The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-10-13
HER AUNT'S PIN
BY JACK LAYTON.

young man as he seated himself at her
side in the trolley. 1t was the only
vacant seat In the last car going TO
the city and though Uncle Dexter was
emphatic In advising against entering
into conversation with strangers,
Daisy May found herself unequal TO
snubbing this pleasant young mans
polite advances. He had been so kind
about adjusting the window TO just
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 not
much older than herself, she thought,
and had a frank, open countenance.
More rObberies," commented the
young man. Ever see anything like
1t? Regular 'holdups everywhere,
can't be safe walking down the street"
He flashed a sunny smile at her.
Better hold on to your purse when
you reach the CITY," he admOnished.
Il 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 a ring. The ring was to be a
gift for herself, but this Daisy May
did not know.
She snapped the tasseled 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 1t with a 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 at it's finish
she would see the young man 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, "thered 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 p6fSOuS 10 WHO'LL nave HOI DceH
J introduced"
The young man relapsed promptly
into the depths Of despair.
Daisy May opening the bag a little
later for a last precautionary glance
at Aunt Cynthia's pin, gave a 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 1t in my bag a few
moments ago, did you nOt?"
The young man looked deliberately
into her excited face.
81 saw nothing in your bag" he in
sisted.
Daisy May gasped. 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 was not to
be found.
The young man Obligingly entered
into he search. Daisy May sat per-
picked and baffled.
THE diamonds were very VI. g."
she said hOpelessly, land the Ill y.aS
not my own"
Surrounding passengers arose, shak-
| ing their wraps and Overcoats.
! Pins sometimes fly about" they
said
An Italian nearby vindicatingly
i turned his pockets inside out, offer
ing his coat to be searched. But the
ton of his clothing, silently returning
| TO his seat and paper.
Your coat please?" the conductor
demanded, "the pin may have become
| fastened upon it,"
But the conductor did not shake out
the coats folds, instead his hand
passed into a deep gaping pocket and
| when he drew it out again the CLEAN
ing pin lay in his palm.
| Daisy May leaned tens"ly 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.
"This man should be forced to ex-
| possession" he said. But Daisy May
| smiled.
st really does not matter" she re-
piled, 1.-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 am guilty?"
81 know that you are not 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 a
gray bali of glove which had rolled
beneath the seat. He gave it to her
You threw the pin out of your bag
probably when you opened it to get
this" he said, land my wide gaping
pocket caught the thing; but after