The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-10-07
FOUND
BY JACK LAYTON.


cessful preparation, this first business
position but a stepping stone to
greater. When the greater was won
Jimmie felt his future assured. Then,
10! His castles fell in ruins. jim
mics services were no longer required.
The great plant which during the war
had prospered was now reduced to
economic necessity and Jimmie. one
of many satisfactory employees to be
dispensed with.
He was stunned by the unexpected
ness of 1t, as he stood in the spring
sunshine.
But the prettiest girl that he had
ever seen sat on the seat toward his
right, among the bus passengers. Her
cheeks had caught the singing caress
of the breeze, and her eyes were the
purply hue of the country violets she
wore. The girls hat was not modish-
ly new like those about her; 1t was
still evidently winter hat, which had
weathered many storms.
Jimmie saw the light Of adventure
glow in the girls eyes, as she viewed
the great boats on the river He noted
her wondering surprise, as they passed
the marble palaces Of the rich. And
with every mile Jimmie's observance
and Jimmle's blissful interest grew,
until past misfortunes seemed OF no
concern at all in face of this marve4-
GUS event Of love at first sight.
Jimmie had scoffed at the idea be-
fore. Now his one overwhelming fear
was that the girl should descend pres
emily those twisting bus stairs ana De
lost to him forever. A man on the
seat beside him was obliged to nudge
him twice in order that he might pass.
Jimmie nodded apologeticafly; he rec
ognized In the white-haired man an
occasional companion at his favorite
restaurant table.
The man usually boarded this bus
at the noon hour and sometimes again
at night. Jimmie was desperate when
he realized that the next stopping
Mace would be his own. For mo-
ment he was tempted to ignore its
significance but Mr.. Brothers would
be in his office at this hour, and 1t
was With Mr.. Brothers that Jimmie
hoped to find employment, If he de-
layed, the position offered might fall
to another.
With q sinking sense of loss Jimmie
| made his way to the Office building
| and entered an elevator. AT the fifth
floor he stood, ascertainlng his direc-
| ton.
Then, unbelievably, girl came from
| later arrived elevator TO GREATNESS
" face him. 1t was the girl! Jimmie
| gasped. Her cheeks were pinker from
her haste and her eyes seemed bluer
| in their earnestness. She thrust a
| bill purse toward him.
"There!" she exclaimed, In the soft
sort of voice Jimmie had known she
should have, as your purse. You
dropped 1t on the bus seat; followed
you all the way here"
| Jimmie looked speechlessly down on
the well-filled purse; absently he read
| name uH lIe lueHihSaIi'h vi"
within
at isn't mine" he remarked dis
couragingly.
The girl stared; her bright salts
faction vanished.
"Then, whoseY" she began.
Jimmie came to himself with a Joy
full start. Here was the one girl in
the world at his side. Here was Z
glorious springtime afternoon before
them. Opportunity sometimes knocks
but once Jimmie grasped his oppOr
tunity.
81 think" he said, "that It probabl!
belongs to the whlte-haired man wht
sat beside me. He often takes dinne
at night in the restaurant where do
II you'd let me take you there later
and we could ride down on the bus OF
our way, you might be able to restore
to the man his property"
The girl hesitated. Frankly sh
studied Jimmies face; then, evidentll
assured, she smiled and friendly dim
| PIE peepeu lOItu'
"All right" she agreed. "You d
not need Il recommendation as to hon
esty, at least"
The white-halred man was seate
at the restaurant table when two smll
ing young people abruptly Joined hin
: eve know this is your purse" jim
mic greeted, "for the waiter has toll
| us your name. But, perhaps, as u mat
ter of form you had better identif
| the contents"
The rightful owner looked bac
questioningly from his regained PROF
erty.
81 have inserted an ad in the Los
Column of this evenings paper" h
said, Offering reward for return {
the purse. May hand that rewar
to you now?"
| "If you please" the pretty girl int
posed. 1--WE have learned, Mr.. War
of your great business interests. N
James Brandon is anxious to fin
worthy employment. Perhaps 70
could help him in that"
| The white-haired mans shrewd eye
regarded Jimmie.
/ mo doubt" he promised. 1--WE ma
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