The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-11-01
ELEVATOR EPISODE
BY LOUISE OLIVER.


ing with you these days?"
Marion started. Undeniably, these
words were addressed to her, as she
was the only occupant of the elevator,
besides It's operator.
She looked up into a pair of very nice
blue eyes. then ut the thatch Of maize
colored hair below a gray unvisored
cap, and ut the straight alert figure
outtOned up to the chin In q jacket of
severe military cut.
"Oh, pretty we'll" she answered with
smile. Marion's smile was very
sweet. "How about you?"
Same as usual. Too long hours and
too small pay, but pretty good, at
that"
The elevator slid down another
tioor, slowed, stuck and started again.
Then it slowed again and jerkcd to q
standstill-between floors.
"Good gracious!" said Marion impa-
aently. whats wrong?"
Don't ask me. Powers off, sup
pose."
~ NCA 10 1uOSL
"Sorry. Got a date?"
"What?"
"Got date-engagementW
Marion laughed in spite of herself.
"No. it isn't that. have some business
to attend to for Mr.. Marshall"
"John Marshall! Do you work for
him? 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."
"Ataybe 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 it
will soon be fixed. I must get out of
this"
"Ain't you havin' a good time?"
Wonderful" smiled Marion.
II knew a 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"
i"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 I
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 obligingly obeyed. After a
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"
You're welcome" smiled Marion.
"See you tomorrow she added i'm.
pulsively. She liked this friendly
young chap in spite of his ridiculous
hair. She walked quickly to the
street, called taxi and found herself
ut the station in ten minutes, just in
time to catch Caruthers before his
train pulled out for New York.
'Here are the papers!" said Marion
breathlessly, reaching into her bag.
Then suddenly she went white. why
they're not here! They're gone. !
put them here myself They've been
stolen!"
Then suddenly she thought of the
elevator chap with the yellow hair who
had a friend who knew Jewett.
That was the end Of Marion's career
in the secret service.
One night several months later when
Marion was dressing for dinner the
maid brought her card.
The man who rose when she entered
the drawing room looked familiar
vet she was uncertain.
"Don't you remember the elevator
boy" he smiled, "who stole your pa.
pers and disappeared?"
Marion flushed.
II see." he said. "You haven't for
given me. I came to tell you that even
If Edwin was technically to blame he
has expiated his sin. He died in the
trenches fighting for America. I got
word today. He was my younger
brother"
ooh, I'm sorry!" exclaimed Marion.
.He was never to blame,' said her
visitor sadly. "He was loyal patriot.
1 knew it and had to save him."
"You were right to do it, them" said
Marion. I'm very, very sorry about