The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-08-05
HER AUNT'S PIN
Dy JACK LAWTON.

the city and though Uncle Dexter was
emphatic in advising against entering
into conversation with strangers
Daisy Niay found herself unequal t
snubbing this pleasant young mans
polite advances. He had been so kline
about adjusting the window to JUS
the proper opening and had Offered
his paper with immediate self-efface
ment ..
Daisy May regarded him furtively
as he pretended to read He was no,
much older than herself, she thought
and had frank, open countenance
More robberies." commented the
young man. Ever see anything like
it? Regular holdups' everywhere
can't he safe walking down the street.
He flashed n sunny smile at her.
Better hold on to your purse when
you reach the city" he admonished.
II will" answered Daisy May
Uncle Baxter warned me about that
Not that they'd get much money" she
added laughingly.
She had been commissioned TO take
two diamonds to the city to have them
reset in ring The ring was to be u
gift for herself, but this Daisy May
did not know.
She snapped the tasseed bag to-
gether and rode ON for some time in
silence. But the young mans eyes
were upon her, she felt them con-
sciously.
When he offered his magazine she
accepted it with remorseful smile.
How utterly unreasonable TO suspect
every stranger of thIeving motives.
The usually tiresome trolley trip
passed by as if on happy wings. Daisy
May was regretful that mt its finish
she would see the young Wan no more.
His regret was evident. With sue
ceeding miles his gay spirits vanished
and he grew sadly serious.
Il suppose" he suggested tentative
ly, "there'd, be no such luck as meet
ing you occasionally on this same
train"
Il do not" Daisy May severely in
formed him, continue acquaintance
with persons to whom I have not been
introduced"
The young man relapsed promptly
into the depths Of despair.
Daisy May opening the bag little
later for last precautionary glance
at Aunt Cynthias pin, gave quick
startled cry, the pin was not there. In
troubled haste she turned to her
moody companion,
my diamond pin is gone" she muir
INJURED. you saw it in my bag Il few
ago, did you not?'
The young man looked deliberately
into her excited face. .-e ....,
II saw nothing In your bag" he in
sisted.
Daisy May gaspcd. She had been so
sure that he had. The conductor COM
ing along at that moment was made
aware Of her distress.
Carefully, cushioned seats and floor
were examined. The pin was not to
be found.
The young man obligingly entered
into the search. Daisy May sat per-
picked and baf1led. ffei= f.
THE diamonds were very valuable"
she said hopelessly, ''and the pin was
not my own'
Surrounding passengers arose, shak-
ing their wraps and oyercoats.
Pins sometimes fly about" they
said. fs# # @<
An Italian nearby vindicatingly
turned his pockets inside out. offer
ing his coat to be searched. But the
nice young man made no examina-
tion of his clothing, silently returning
to his seat and paper.
"Your coat please?' the conductor
1.-THE pin may have become
fastened upon it," F
But the conductor did not shake out
the coats folds, instead his hand
passed into a deep gaping pocket and
when he drew 1T out again the CLEAN
ing pin lay in his palm. +
Daisy May leaned tensely forward
while the young mans questioning
eyes never left her face.
THANK YOU" she said at last quiet
ly, and took the pin. The conductor
bent over her. #'~..
"rhis man should be forced to ok
plain how the pin came to be in his
possession" he said. But Daisy May
smiled.
1T really does not matter" she re-
Piled, "the young man is with me-
When the conductor had gone her
seat companion turned toward her.
"Why did you say that?" he demand
ed. "Why should you try to shield me
when you believe l aim guilty?" e.
81 know that you are mott guilty"
Daisy May said slowly. II would know
that you were not against all evidence.
Do not ask me to explain why. l be-
lieve in you. that's all"
The young man stopped to pick up q
gray ball Of glove which had rolled
beneath the seat He gave 1t to her.
"You threw the pin out Of your bag
probably when you opened it to get
this" he said, "and my wide gaping
pocket caught the thing; but after
all this, you've got to learn to let me
know you better. ..
/ "When l first looked into your face
| said to myself: There's the one
girl in the world for you, Jack Tenn