The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-07-17
The ORANGE
sy LOUISE OLIVER.

Lucia stopped at Tony's fruit stan'
on her way home and bought dozeI
oranges. II was raining, and beside
two other packages che had an UNI
brella TO manage against a strong
wind.
Gradually the bag softened with the
dampness and clung like plaster 4
the round. yellow spheres within A
tiny crack appeared, widened length
ened, and the whole dozen oranges cat
apulted into the street as though shot
out Of machine gun.
Mike Kubelik, carter for Sellem &
Hatch, was hauling a wagonload OF
oranges from the Bay street market
TO West end branch. Crossing South
avenue, rear wheel caught in car
track and came off. And Immediately
there was an avalanche OF oranges In
all directions.
Now when Lucia's bag broke, she.
too, was crossing South avenue, and,
moreover, 1t was at the same instant
that Mike lost a wheel SO she looked
down to see, not dozen, but hundrede
Of dozens OF oranges roll about her
feet
Already half dozen urchins had
gathered around and were filing
Jacket pockets as fast as they could
Mike, with fist, whip and many ours
tngs, was doing the best he could to
defend his treasure, but 1t was futile.
Lucia, seeing no chance of reviving
her bag into semblance OF use, de-
cided to use her umbrella as a recep-
tacle and closed IT, Then she stopped
and started deliberately to count
dozen oranges into its silk recesses.
III therel" Mike came up bellig-
erently fiourishing his weapon. you
putta dem down"
Mike reached for the umbrella Just
as man stepped between them and
put out a restraining hand
Let the lady alone" he said quietly
At the tone OF authority Mike stepped
back without another word and his
whip fell
go and attend to those boys and I'll
get policeman to help you, the new
conner said, and to Lucia, Have you
got all your property? If so. I'll help
you out Of this"
Il think have. It was hard count
Ing with that man shaking his fist I'M
der my nose," she laughed. THE or
anges are all here in my umbrella"
But it's raining hard. Youll get
soaked"
I've no other place to put them"
What's the matter with these deep
pockets in my coat?"
But you mustn't go home with me.
/ live-oh, ever 30 far"
80 much the better. There, and
there, and there, and therei / guess
I've got them ALL" raising the UNI
brella.
At the door the oranges had to be
transferred. Wont you come in?'
asked Lucia. I'm get a dish for
them" So the man went in and they
emptied the fruit into a black-and- /
white china bowl
"Thirteenl" he exclaimed. "By Jove,
we've cheated the dago."
The man divided the odd orange
carefully in two parts and gave her
half
In movies, he remarked, they tear
cards, or smash shells and each takes
q piece. A sort of kismet, you know.
for each of the two contracting par
ties. Now why not an orange skin.
Seel"-ftting two pieces together.
you take one and I'll take the other.
To keep as long as we livel" solemnly.
When her gallant defender had de-
parted, it suddenly occurred to Lucia
that she did not even know his name.
A week passed Busy days for Luz
cia, as all days were, but not too busy
for many thoughts OF her recent ac-
quaintance and his identity. But she
was to have shock. One evening she
opened the paper, and there on the
first page was the picture of the mani
Below It she read. "One of the sus-
poets arrested in connection with the
Alison jewel case The man, who
gives his name as John Emerson. was
seen coming out Of the alley in the
rear Of the residence at $3.50 Thursda,
evening and he could not explain his
presence there, although it was doz- s
an blocks away from his lodgings and
place of business"
Tuesday, That was the night he
had taken her homel And $50 was /
about the time he had left her. The i
alley in question was between her r
street and the Allisons'. He had prob s
IDLY been taking a short cut home! S
But why had he not told them his a
srrand? G
Lucia thought over all the details. a
md the orange skin popped into her o
lead. She would send il to him and g
lie would not refuse to see her, she Il
new oi
An hour later. among grim surround ST
ngs, Lucia was shown into a little HI
White room, aid John Emerson came rs
D a moment later. n
why didn't you tell them where II
ou were last Tuesday," was her W
reathless greeting. This Is terrible" n
7 couldn't without bringing your cl
anne into Il and thought I'd rather as
e convicted than have your name III