The bee., 1897-11-25
Are you dining with friends this even.

''No such luck" answered Edwards
quickly. II dine at the hotel. I'll have
turkey, of course and all that sort OF
thing, but 1t will not seem the same
old Thanksgiving dinner to which !
have been accustomed "
Then he added earnestly:
Bishop, If | did not feel that you
would refuse me 1 would ask you to
come and dine with me this evening. /"
1--WE can do much better than that, -
broke in the bishop warmly. II would
be pleased if you would come and dine
with us. We are having but small
family dinner, and you would be en-.
tirely welcome TO share it. I"
Edwards surprise at this unexpected
Kindness must have been very apparent,
for the bishop fastened to add, his face
beaming with good will:
Now, will listen to no objections,
for you can have none in reason. My
home is only a short distance up Madi.
son avenue, and see you are quite pre-
pared to go out "
Still smiling with good nature, the
worthy bishop started up the street, fol-
lowed by the man from Chicago, pro-
testing, but in truth rather feebly.
On the way the Chicagoan explained
TO the reverend gentleman that his
business in New York was in connec-
ton with a deal ON change and that il
the bishop cared to speculate no might
in day or two be able to give him a
valuable tip, whereat the good bishop
chuckled inwardly, for here was surely
a splendid chance to add to his finances
Thanking Edwards, he limited plainly
that he might take advantage Of his
offer, and the broker, for such he seemed
TO be, expressed the pleasure it would
afford him to DO Of any use to the
bishop
The Thanksgiving dinner passed off
splendidly, Edwards proving himself a
splendid conversationalist. just four
people participated besides the bishop
and Edwards These were the wife,
daughter and son Of the bishop and a
brother, we'll to do banker. The
daughter, about 22 years old, was a
tall, slender, willowy girl, fair of COM
plexion, with clear, blue eyes, and the
visitor was assiduous in his attentions
to her during the evening.
The son was young Princeton man.
and naturally the conversation at dinner
turned n great deal ON football and on
the days game. Edwards seemed thor
oughly mp in the game, discussing with
great fiuency on various celebrities of
western fame His mountaineering
with various Chicago clergymen, all
personal friends of the bishop. served to
advance him in the latter's good graces,
and, taken all in all, he made very
favorable impression ON the whole FAM
lily. His easy carriage, his graceful de-
pertinent and we'll chosen language
proved beyond doubt that he was a
thorough gentleman, and the bishop
congratulated himself more and more
for having met him.
shortly after the party adjourned to
the drawing room the banker. seeming.
ly to Edwards relief, announced his
intention of going home, and promptly
said good night After an evening pleas
antly passed by ALL during which the
visitor only added to the good impress
sion he had created earlier. Edwards
limited that he was about to leave.
Wait moment, please" said the
bishop 1.-The other day l bought a
painting. which / was informed was
genuine Raphael If you should happen
10 know anything about art, Mr.. Ed
wards, would very much like TO have
you step into the library and examine
it
with great pleasure, responded
Edwards. ITO tell you the truth, paint
ing has always been one of my hobbies
Excusing themselves, the bishop and
his guest crossed the hall and found
themselves in a small but coy little
room. IN which were shelves laden with
theological works. a large writing desk
a small safe aud a couple Of chairs Ed
wards took IL the situation with a
glance, and al observer would have
seen quiet smile Of satisfaction ON his
handsome face An odd thing he did.
but something that the bishop was toe
preoccupied 10 notice, was to noiselessly
turn the key in the door.
This is the picture said the bish.
op proudly Tell me just exactly what
you think of il %
The Chicagoan examined it with the
air of an expert
You need have no fears. " said he at
length, after an apparently minute sur
vey 1t is Raphael all right. aud |
congratulate you ON its possession -
The bishop gave little sigh of relief.
Thank you. said he Twas afraid
might have been duped, though am
seldom caught mapping Let us return. g."
One moment, please, - asked Ed
wards briskly ~ wish you would sit
down. as have somewhat lengthy
communication to make to you"
Why. certainly, J." from the bishop
affably. us it in reference to the deal?'
In reference to deal, repeated the
other Bishop, you have treated me
with so much kindness since we first
met that l am induced to put the conf
dence in you which | would perhaps
give to nobody else in the world"
The bishop smiled at the young man
encouragingly.
You see, he went on, 1.-THE subject
is delicate one, not to be treated light
ly. When left Chicago three days ago,
l had to leave in somewhat of hurry
md was forced to start at hardly mo-
msnt's notice. had but little time TO
pack and forgot number of things that
a gentleman always should have with
him. Among others was my watch. AS
a business man am in constant need Of
a timepiece. see you are wearing one,
bishop. Might l ask you to loan it to
me, merely to loan it to me, for couple
of days?"
"Whatv' Numbered the bishop,
aRhast.