The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-01
EVENING STORY
By Way of Introduction.
BY A. w. PEACOCK.


crowded westbound car and planning
what he would do for the evening He
was not conscious of his, neighbors
except that close beside him as he
looked down from his six feet he could
see under a small, chic hat the curve
of a girlish cheek.
Suddenly he was stung into action.
Something had been thrust into his
trousers pocket and withdrawn. One
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 a soul off 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 crowding 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. Il am on the force, my friend.
and I will take charge" he said to
Eliot. Young lady, have you that
pocketbook Even as he spoke he
yanked a wallet from the pocket of
her suit. He held it out to Eliot.
That yours?"
Eliot nodded.
well. I guess we have another one
of Them the gray man said. Get
off here at the station and 1 can let
you go 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? l did not take that Wallet" she
cried in a half-gasping. sobbing voice.
trying to draw her arm away.
lynn hattar % with xyifh q
fuss. young lady, for go you will
whether you want to or noti" 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. Under
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
such stuff. young man. They're old
hands at the sob stuff. Probably she's
one of the gang that have been work
ing the city, and it's a public duty to
get rid of her." the detective an
swered.
The girl sighed-an odd, choking,
despairing sigh of surrender.
II don't care" she said quietly. I'll
go with you!
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 kept a gentle hold upon her
and her swaying steps were steadied.
They went in and found themselves
facing an officer who was deep in
newspaper. He looked up with a
a a
well. Edwards. what is k?' he
asked of the detective.
Edwards explained. and handed
over the pocketbook. The lieutenant
at-the desk turned it over in his hand.
Found on her. Ell? Well, let's finish
it up. I suppose you know what's in
it?" he asked Eliot.
Eliot had been watching the girl.
She stood, white faced, fearless, her
dark. wide eyes staring, stricken, into
space. OF all pictures of utter des-
pair he had ever seen, she was the
perfect one.
He could not help thinking. altho
he knew she was a woman, that a girl
in her teens stood there; the small
lips, the dusky, wavy hair, the still
evident curve to the Swallowed cheeks
all won his attention and his pity
for her.
Quietly he named off articles and
money-that were not in the wallet
The man at the desk looked at him
with cold, shrewd eyes. This wallet
does not contain the stuff you men
ton"
The girl stiffened as with shock.
Her stricken eyes turned to Eliot.
Then 1 disown it. Some mistake
has been made" Eliot said easily.
I'd suggest the pocketbook be re-
turned to the lady. Somebody else
got away with mine. This looked
like mine, but mine is a common
type. The mistake is mine. My wal
let has disappeared, no doubt"
mo doubt" the officer said dryly.
you two leave your names and ad-
dresses and then you may go. Here
Is your wallet. young lady" He hand
ed it to her with a polite gesture.
She took it with fumbling fingers
and they went out together.
She walked unsteadily, and he
small, round wrist. They reached the
corner in silence; then she turned with
a quick, indrawn breath.
1T is your pocketbooki You know
1t. You did it just to save mel" She
held the wallet out to him. you
must not think 1 did it: But L
here is the wallet. Take it-please,
pleased"
TIE quieted her. mo, I have a
bunch that the chap who did pinch
it saw he was caught when We held
everybody in the car and slipped the
wallet into your pocket and then
called attention to you. The more I
think about it. the more certain am"
DO you really think so?" she qua
vered.
Now look here, little girl" he an
swered soothingly, 81 am sure of it.
Say. we have both missed our supper.