Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-04-17
THE
PURSE
FINDERS
By MICHAEL WHITE
20 BY Short story Pub. Coz

Il moments before he hau taken
purse and penknife out Of a
pocket. In opening stiff blade he
slipped the purse.
Il guess it's no use hunting for 1t
here" he decided finally. ''Too bad
Hate to part from that old purse.
Seem to have got the losing habit.
Second thing within twenty-four
hours r.
So he thrust the knife back in his
pocket, with the air of man who
brings reason to bear on bit of ILL
luck
Meanwhile girl of attractive pres
ence had passed Pringle by and dis
covered the purse--a small, unpreten-
tious, much worn leather object; just
such a purse as well-to-do man Of
past middle age with an attachment
for things of long association might
carry. She impulsively stopped for
the purse, but 1t was snatched from
under her well-ftting gloved hand.
She lifted her eyes to encounter the
fixed gaze of very old woman. The
contrast between the two was striking.
In countenance, poise and manner, the
girl emphasized the buoyancy, frank
ness and hope of youth In the old
woman's shriveled bent figure, wrin-
killed. skin and hard, suspicious glance,
lay plain statement of vain dreams
left far behind and a sole abiding COM
fort In money. To this, her rusty
black garments and an antique bonnet
perched sideways, added savings bank
testimony; even as the girls fresh,
carefully thought-out attire bespoke
a faithful response to the beguiling
whisperings Of Kismet. The girl was
evidently surprised at the suddenness
with which the purse had been
whlsked into another's possession, the
old woman clearly exercising her wit
on retaining It, She grasped the purse
tightly in thin, rheumatic fingers,
with lips moving convulslvely as II
from habit Of talking with herself.
TITS not your purse-not yours"
she snapped defantly in a cracked
voice.
This broke the slight spell in which
the girl was held.
"Oh, no, of course not" she spon-
taneously replied. II didn't think of
claiming 1t. IL am glad you re-
covered your purse before someone
appropriated It,"
She nodded, smiled pleasantly, and
went on her way. The old woman
stared after her with curious ex-
preston of mingled cunning, greed
and timidity, tucking the purse away
in fold Of her shawl. Presently she
was moved by sudden impulse to
creep swiftly into the wide portals of
a department store. She plunged into
the main aisle at an hour fairly
thronged, to tread a devious way in
and out, as If endeavorlng to lose
herself from a chance of the girl has
tening after with challenging
Madam, l have discovered that that
Is not your purse" Her fingers were
twined around It securely. To the
resulting pressure 1t surely felt as If
tight wad Of bills lay within. Her
yearning to gaze upon them became a
haunting obsesslon, but she was fear
full of doing so before numerous see-
ing eyes The rightful owner might
be at hand and recognize his property.
After some hesitation, she determined
on definite course. She qulckened
her pace through the store until she
came to an exit into rear street.
Here passenger traffic was lnfrequent,
and no one likely to observe her
actions. With trembling, nervous
fingers, she unlocked the clasp OF the
purse. As she brought 1t within close
range of vision, her expression was
intense In its eager anticipation. For
moment she pOked around the in
terror with crooked finger. Then
fell upon her look Of dlsappoint-
ment so keen that II was almost
pitlful. Never were disgust and cha
grin written palmer on human face.
She gave vent to an imprecation, flung
The purse downward, and set her foot
upon IT, This action served to again
close the hasp. Then she sped on
ward with features grimly set, NUT
ierlng to herself.
But, lOunglng up against a wall, a
street lOafer had casually watched the
old woman. Since her back was to-
ward him he had merely seen the
purse fall. For all he knew she might
have been counting over weeks hard
earnings This, however In no wise
entered into his ethics. He swOoped
down on the purse, grabbed It, and
strobe jauntily in the opposite direc-
lion. The purse certainly felt good
to him. Thus he came to where a
building in the block presented
long, dark hallway. He chuckled as
he wrenched open the purse and
dropped his gaze within. But only
for second Then he swOre bitterly.
lie crushed the purse In his fist. with
Il wide sweep Of his arm he tossed
II contemptuOusly from him as he re-
gained the street
Meanwhile, the purse hit cart
wheel, hoped here and there a bit,
and finally landed at the base Of q
water hydrant. Now beside the by
lrant stood policeman, and the
1urse found resting place close to |
lie heels Of Officer 1901. The police |
man was absorbed In directing a trim |
serving maid 50 he failed TO notice |
the advent Of the purse. A wayfarer |
was more Obserynnt. He ran eagerly |
toward II. but impulslyely drew back |
when the policemun's eye fell on him.