The Press., 1904-08-03
Mrs. Van Vorst's
10CC cONsTOcK
Handkerchief
Copyright. 1908. by T. o. Mcciu,

Worst.
She laid on the table the pretty sill
yer police whistle with the satisfaction
Of having used it to good purpose.
Then she stood back complacently to
view the result.
A strange group was gathered in her
dainty dressing room. In the midst of
its gilt and whiteness and laciness, it's
filIhy curtains and tinted satin up
holsteries, stood two burly policemen
gripping her butler. Three frightened
maids huddled in the doorway, too
much terrified to come in and too
curious to go.
$50 We found him tinkerin' with a
drawer, did We, mum?' asked one of
the officers.
II found the drawer open, and he was
just putting the lace handkerchief into
his pocket" replied Mrs. Van Worst,
indicating an open drawer of the dress
er with a sweeping oratorical gesture.
for she had keen liking for the dra-
matte, and this situation appealed to
her. She was no coward, and there
was something delightful in having
entered her room to find burglar,
even though her own familiar butler.
there before her. Perhaps the affair
was more pleasing in that he had been
such an oddly mild and obliging bur
glar.
II came to my room only short
time ago." she went on, land as
entered the door l heard the sound Of
a soft step. thought that Fifine had
come in before me. Strangely enough,
I did not even glance up at first, but
stopped there by the door to arrange
those orchids. While l was bending
above them a voice spoke. Imagine
my start when l heard a mans voice
saying. 4 have stolen your handker-
Chief / repressed scream and look
ed up to recognize in this creature the
man whom l have lately employed as
my servant" =..-... ....
The man stood quietly before her
while she went on with her story
The policemen kept a wary eye upon
him, but relaxed their grip as they saw
his submission.
"What came next on the programme,
mumT the officer pursued.
II cried Base wretchr and seized
the whistle that summoned you. He
made no reply to me, but sat down
calmly as If waiting to be arrested"
"And, faith, what did he do with the
handkerchiefY'
HE was putting it into his pocket at
the time he called my attention"
(which one" "
''The right waistcoat pocket"
Two great hands of the law prepared
to search.
The man spoke gently. Don't trou-
BILE, gentlemen" he said. II can get 1t
for you easier" One of his hands was
freed, and he produced an exquisite
handkerchief of cobweblike lace. And
there's another thing want to do"
He started to reach for a hip pocket
when a rough hand stopped his.
"None o. that" snarled the officer.
'"Then I'll thank you to reach in that
pocket for me. sir"
The policeman did SO. There was no
revolver in it. He gave grunt of
chagrin.
Its the money I'd like to have you
get out, sir. l amt armed. Please give
Mrs. Van Worst SIS. That'll pay for the
little perfumery bottle l just broke
while was getting the handkerchief"
Mrs. Van Worst stared in astonish-
ment. Page was very unlike the bur
glars of stored fame. You do not look
for courtesy from the man who robs
you, and she felt for the first time in
her life i'll at ease She was supposed
to be mistress Of any situation. Her
own butler, q common thief, was baf-
fling her. az ~. ....
The policeman took five jingling dol
lars from the mans pocket and laid
them on the table.
"Sure, and it's a polite burglar he is.
num-" said he 1.-The judge III give him
chance to show his manners at an
early date. Wen trouble We no more
now, mum. Good avenin' to ye."
AS the officers marched their victim
from the room he turned and spoke to
Mrs. Van Worst.
II beg your pardon, ma'am, for the
trouble and scare I've given you, and
I'm much Obliged to you for fixing ii
all up for me so easy"
Leaving her to ponder this puZzling
remark. he disappeared with the Off
GERS. r.
From the light and warmth Of the
luxurious house the three hurried into
the bleak rain without. The patrol
wagon backed up to the sidewalk. its
step conveniently ready for the guest.
The horses fidgeted impatiently. The
restless driver changed his gong.
Hustle up there. your pOliteness,' y
growled one of the officers.
AS the man started to enter the wag-
ON he was met by Costello, a police
man who had been waiting on the
wagon.
'The divvil and ALP cried Costello
''Sure and it's Bill Pager
"It's me al! right" answered the man
with a. friendly smile and entered the
wagon.
Costello followed to act as guard, the
gong changed, the horses started of
with dash. and the assembled small
boys scattered, their show being over.
"Faith and I'd like to know what ye
mean by stain a handkerchief said
Costello after the story had been told
''Bill Page nivver saw the insoide OF
the station in his life for anything but
a dhrunk. Why, you're honester than
a barrel of good whisky"
Didn't make pretty honest steal
Of itY' Page said evasivelv
I'VE made the Quarest stale in all me
acquaintance. Afther takin' pleasure
In 'annOuncin to the lady that her
handkerchief was to your loikin' We
sits peacefully down to wait for us, with
an open window and a fire escape be-
side We. Did We think ye'd wait for
an umbrella before venturin' forth in
the inclemencyw
Page lodged the questions good
temperedly. An hour later found him
housed In the station.
1t was an establishment to every one
who knew him when 1t was told that
no had been stealing He had been