Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1903-12-09

IOr PITY Sdhe, not my Deard!
Nonsense snapped the stranger,
as with a quick movement he restored
the revolver to his POCKET and brought
out a razor. You've got your lucky
stars to thank that I hold strangely
superstitious views about murder or
shouldn't have taken all this trouble.
don't want to resort to extremes,
but if you don't sit still" He made
an expressive gesture, first drawing the
razor across his own throat and then
throwing out his arms as if casting a
heavy body out of the carriage door,
But my beard!" cried the wretched
bishop. think. if you shave me,
/" and then his voice failed; the
crooked light in the mans eyes looked
SO ominous and the razor cleaned so
sharply bright in the sunlight that for
the first time in his SIS years he fell for
ward in a dead faint When
he came to himself some time later
the train was still buzzing and rocking
through space and the whistle was
shrieking cheerfully. He felt uncom-
monty sick and cold, and with frenzied
haste he put his hands to his throat
His throat was still intact, but his
beautiful beard-the envy of the whole
bench of bishOps-the' theme of poets
and journalists-was gone!
He turned his heavy eyes round the
carriage. For the first moment he
thought he was alone-then he had
misty impression that he had Weakened
up in another world and was looking
at himself-7for opposite to him reading
his paper, with crossed legs and
naughty demeanor, sat to all intents
and purposes the bishop Of Steadmin-
ster! He saw it all now. This villain,
housebreaker, diamond thief, or what
ever he might be, had conceived this
extraordinary daring plan for Guiding
justice. He would trade on his possess
sion OF handsome beard to pass him
self Off as DR.. Bigworth, and SO get
free of the station-perhaps of London.
What was to be done? The real
bishop lay back in his corner think
ing out a plan of campaign. He would
sit still till the train stopped-noth-
ing was to be gained by argument
and give this audacious BLACKBOARD
into charge before he had time to
Stir. He glanced ruefully at his plaid
trousers and rubbed his chin atresh.
OF course, he must look odd; but there
was sure to be some one on the train
who would know their own bishop from
a make-believe. Yes, it all depended
on rapidity of action directly they had
roc oh Cd fHAi
little nearer to the door. The pseudo
divine went on calmly reading, and
seemed entirely unconscious that there
was anyone else in the carriage.
AT last the train dashed out of the
open fields and in between rows of
smoky houses; then it slackened and
in few minutes they had crawled
into Paddington. DR.. Bigworth, with
sharp movement, put his hand over
the door and clasped the handle with
his fingers. Fetch the guard" he
whispered to porter, who had come
civilly up and said Luggage, sir?"
to his travelling companion. The
porter only stared at him and sup
pressed smile. But at that moment.
as luck would have it, the guard
CHANGED to pass. Guard cried DR..
Bigworth, eXcitedly, II wish to give
this fellow in charge. 1 am the bishop
of Steadminster, though I am aware
l don't look exactly like him at this
moment. This villain has taken my
clothes, threatened me, sha-'
At this point the guard, who had
h0pn c,io
bishop at the end of the compartment,
held up his hand.
Quietly, my man, Quietly!" he said,
turning round to wink at an inspector
who stood close by. ''Oh, yes, you're
the bishop of Steadminster right
enough. Now, just let this other gen.
tleman get out-he's in a hurry-and.
then you can tell me all about it,
But I am the bishop, 1 tell you
you fool,'' cried the exasperated di-
vine; ASK anyone in the train who
knows me-this mans an impostor."
The impostor meanwhile had quietly
gathered up his bag and the bishops
travelling rug, and was engaged in put
ting on the bishops hat. He bent
across and whispered something rapid
ly into the guards ear.
The guard touched his cap respect
fully. Eyes, m'lord," he said, defer
entially; Il hope he hasn't worried
you much, mlord?"
mot at all-not at all" said the false
bishop, in patronizing tone "If
weren't in such desperate hurry I'd
try to find the poor fellows friends
/ fear he's escaped from somewhere.