The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1918-01-17
The
Pocket Piece
By WARREN MILLER

AA"u hiaue at COIeSe, Harold barnes,
lived there.
Unfortunately for Alden, soon after
ne had settled In Chicago his chum
was sent to South America on an Inn
portant mission for his Arm.
A month later a letter from his
friend in South America said: "I have
heard from my sister. a young girl
OF twenty, that she is to spend the
winter In Chicago with married
friend. Do not yet know the address.
VIII send 1t later on, as I want you
to know my sister,
AS Alden boarded the trolley one
day young girl got in just ahead of
him. The car was full, so both had
to stand. He paid his fare from a
handful of loose coins and a few
blocks farther on the young girl
alighted. AS she was passing out Al
den saw her lean down and pick up
something from the floor. A quick
glimpse of 1t in her hand made him
think of his pocket piece, gift from
his friend, Harold Barnes, and much
priced by Alden.
The car stopped and as the young
girl alighted Harold suddenly deter.
mined to alight also, follow her and
Ii his surmises were correct, he would
be able to reclaim his property.
He followed the young girl as she
turned into fine residential street
and saw her 60 up the steps to
handsome stone front house.
Alden had gotten this far when his
courage gave out. He walked past
the house, then returned. He must
have that pocket piece. Finally he
coldly assembled the steps and pressed
the button. A butler opened the door
and offered the silver salver for q
card. Alden hunted In vain, not q
card had he with him.
II would like to see the young lady
Of the house." he said.
At first the butler seemed inclined
to refuse him admission, then said
Come in, will speak to Miss Leslie
What name will say?"
"Oh, never mind; just tell her
gentleman wishes to see her for few
minutes"
Soon a very pretty young woman
appeared, but not the one Alden had
followed, and he felt nonplused.
my errand is peculiar" he STAN.
mered. II saw a young woman enter
the house and have followed her for
a pocket piece"
'How remarkably strange" said the
lady.
"It ia indeed" said Alden as he
wiped the perspiration from his fore
head
What l meant to say Is, dropped
a very much priced pocket piece in the
trolley and I have reason to think II
was picked up by the young lady who
came into this house few minutes
ago."
About the time Alden was wishing
himself at the other end of the world
and was just about to make hasty
exit, the young woman he had seen
on the car appeared.
AS he looked into the bright eyes
and smiling face he felt some of his
courage returning. 81 called" he said.
"to ask you to let me inspect the coin
you found on the car floor. l think II
will prove to be my pocket piece, the
gift Of dear friend now In South
America" He noticed at that a quick
look pass between the two young
women.
II will go upstairs and look" she
said. "Is your name on the coin"
"No only a cross"
won't you sit, Mr." said the lady
and she paused for his name.
Robert Alden" said the young
man.
Just then the young woman re
turned to the room.
"How unfortunate" she said. "In
my haste dropped my coin purse and
the coins have rolled in every direc
ton. The one you speak of must have
hidden away behind something, but II
you will call tomorrow evening I will
have made a thorough search before
then and will hope to be able to return
your keepsake"
The next evening the young girl re
ported the pocket piece. not found, but
he passed a delightful hour with her.
The following Sunday afternoon he
called on the two ladies, but no men
ton was made of the coin. He was
invited to Sunday tea and spent o
charming evening.
One evening a month later, while
calling at the house, suddenly a pair
of the loveliest of bright eyes looked
into his and sweet voice said, u
have found your keepsake"
'Do you mean it?" said Alden. But
/ don't know as care so much ABOUT
1t now. care only for the wonder
full happiness its loss has brought to
me-"
"Will you give 1t to me-" she said
"Yes," said Alden very bravely. for
he had been a timid lover. 'if you will
be my wife,"
About half an hour later the young
girl ran upstairs and when she came
down she had two things in her hand.
| the coin and q photograph.