The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-21
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
The Green Coat
RY cLARlasA MAcKlE.

" 5y CLAhiSSA mNSNlG'
ELEANoR saw the broken cHai1
of her shopping bag dangling
from the pocket Of a smartly
tailored green topcoat. ButtoneG
inside the topcoat was tall man,
who seemed in hurry.
She did not cry out-that was no.
the Bradley way. She simply left
the crowded car and followed tha
man In tho green coat. He walked
rapidly, and the girl was ready to
cry with vexation and alarm as she
saw her money vanishing. Flea
nor's quick, patterinE feet stopped
short as the man suddenly pause,
y under lamppost and whIrled
about His right hand thrust into
his pocket as II In search OF a weap.
on, and then remained there. His
other hand awkwardly went up to
remove his hat at sight OF the girl
lingering timidly near by.
"You were following me?" he
asked shortly.
Il was pursuing you she said IE
an uncertain tone.
Y "Well?" AS he waited for answer
to this inquiry, Eleanor had the i'm
preston that he vas surprised
about something else. His rather
good.looking young face wore an
amazed look.
~ want my handbag. u you
7, please" she said, just as Grand
B mother Bradley woul have done uE.
der Ike circumstances.
what have got to do with it?"
you should be ashamed Of your.
self" she cried in sudden indfgnl
tion. You know 1t is in your cont
pocket this very moment"
20 Then his right hand came out Of
his pocket and with II came Ellen.
nor's pretty beaded bag with the
cut and broken chain dangling. His
face was study in angry aston
ishment. She saw that his gray
eyes flashed like steel as he faced
her.
II don't know who you are.
madam" he said slowly, but from
what you say you seem to be the
owner of this bag. Have you form.
ed any idea OF how 1t came TO be
in my pocket?"
Eleanor laughed sarcasticaliy.
Grandmother Bradley would have
Aone that with Just that little dip
Of the pretty dark head. THE car
was crowded" she murmured rem.
iniscently, "and II was easy for any
2one-who wanted to-a pickpocknt.
mean-to cut the handle OF the
bag and put 1t into the side poke.
OF his coat. And when the owner
discovered the loss OF the bag, the
car was stopping and she saw q
man In green oyercoat alighting,
and she saw the handle OF her bag
hanging from his pockct-that is
ALL"
That is only the beginning" he
laughed shortly. for did not know
the bag was in my pocket until |
heard footsteps behind me and
turned to see who It was-putting
my hand in my pocket as did so
and viola! Tho hag!" He put 1t
IN her outstrctchcd hand with a
little bow. Il hope You will be-.
!, lieve me-"
THANK you" murmured Eleanor,
longing TO flee and very much urraid
TO in the presence OF this cool
young criminal. She wondered
what Grandmother Bradley would
have done now that the Bradley
Spirit had led her thus far.
He stood aside so that she coald
pass on. They were near the cor
neT, and Just around the corner was
the pretty row OF bungalows where
her brother lived II she could only
reach there In safety.
He Eaw her hesitation and spoke
In nerfunctory tone: 81 am afraid
YOU did not believe my story after
all"
ut was very--a very nice story
indeed" she assured him, In a Quak.
ing voice as she hurried away.
She did not so far. Before she
reached the corner there was the
sound OF running feet land she turn
ed with cry upon her lips.
The man In the green 0vercoatI
was still standing under the lamp
post, and coming swiftly upon him