The Secret Pact — Reading Notes

Passengers began to pour from the salon, and Penny and Louise joined the throng. Many persons pushed and jostled each other, trying to obtain a position close to the gangplank.

Suddenly a girl who stood not far from Penny gave an alarmed cry.

"My pocketbook! It's gone!"

Those near her expressed polite concern and assisted in searching the deck. The missing purse was not found. Before the captain could be notified, the gangplank was lowered, and the passengers began to disembark from the steamer.

The girl, whose pocketbook had been lost, remained by the railing, quite forgotten. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Excuse me," said Penny, addressing her, "is there anything I can do to help?"

Disconsolately, the girl shook her head. She made a most unattractive picture, for her blouse was wrinkled and her skirt was spotted with an ugly coffee stain. Beneath a brown, misshapen roll-brim hat hung a tangle of brown hair.

"Someone stole my pocketbook," she said listlessly. "I had twelve dollars in it, too."

"You're sure you didn't leave it anywhere?" Louise inquired.

"No, I had it in my hand only a minute ago. I think someone lifted it in the crowd."

"A pickpocket, no doubt," Penny agreed. "I've been told they frequent these river boats."

"Nearly everyone has left the steamer now, so I suppose it would do no good to notify the captain," commented Louise.

She and Penny started to turn away, then paused as they noticed that the girl remained in the same dejected posture.

"You have friends meeting you at the boat?" Penny inquired kindly.

"I haven't any friends--not in Riverview."

"None?" Penny asked in surprise. "Don't you live here?"

"No," answered the girl. "I've been working as a waitress at Flintville, up-river. The job played out last week. Today I took this boat, thinking I might find work in Riverview. Now I've lost my purse and I don't know what to do or where to go."

"Haven't you any money?" inquired Penny.

"Not a cent. I--I guess I'll have to sleep in the park tonight."

"No, you won't," declared Penny. Impulsively, she opened her own purse and, removing a five dollar bill, thrust it into the girl's hand. "This isn't much, but it may tide you over until you can find work."

"Oh, you're kind to help me. I'll pay you back just as soon as I get a job."

"Don't worry about that," replied Penny. "However, I should like to know your name."

"Mine is Penelope Parker and my friend is Louise Sidell. Well, good luck in finding that job."

Edging away from Tillie who would have detained them indefinitely, the girls crossed the gangplank to shore.

"You were generous to give a stranger five dollars, Penny," commented Louise when they were beyond hearing.

"Your allowance money, wasn't it?"

"Yes, but I couldn't allow the girl to go hungry or sleep in the park."

"No, I suppose not," replied Louise.

Penny paused, scanning the crowd on the dock. Her father, Anthony Parker, had promised to meet the excursion boat, but there was no sign of him or his car.

"Dad must have been detained at the newspaper office," she remarked. "I suppose we must wait here until he comes."

Removing themselves from the stream of traffic, the girls walked a short distance along the dock, halting beside a warehouse. The throng rapidly dispersed, and still Mr. Parker did not arrive.

"I hope we haven't missed him," Penny remarked anxiously. "In this fog one can't see many yards."

They had waited only a few minutes longer when Louise suddenly touched her chum's arm.

"Penny, there she is! Alone, too!"

"Why, that girl whose hat you recovered on the _Goodtime_. See her coming this way?"

Penny turned to stare at the young woman who was walking hurriedly along the dock. At first glance she was inclined to agree with Louise that it was the same girl, then she was uncertain. The one who approached wore an expensive fur and carried a distinctive beaded bag.

"I don't believe I ever saw her before," she commented.

"I guess I was mistaken," admitted Louise. "She's too well dressed."

Apparently the girl did not observe Penny and her chum, for she passed them without a glance. Hurriedly she walked a short distance down the wharf. Then, with a deft movement, she took a package from beneath her smart-fitting coat, and tossed it into the water.

Turning, she retraced her steps to the gangplank of the _Goodtime_. A moment later the girls saw her meet a young man in topcoat and derby who had emerged from the crowd on the dock. Entering a gray sedan, they drove away.