Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1916-04-06
TWO BLACK BAGS
BY LOUISE OLIVER.


where with the bags as the train
roared into the shed, and Lorimer Ban
croft stopped to say few words to
fellow passenger whose acquaint-
ance he had made. The newly-arrived
train was deserted, porters and
for their belongings, except for girl.
who stood alone beside the car
ahead
Il suppose the man has taken my
things to the baggage room" said
Lorimer And the two men strolled
up the platform, continuing their
talk.
They came to the girl and passed
her. Then Lorimer, who never failed
to champion beauty in distress, scent
ed an adventure and stopped
That young lady seems to be look
ing for someone to carry her grips.
The porters are nowhere around, so
| think I'll go back. if you don't mind,
and see If / can help
The GAL saw Lorimer 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 fiirt with
her. Well, we will Just pick up her
things and tote EN- along anyway"
The girl had a start of ten yards
or 80, 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
changed her mind and made for the
street.
The bags which had originally
weighed twenty pounds apiece, now
weighed fifty, and by the time she
weighed eighty
Lorimer's sense OF humor no longer
helped to assuage the aching Of his
muscles. He set the bags on the
SIouiid anu tnbDth Ills VI
ceps. The girl was rummaging through
her purse. Looking for an address,"
thought Lorimer. She evidently failed
to find what she sought, for she re.
placed the mixture of papers and tot
let accessories, and continued on down
the street.
Help! Where is she going now"
Lorimer's jaw dropped in amaze
ment The girl was walking faster
than before and he was likely to find
the trail more difficult in the crowd
ed streets
"Trot along. Fido!" he commanded
himself, blowing 'on his hands and
picking up the bags. lust follow the
missus! She's lost the address and
we don't know where we are going"
Along went Lorimer after the girl
He had shut his teeth hard His
arms were pulling out of the sockets.
Great drops OF sweat were rolling
down his face.
The girl was entering an Office
building when Lorimer determined to
end the misery. Here's where the
trail ends for Ffdol"
Setting the bags upon the mosaic
floor he approached the girl as she
waited for an ascending elevator.
Il beg your pardon" said he lift
ing his hat ~ think | shall have to
turn your baggage over to an attend
ant here, to manage for you. II
have very pressing business engage
ment. and really must 60" He took
out his watch to emphasize his words
The pretty girl looked at the bags
in establishment.
Why, they are not minel"
mot yours! Then whose under the
canopy are they?" asked Lorimer, and
as he spoke his eyes made a rapid sur
sy OF the offenders. They were sus-
piciously familiar!
The girl started to laugh, then
stopped suddenly. Her face worked
conyulsively for minute as she
struggled to hide her amusement.
But why didn't you ask me?"
lHtg seeHeu 10 pc yours. GU
were standing guard over them
Il knew they were not mine. and |
thought that as someone had made
mistake and carried mine on ahead,
had better stay beside the stray ones.
Father always says, in case of a mis-.
take, to hold the wrong ones. 1t will
eventually lead to the whereabouts
of ones own belongings When | saw
you come for your bags / decided 1t
was useless TO remain there, and /
intended TO look for mine in the bag
gage room. But as | was tired and
hungry, | decided to send Bob. my
brother. TO do the investigating for
me. | couldn't imagine why you
were following me- ] was going to
take a taxi home. but found | hadn't
enough money. I'm going to dads
office for more now"
His bagsl The weight alone
should have been enough to identify
them One was packed full OF law
records. the other contained some fit
tings for his car. He had been bring.
ing them along TO save time
He looked around for a knothole,
and not seeing such a fortunate
means on escape, picked up his bags
and departed.