Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-12-27
The Changed Bag
lOriginal.1


counter. Then went to the other end,
where there was a lady for whom /
was obliged to wait before getting
room. bought pair of gloves, OPEN
ed my bag and put them in. 1 Gid SO
without looking into the bag. passed
the lady for whom had waited She
was standing at the end Of the counter
l had first visited, and remember see-
ing a bag before her that looked so
like mine that looked down to discov-
er if l had my own bag in my hand
and saw that it was an exact duplicate
Of the one before the lady. l thought
nothing Of this, for they were a very
common type.
When got home tossed it into a
closet. The next day, before going
out with it, opened it to put in some
samples. 1 was surprised to find in it
a purse containing $50, a few samples
and letter, the envelope of which
was missing. Eager to learn what
these things meant, read the letter. 1t
ran:
Dear Julie-Meet me Thursday after
noon (S:15) at the northeast angle of the
open square. I shall disguise myself as
an old man. Wear the costume of an old
woman. Mary doesn't suspect anything.
Don't fail GILBERT
I was petrifed with horror. was
Mary; Gilbert was my lover. The
writing was disguised, but the longer
looked at it the more was convinced
that it was bad attempt to conceal
the hand of Gilbert Merriman. glanc-
ed at the clock. I had just half an
hour to get to the place of meeting.
When reached the square the clock
in st. PauPs spire stood at $40. l
walked to the northeast angle, draw
ing a heavy veil down over my face,
through which I could see, but not be
recognized. 1 concluded to sit on one
Of the benches and wait. Several
women came in, but they were all
young and passed on. Five minutes
before the appointed time an old WON
an came by with a basket Of apples
on her arm. AS she passed me l ask
ed If she would sell me one. She held
out her basket for me to choose, but
did not speak. 1 looked into her face
and felt sure that 1 had caught my
bird.
julien asked.
She gave q repressed Shrek.
"You and Gilbert are mistaken in
thinking Mary does not suspect. You
must have lost Gilbert's letter, for
Mary has it and will be here-perhaps
is here nOw-to expose you. As soon
as he comes both of you follow me- 1
will take you to a place where you
can confer in safety"
"Dear, dear woman, how kind you
are! There he is now. I'll go and tell
him.
An old man, much bent and leaning
heavily on his cane, came in at side
entrance 60 the square, and the old
woman FASTENED toward him. They
stood talking excitedly, the man look
ing at me with evident suspicion. The
woman was apparently begging him
to do as had suggested, but he ap-
peared to be of a different mind. A
policeman happened to stroll by, and
the man called to him and said some
thing to him, and they both started for
me, followed by the woman.
began to be frightened.
When they reached me the old man
called to julie to come forwSrd.
'Is that your bag?' he asked.
Heavens, yes! l didn't notice it be-
FORE"
In my excitement at my discovery Of
the letter on leaving the house / had
snatched up the bag with its contents,
and there it was hanging to my wrist.
The old man took it from me and
opened it.
Here's your property" he said to
the woman, "and here's the thief. Take
her along, policeman"
"Not unless you'll agree to appear
against her."
The man promised, giving his name
and address. 1 was startled to hear
him say not Gilbert Merriman, but
George Gilbert. The policeman took
the bag and it's contents and-great
heavens!-marched me to the police
station.
The only person in the world on
whom I could rely to help me out Of
the scrape was Gilbert Merriman.
vowed that / would be tried and con-
victed as a thief rather than send for
him. Indeed, they took me to the very
door of a cell before | succumhed.
One look inside the horrid place was
enough.
"Wait," I said. 'I'll send for a
friend"
They took me back to the Office, gave
me pencil and paper, and l wrote
note to Gilbert begging him TO come
to me at once The messenger was
long while finding him, and when he
came 1 was ready to collapse. l new
er shall forget the look of panied Won
der on his face when he saw me.
"What in the world is the meaning
off,
ooh, Gilbert, I've been very silly.