
round-but it had cemented the friend
ship, so it doesn't matter.
Since then Sylvester Smith had
been frequent visitor at the Prices
and Phyllis was afraid of him, al
though he was big and handsome and
very nice, indeed He had sent candy /
to Phyllis at school until the string i
of little brass spoons that came in
each box reached from the chandelier
to the floor and Phyllis was confront I
ed by dyspepsia. But she knew that I
he thought of her only as Fred's lit /
tie sister, and it ranked The worst I
OF it was that graduating and long
dresses and just lately her coming
out party had not made bit OF diff |
ference to him. He seemed to think
her as much of a child as ever, and
it was humiliating, to say the least,
to have him happen here just now
Phyllis sat belligerently silent while
the others related narrowing incidents
of train robberies and hapless maid
ems who lost things
But men can be robbed as easily
as girls she cut in finally, and they
are. too"
Sylvester came to the rescue-that
is, Phyllis thought he was going to
when he began. He looked so big and
mol Cfa 7, he. - he
blazing logs, his hands behind him
i do not believe you need to be
alarmed about Phyllis taking her jew
elry with her. But, after all, Mr..
Price, l have better plan / am go
ing to Providence myself on Friday
on some insurance business and shall
be delighted to play messenger. 1
will take Phyllis pearls if you like,
The very thing" nodded Mrs Price
approvingly
Bully" commended Frederick
That is a fine idea" assented Mr.
Price.
Phyllis flung out OF the room. She
had been betrayed.
Phyllis took the Friday morning
train. Frederick said "Good-by'' as
the train pulled out of the station
At the same moment, man catapult-
ed on to the platform at the opposite
end of the car. Still painting from his
exertion, he glanced at the section
numbers and dropped himself into the
seat directly in front Of Phyllis, with
out noticing her. But Phyllis had a
distinct shock when she recognized
| Sylvester Smith.
A sudden suspicion dawned upon
her. 81 will bet nickel some OF my
blessed family asked him to look after
me" Then, after few minutes she
decided that he was making no effort
! to locate her. He was evidently alb.
/ sorbed in a book
Very well, then. l shall just ex-
actly not let on that l am" Phyllis
caught her breath and sat uD very
straight. Thrown over the back OF
his own seat was the mans overcoat
folded wrong side out and a fat, in
teresting-looking wallet was projecting
an inch or SO from a pocket.
Phyllis giggled. Then, making sure
| that no one was watching, she changed
her seat to the one facing her. She
laid her head against the overcoat
and, pretending to arrange her hair
drew the wallet deity from its rest
ing place and slid it into her bag.
On Saturday night the Linsters
were giving q ball in honor of Phyllis
All day Sylvester had not appeared
He came, wild eyed and excited, just
as the guests were arriving. A serv
ant showed him into the smoking
room, and Phyllis. beautiful but jewel
less, came to life there.
Phyllis he cried, q have los
them"
Not the pearls,' she protested
Yes. They were stolen, think, CT
the train. / have hunted all night ant
all day. The police haven't a clue
There seems to be no hope. / naC
them with most of my money in M
wallet. The whole business is gone
What will you think of me-"
Phyllis looked at him silently a mo
ment. Her head was very nigh anC
his was bowed with dismay. He
heart was beating wildly, but on hel
lips was little triumphant smile
Here was this big. strong, DOMINATING
masculine afraid of the baby Sh.
wanted to kiss him and slap him a
the same time.
Well she said finally, with a sign
I guess it cannot be helped. Then
1mpulsively: Let's ask the fortune
: teller. They have one tonight in
tent in the conservatory. Maybe sh'
will give US a clue"
Sylvester was puzzled. He had ex
, pected a storm of tears. But 1 can
| not stay in these clothes" he pro
tested.
"Oh, yes, you can. Jimmy Linste
will take you upstairs to his room an
rig you up. Meet me in the conserva
tory in half an hour. / will sem