The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-08-30
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
By Way of Introduction.
By a, w. PC1COSK.

Newspaper syndicatel
r. LOT MOORE was standing in thu
crowded Eestbound car and plan
ming what he would do for the
syening. He was not conscious OF hiE
leighbors except that close beside him
IS he looked down from his six feet
re could see undor small, chic ha.
he curve of girlish cheek.
Suddenly he was stung into action.
Something had been thrust into his
trousers pocket and withdrawn. Ono
plunge OF his hand and he knew that
his pocketbook, with a clear weeks
salary. had been stolen.
Somebody has sneaked my, pocket
book" he said sharply to the conduc-
Tor. Some one on this car. Don't let
soul of until get a cop!"
Excitement filled the car. Tired as
they were, all viewed the turn OF events
with interest.
At the same time that a man in a
gray suit came crowdinE forward a
voice spoke up sharply: II think that
young lady next to you did the trick.
sir"
The man in gray caught her shout
der. II am on the force, my friend,
and will take charge" he said TO
Eliot. Young lady, have you that
pooketbook?" Even as he spoke he
yanked wallet from the pocket OF her
suit. He held it out to Eliot. "That
yours?"
Eliot nodded.
well, 1 guess we have another one
Of them" the gray man said. Get OF
here at the station and can let you
90 soon," he said again TO Eliot.
Not until the slight girl had been led
from the car and the car had gone
did she seem to recover from the shock
Of the charge.
What are you going to do with me?
did not take that Wallet" she cried
In half-gasping, sobbing voice, trying
to draw her arm away.
you better go with us without a
fuss, young lady, for go you will
whether you want to or not!" the plain
clothes man said sharply.
The light from the street lamp fell
upon her face, and Eliot saw that she
was nothing more than a mere girl,
badly frightened, and looking weary
beyond any WEAKNESS he knew. I'm
der the small hat her girlish face, win
some in spite Of the strain upon it.,
touched him.
Cant we fix It up here?" he asked.
Don't let her get away with any
yuch stuff, young man. They're old
hands at the sob stun. Probably she's
ane of the gang that have been work
Ing the city, and it's public duty to
get rid of her." the detective answered.
The girl sighed-an odd, choking,
iespairing sigh of surrender.
Il don't care" she ssid quietly. IN
90 with youi"
Together they walked down the
street and turned to the side street on
which the red station lantern glowed.
She stumbled as she walked, and Eliot
took her arm to aid her. She started
at his touch and tried. to draw away,
but he kepta gentle hold upon her and
her swayihg steps were steadied.
They went in and found themselves
facing an officer who was deep in a
newspaper. He looked up with a
scowl as le saw them.
We, Edwards, what is it?" he ask
ed OF the detective.
Edwards explained, and handed over
the pocektbook. The lieutenant at the
desk turned 1t over in his hand.
Found on her. Ell? Well, let's finish
1t up. suppose you know what's In
lt?T he asked Eliot.
Eliot had been watching the girl
She stood, white faced, fearless, her
lark, wide eyes staring, stricken, into
space. or all pictures of utter de-
1pair he had ever seen, she was the
perfect one.
He could not help thinking, although
ne knew she was woman, that a girl
IN her teens stood there; the small
lips, the duslky, wayy hair, the still
evident curve to the Swallowed cheeks
all won his attention and his pity
Tor her.
Quietly he named OF articles and
noney-that were not in the wallet
The man at the desk looked at him
With cold, shrewd eyes. "This wallet
Ices not contain the stuff you men,
ion"
The girl stiffened as with shock.
Her stricken eyes turned to Eliot.
Then / disown It. Some mistake
las been made" Eliot said easily. I'D
Iuggest the pocketbook be returned to
The lady. Somebody else got away
with mine. This looked like mine. but
mine is a common type. The mistake
8 mine. Ny wallet has disappeared, no
ioubt."
mo doubt" the officer said drily.
You two leave your names and ad-
iresses and then you may go. Here is
FOUR wallet young lady" He handed
I to her with polite gesture.
She took 1t with fumbling fingers
and they went out together.
She walked unsteadily, and he aided
aer with one hand under her small,
:ound wrist They reached the corner
n silence; then she turned with a
iuick. indrawn breath.
1t is your pocketbooki You know
y You did 1t Just to save mel" she
leld the wallet out to him. "You
must not think did it! But here
s the wallet Take 1t = please.
jleaselp
He quieted her. mo, have lunch.
hat the chap who did pinch 1t saw he
vas caught when we held everybody
the car and slipped the wallet into
lour pocket and then called attention
o you. The more think about It, the
more certain am"
DO you really think sol" she qua
rered.