Omaha daily bee., 1922-04-30
\ RARIE ANGOULEME showed her mod.
MI est suitcase beneath the seat with a
IVu sense Of satisfaction. She was going
= to have the section IN herself Ront

Nu cSt suitcase Oeneatn Inc seat with a
N sense Of satisfaction. She was going
Ava to have the section to herself. Bon!
They were leaving Buffalo in the murky
larkness Of q March evening. Wind driven
sleet peppered the windows Of the car and
melted quickly into zigzag rivulets which
blurred the lights Of the city; the car was
sppressively hot. The passengers were set
Ting themselves in the usual fashion, dis.
posing Of their luggage and preparing for
the dining or the smoking car. with the
porter much In evidence.
Marie Ansouleme. though young person.
was an experienced and an economical trav.
e'er; she had dined at q lunch counter near
the station and intended to retire as soon
~ possible. The journey across from Canada
had been wet. cold, and wearlsome. She
asked tho porter to make up her berth at
once and she went to the dressing room; ut
20 early an hour she was less likely to be
disturbed; she had noticed that there were
many woman passengers In the car and only
. few men.
When Marie returned the car had cleared
somewhat Her berth was shrouded in green,
and the porter was busted making up berths.
Marie noticed that the berth across, from
hers was unoccupied, and, as the berths on
either side Of 1t had been made up, she had
nook in which to open her suitcase and take
out nightdress and kimono and boudoir cap.
She gathered her curly black hair into wad
on the top Of her head. put on the much be-
frilled cap which left little else than her nose
and mouth visible. disposed Of her suitcase.
then crept into her berth for moro COM
paete undressing
There was not much Of length or breadth
10 Marie Angouleme, but. stretched at her
avfh NvVrh ~hA al
her adventure. In q soft leather belt about
her small waist was her entire fortune. one
hundred dollars and several papers which
she valued highly. She was going to New
York, which she had never seen. not to make
her fortune. she had decided modestly, but to
earn competence. With her qualifications,
that should DO possible. Canada was so sad
aince the war, and quite unbearable with both
her good aunt and her dear father dead. And
to work as servant in place where shs
vas known was too mortifying. Far better
10 work In strange place. There were, Of
course, nlmberless intelligence Offices in the
city Of New York, but what she must do,
even before leaving the train in the morning,
vas to buy newspapers and study the adver-
tisements; It might result in much saving Of
time. Thus ran Marie's Thoughts, anxious
yet determtned-until tho Grading Of the
train tulled her to sheep.
It was the cessation Of motion that walked
Marie. and subdued voices. Passengers must
have entered. Marie thought; possibly some
enc for the upper berth. She raised the blind
, . little and saw the lights Of what must be q
considerable city. Then shs peeped into the
aisle. for some one was speaking to the
porter. It was a tail woman, mufded in furs
and Elegantly gowned Marie knew about
kurs: merely by touch she could tell the de-
nomination and the quality Of pen. Theso
were sables, the real Siberian, not American
marten. and must Be valuable They framed
. striking facA woman of indeterminate
age. but not old; strong, regular features, and
hshes and brows a. black a. jet: her eyes
ware light. however. which made her face
the more striking. Her hair was nixht
black and abundant: her lips were red ana
her color high. She was vivid brunette with
IN air Of great distinction. She was taking
the unoccupied berth opposite
Marie studied the woman's face with in.
tarest. and. being an opportunist, she won
dered II In the morning she might be able
to win the favor Of SO wealthy q person 1t
might be Of great assistance to her in New
York to make such friend. The woman
told the porter to call her at seven In the
morning. then disappeared behind the cur
htns Of her berth, and the light overhead
grew dim Marie twisted about, seeking
slumber. and. finally, curled up and with
her hand under her cheek, she lost con-
sciousnesA
How long afterwards she did not know,
Marie walked with sense Of discomfort.
Her limbs were cramped and her left hand
numb. She was rubbing sensation into It
when startled into consciousness Of a loss:
her wrist watch was not on her wrist.
Stolen? Marie's hands went frantically to