Connecticut western news., 1897-11-25

man. I rely on your goodness of heart as exhibited all evening not to refuse this tritle.''
 The bishop sat glaring in his arm- chair He made no movement. His chubby, round face was apoplectic with rage.
 "Come. come," said Edwards, chang ing his tune. II have no time to waste discussing the matter.
 The sight of the butt of a revolver half drawn from Edwards trousers pocket acted like an electric shock on the bishop. In a moment the richly jeweled watch was on the floor at the feet of the man from Chicago That reasonable. said he. "Now, my dear bishop, that gold cross around your neck will keep it as a souvenir of you" ... Next" continued Edwards, pocket, ing the cross, have you any money about your 1 confess I came away to- night ridiculously short of change" The bishop glowered at him in inn ,, potent wrath. but Edwards preserved his imperturbable smile Four $l0 billf and couple of dollars in silver were the result of search through ths bish- ops clothes
 "Humr' said the guest of the even- ing. "Is that all you have,'' The bishop nodded. "Then, :" said Edwards, with gravity, "I fear will have to ask you to open the safe ] am certain you have not banked today's collection yet Let me see-you announced it at nearly 5000. , B tidy sum.
 The bishop attempted to expostulate "The money belongs to the church, not to me"
 "Ah, that may be. but I am only borrowing it from the church, and l re- ly on your goodness of heart to repay it to the church yourself in case forget 1 to. Time is flying Hurryi" | Unable to stand up. the unfortunate clergyman crawled over on his hands and knees and fumbled at the combina- tion. His hands shook so that be could hardly open it, while the Chicagoan, revolver in hand, stood guard over him. | Once opened, it was the work of a mo- ment to transfer the packages of money to the capacious pockets of the visitor, | who politely assisted the bishop back to his armchair.
 | Now" said Edwards, "I think I am | perfectly satisfied. You have behaved beautifully, dear bishop, and am de- lighted to find that was perfectly right in relying upon your goodness of heart have only two more things to say, that your sermon this morning was ex- cellent and your dinner this evening l equally so. AS to that deal, why, we will talk 1t over next time we meet, which may not be, alas, for a long time"
 A chloroformed handkerchief did the rest, and soon the old bishop was sleep ing soundly on the floor of his library.
 Edwards drew long breath as he l walked into the hall He could hear conversation in the drawing room. and 1t once concluded all was safe. 50. re- looking the library door, he put the key In his pocket and walked boldly into the drawing room.
 "Ladies.'' said he, "I will bid you good night now. with many thanks for your kind hospitality. By the way, the bishop does not wish to be disturbed for at least an hour He is busy in the li- brary studying some information have just given him in regard to a little deal Tomorrow evening I may call again. Thank you both" Polite as ever, he bowed himself out of the house gracefully. Strange to say, cab was waiting for him.
 "Jim," said he to the driver, "go slow till you get round the corner. Then to the station like hell. I've copped the pile. We'll divvy later"
 Then the cab started.
 l H. ADDNaTON BRUCE