The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-04-01

Nor l." she answered; 4 am very
tired" l had finished my purchases
when she came back.
Are you ready? am feeling Sc faint.
Do you mind %hurrying'
I'm just ready" l said, this very
moment" and / pu. my hand in my
muf to get my purse. There was no
purse there, and l gave a cry of dis
may. Mrs. Vereker.-my purse!-it's
gone!-and had 925 in it. 1 had it a
moment ago-I must have put it down
in the ribbon department"
Let me pay" she began-but ! in.
terrupted her.
Nonsense. it can't be really gone
and | almost ran to the ribbon depart
ment.
l found the shopwalker and the as
sistant-but no one had seen it, and
baskets of ribbon were hastily searched
without result.
1T is very dangerous to lay your
purse down in a crowd" said the shop
walker, h knew me well; its only a
wonder, madam, you didn't lose your
muff as we'll"
went back d~isconsolate to the fur de-
partment.
Il am awfully sorry to have kept you"
[ began, trying not to show my eXa
ton more than l could help. Are you
better?"
She nodded and rose with haste. Yes,
but let's go if you ont mind You
can come back again and make inquir-
les II doesn't Nation q hNr,f xO,,r n,,rca
[ have heaps of things and bits of fur
| do not want
Nonsense" l said, "as though !
should take yours"
But, my dear child, l have SO many.
and surely a married woman can help a
girl; besides l dare say the purse will
turn up"
Pardon ne, madam
A grave-loOking man in a frock coat
slid past me and laid his hand firmly on
Mrs. Vereker's arm at the moment she
was just stepping into the motor.
what is it? This lady has left all
Information about her purse" She
moved her arm haughtiiy.
The mans face grew graver
"Perhaps o will kindly come back
with me-. It's you we want, if you please.
madam"
There was a faint sheer on the word
madam" and Mrs. Vereker's face
blanched.
"What 90 you mean?" she stammered.
How dare you? Cannot you see l am
i'll and wish to go home at once?"
| sprang to her side. Never mind
about the wretched purse" said to the
man. This lady is not we'll, let her go
home, and l will come back about the
purse
The man took Dc notice of me, but
bending to Mrs. Vereker said something
that made her step suddenly back and
stand by his side. Then, to my utter
a"mazement, shaking obviously from
head to foot, and without ever looking
at me, she turned into the shop and |
followed in bewildered dismay.
1t was soon over. a few minutes in q
private room and two female searchers
had taken the heavy coat, far heavier
now with lace and fUrs and flowers and
blOuses that were marvelously fastened
in it's ample folds. Under her cloak and
attached to her waist by firm hooks
hung several furs and many pieces Of
costly lace.
Mrs. NeTeker. white as death, showed
sign Of what she must be feeling, but
loked in front Of her with a dazed, set
face, while l slipped outside to the wait
ing man. He was talking to another
shopwalker, who, luckily, knew me we'll
What is it," | asked. rs she a
thief?"-a silly question he answered at
once.
Zone of the worst shoplifters in Lon
dom he said, laconically, and yet
we've never been able to catch her. Her
husband is doing six months now for the
very same thing. She knew you were
here. madam, and brought you to shield
her"
But how did you find her out to-day?'
| asked. aghast, and what did you see
her take?'
Something that belongs to YOU" he
said. as he gravely handed me ny
purse.-Lo1don Mail.