The Crimson Thread: An Adventure Story for Girls

otion how they were done in the past. But now, if I want anything, I pull some wires. For instance, your young friend whom you found in the Art Museum and whose name is Cordelia but whom you cho

putting on her best smile. 'I'll p

and Mr. So and So up on the eleventh floor bobs bo

ee,' he murmurs. 'I s

'the iron ring,' wrapping packages with very gay company all about her, having a good time and getting pay for it. But let me assure you it could not be done withou

e way the world is run these days, the

dge, had been set a sharp bit of steel. The theory is that the steel edge cuts the stout cord with which the bundles are tied. Truth was that more often the sharp edge cut the girls' fingers than did the steel the string. So, in time having learned wisdom, Cordie discarded this d

that day. A rumor was confirmed and a discovery m

per on Lucile's table of books. She snatched it up and was abou

AND FI

s was a sec

Dollars for

ily tearing the corner from the page, she thru

moment later as he thrust a clipping

. It had to do with the disappearance of the promising y

rather secluded life, he has either slipped away without being noticed or has met with some grave mishap. His publishers are greatly disturbed over his disap

son or daughter should or should not read. There was not the least doubt but that here was the first genuine best seller in the line since the firs

ds and thousands of kid-gloved, well fed, contented women! Oh! Wow! Twenty clubs, then twenty more and twenty after that!

e, her face lighting with anger. "Their work i

young writer, who happens to have struck gold with his pen but who never made a speech in his life, should be chained to a platform and made to do tricks like a trained bear before thousands of women? Wom

. She noted his high forehead, his even and rugged features, his expressive hands, and when she saw him selling away on that stock

had torn from the discarded newspaper. In the employees' lunch room, over a glass of milk

am tall and slim, and of course I am a woman-a young woman whom some have been so kind as to call fair. To-day I dress in the garb of a working woman. Yesterday it was the coat of a sales-girl. At another ti

shake my hand and say: 'You are the Spirit of Christmas.' Had one done so, tho' he had been but a beggar i

to sell so little, even though I looked to be a shop-girl. She did not shake my hand, and I was glad, for had she done so and had

how me many things. I bought nothing in the end, but she was kind and courteous for all that. I wished-Oh, how I wished that she would grasp my hand and whisper ever

ds and there to make a purchase. At every place, as I pass on, I shall leave my mark, which is also my sign. If you chance to see me, if you know me, if you

mas. Everywhere I go I lea

lanced up with a dazed and

ean?" she asked, holding th

ing. I think it's just to make people buy the pap

find her,"

ur. Bought a book, mind you, and you may have sold it to her. Think of that! The day before that she was in the store for six hours. Think of that! And no one

d her companion's interpretation. Somehow, almost as if some strange power outside her were whispering it to her, she felt forced

he asked her

t would clink for a handshake. But after all, she had revealed no facts that were not known

die had told of things that had happened in the city four days back. Could she have been in the city

owe a board bill? Might not her belongings be in

A person who is forced to reveal her past is almost sure to tell anything but the truth. I

cut her adrift? Why should I be looking after her

t if need be she would do a great deal more for the girl before casting her of

ely know I need that gold. And if this strange little beauty, Cordie, cost

er the scrap of paper. Th

ave a crimson t

inkled in puzzled thought. T

t meant just that!" sh

t couldn't. A crimson

before her. "There's just time for devouring them before we go back t

med suddenly, "Do

is Ja

ies away the pack

oped o

bit o

always

's intriguing. I-I'm working on him. He's awful reserved, but I t

has found one to study out," thought Luci