The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-10-06
ELEVATOR EPISODE
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

"Hello, kiddo; how's the world 60
Ing with you these daysT
Marion started. Undeniably, these
words we're addressed to her, as she
was the only occupant of the elevator,
bes' -es its operator.
She looked up into pair Of very nice
blue eyes, then at the thatch of maize
colored hair below a gray unvisored
cap, and at the straight alert figure
buttoned up to the chin In jacket of
severe military cut.
"Oh, pretty we'll" she answered with
smile. Marion's smile was very
sweet. "How about your"
"Same as usual. Too long hours and
too small pay, but pretty good. at
that"
The elevator slid down another
floor, slowed, stuck and started again.
Then 1t slowed again and jerked to a
standstill-between floors.
"Good graciousl" said Marion impa-
Etiently. "What's wrong?"
"Dont ask me. Powers of, sup
pose"
ut certainly is most annoying"
"Sorry. Got a date?'
"whatw IN ,
"Got a date-engagement?"
Marion laughed In spite of herself.
!"No, it isn't that. have some business
Ito attend to for Mr.. Marshall"
"John Marshall! Do you work for
him2 He's district attorney, amt
he"
Eyes"
"Well, If he's as hard on his office
people as he is on the poor people he's
always prosecuting he'd be lemon to
work for"
Marion decided this was too good to
keep. She'd have to tell her brother
John how he stood with the people.
"He's not so bad" she defended. HE
has to do his duty"
"Yes--I s'pose. But say, do you
think he's givin' that poor fellow Jew.
EFT a chance?
"Chance! OF course"
But nobody thinks he's guilty"
Maybe he isn't. But that's for his
attorneys to prove. You see," said
Marion, "a district attorney has to ap.
pear severe. It's his business to try to |
prove people guilty. There-they're
hammering downstairs. I suppose II
will soon be fixed. l must get out of
this"
"Ain't you havin' good timer"
Wonderful" smiled Marion.
81 knew fellow once that knew
Jewett," said the other.
did your" exclaimed Marion.
yep. He thinks there's something
wrong. Thinks pack of fellows used
him. He was that kind. Do anything
for anybody, Jim says"
well, it's too bad" declared Mari.
on "but the laws the law and some.
body has to do the states work. Be.
sides" she hesitated-"he really was
guilty of treason you know. Why ]
have" she looked at the bag, fright
here, papers that are sufficient evi,
dence to convict him."
Suddenly the young man said: "Say,
would you mind holding this lever over
this way-tight. I'll have to look at ,
the switch under the seat. Better put
your things down-it will take both
hands,"
Marion obliglngly obeyed. After q :
minute the operator replaced the seat, !
relieved her of her task and pulled
over lever. The elevator slid down
ward to the first floor.
Thanks for helpin'," said the young /
fellow, gratefully. "sorry you're late" r
You're welcome" smiled Marion. a
'See you tomorrow" she added i'm.
pulsively. She liked this friendly t
young chap in spite Of his ridiculous |
hair. She walked quickly to the
street, called taxi and found herself !
1t the station In ten minutes. just In !
time to catch Caruthers before his
rain pulled out for New York. i
Here are the papers !" said Marion s
,reathlessly, reaching into her bag.
Then suddenly she went white. why r.
they're not here! They're gone. | a
'ut them here myself! They've been N
tolen!"
Then suddenly she thought of the :,
levator chap with the yellow hair who II
lad friend who knew Jewett. n.
That was the end of Marion's career II
q the secret service.
One night several months later when
iarion was dressing for dinner the q
laid brought her card.
The man who rose when she entered
be drawing room looked familiar N
ct she was uncertain.
'Dont you remember the elevator
oy," he smiled, who stole your pa
ers and disappeared"
Marion flushed. b,
II see," he said. "You haven't for Ia
wen me. / came to tell you that even le
Edwin was technically to blame he m
as expiated his sin. He died In the NJ
enches fighting for America. / got w
ord today. He was my younger th
'other." =
"Oh, I'm sorry" exclaimed Marion. |
HE was never TO blame" said her
sitor sadly. HE was a loyal patriot.
knew it and had to save him."
"You We're right to do 1t, then" said
arlon. I'm very, very sorry about |
m" |