Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1905-08-18
MRS. MILLS D. VAN wAGENEN

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MRS. MILLS D. VAN wAGENEN.
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0h-Mag! Shame on you not to
know the name even Of the bishop Of
the great state. of-yes, the lean. short
little bishop with little white beard.
and the softest eye and the softest
heart and-my very own bishop. Nancy
0lden's bishop. And this was his wife.
Tut-tut Magl OF course not. A
bishops wife. may be a kleptofSaniac:
It's only Cruelty girls that really steal
from stores.
I've met the bishop. Mrs. Van
Wagenen. didn't say how-she
wouldn't appreciate that story. "Ant
he was once very kind TO me. But be
would be the first TO tell me to do my
duty now. I'll dc it as quietly as
car for his sake. But you must come
with me or must arrest"
She put up a shaking hand. Deal
little old guy! o
"Dont-dont say il! It's all a ais
take, which can be rectifed in a mo
ment I've been trying 10 match this
piece Of lace for years. got il a
Malta when-when Mills and I-oI
our honeymoon When ! saw II there
on the counter ] was so delighted,
never thought intended taking II Il
the light to be sure the pattern wal
the same, my eyesight is SO wretcheC
and when you spoke to me II wa
the first inkling ] had that had real
ly taken ii without paying! You Ger
tainly understand" she pleaded in agi
tation. 81 have no need TO steal-yol
must know that-oh, that ] 'wouldn'
that ] couldn't II you WIN jus
| iel uc pay yOu-
Here now, Mag Monahan, don't YOU
get To sneering. She was straight
right on the level all right 70,
couldn't listen to that cracked littl'
voice Of hers a minute without being
sure Of It.
was Just about to permit her sra
ciOusly to pay me the money-for m!
friend, the dear bishops sake, o
course-when a big hoor-walkeD hap
pened to catch sight of us.
III you'll come with me, Mrs. Val
Wagenen, to dressing-room, I'll ar
range your collar FOR you" said yer!
loud And then in whisper: 20
course, understand but the thini
may look different 10 other people
And that big floor-walker there get
a commission from the newspaper
every time he tells them"
She gave a squawk for all the worlt
like dried-up little hen scuttling. on
of a yellow dogs way and we tool
the elevator TO. the second floor
The minute ! closed The door of tn,
little ftting-room she held out the lac,
to me. o
81 have changed my mind" she said
land shall give you the lace back.
will not keep IT, cannot-I canno
bear the sight Of il. II terrifes 10,
and shocks me can take no pleas
ure In 1t. Besides-besides, Il Will b,
discipline for me to do without II nov
that | have found Il after all thes
years. Every day. ] shall look at tn,
place In my collection which II woult
have occupied, and.I shall say to my
self Maria Van Wagenen. TAX
warning. See TO what terrible strait
worldly passion may bring one
what unconscious greed may dol
shall give the money to Mills TO
charity and will never-neva Al
that place in my collection"
what good will that do?" asked
puzzled, while | folded the collar u
into very small package,
you mean thai ought TO submit
to the exposureAthat l. deserve tn,
lesson and the punishment-not 70
stealing. but for being absorbed n
worldly things. Perhaps you ar
right. II certainly shows that 20,
have at some time been under Mills
: spiritual care, my dear. wonder |
he would insist-whether ought
yes, ] suppose he would, OH.
A. saleswoman's' head was thrust Il
the door. Excuse me-" she said. "
thought the room was empty"
We've just finished trying on"
said, sweetly. 4.
Don't go!" The. bishops wifi
turned to her, her little flutterin,
hands held out appealingly And d
not misunderstood me. The thin
may seem wrong in your eyes, as thi
-oung woman says, but n you vii
listen patiently to my explanation,
am sure you will see that II was
mere eager oversight-the fault o
Observation-Disclosures, hardly the sin o
covetousness. and surely not a crime
I am making this Confession"
The tender conscience of the dear
blameless little soul! She was actual
ly giving herself away. Worse-sh
was giving me away, too. But