Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1919-10-17
HER AUNT'S PIN
BY JACK LAYTON.

JN"Nb H'"h us ile Seuieu ullnSciI AT nef
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 advisit against entering
into conversation with strangers,
Daisy May found herself UNEQUAL to
snuobtng this pleasant young mans
polite advances. He had been so kind
about adjusting the window to Just
the proper opening and had offered
mis- paper with immediate self-efface-
ment.
Daisy May regarded him furtiyely
as he pretended to read. He was not
much older than herself, she thought
and had Il frank, open countenance
More robberles," commented the
young man. Ever see anything like
1t? Regular holdups' everywhere
can't be safe walking down the street."
He flashed 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
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 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 at its 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.
II suppose he suggested tentative
~, "thered be no such luck as meet
ing you occasionally on this same
train"
81 do not" Daisy May severely in
formed him, continue acquaintance
with persons to whom L have not been
introduced"
The young man relapsed promptly
into the depths of despair.
Daisy May opening the bag a little
later for last precautionary glance
at Aunt Cynthia's 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 few
moments ago, did you notY"
The young man looked deliberately
into her excited face.
II 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 pin was not to
be found
The young man obligingly entered
into the search. Daisy May sat per-
picked and bafiled.
THE diamonds were very valuable"
she said hopelessly, land the pin was
not my own"
Surrounding passengers arose, shak
ing their wraps and overcoatS.
pins sometimes fly about" they
said.
An Italian nearby vindicatingly
turned his pockets inside out, offer
ing his coat to be searched. But the
nice young man made no examina-
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 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.
This man should be forced to ex-
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 | am guilty?"
81 know that you are not guilty"
Daisy May said slowly. 81 would know
that you were not, against all evidence.
Do not ask me TO explain why. be
lieve In you, that's ALL"
The young man stopped to pick up
gray ball of q glove which had rolled
beneath the seat. He gave 1t to her.
"You threw the pin out of your bag