The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-05-20

volumincus sk1fts across . -
luckily clean, che swept Into a. ~
with her usual graceful. lansu41 .
bought my coat and select.s
lace. and went On to - ~. -
chose Z few modest and one ]. !
more expensive blouses, then - 20
on to third and last shop. w sns
was choosing some ribbon in thu ~
colored ribbon department. Mr. ~ =
ker said to me: s's
II am just going to the h..n
chiefs; Il viii Join you in the ~ =
partment you are going thereri ~
Yes, shan't be long"
Nor l." she answered; II ana -.
tired" l had finished my purcv
when she came back.
Are you ready II am fee.,. .
faint. Do you mind hurryingr
Pm just ready" said, 'this ~
moment" and put my hand 1. =.
mum to get my purse. There ~. :.
purse there, and l gave a CRY a q.
may. MRS. Vereker!-my purses- q.
gone!-and / had f25 in 1t. haa l..
moment ago-I must have put It d.
in the ribbon department"
Let me pay" she began-butf =,
terrupted her.
Nonsense, It can't be really reass-
and almost ran to the ribbon devarrt
ment.
found the shopwalker and thu ~.
sistant-but no one had seen Il ina
baskets Of ribbon were hastily ses.ch
ed without result.
1T is very dangerous to lay nm,
purse down In crowd" said the json.
walker, who knew me well; ITS ni,
a wonder, madam, you didn't lose ron,
muf as we'll"
Invent back disconsolate to thu tur
department.
II am 80 awfully sorry to have kent
YOU" began, trying not to show N,
vexation more than could help airs
you betterY
She nodded and rose with Aaste
Eyes, but let's 60, If you don't rhd
You can come back again and max,
inquiries. 1t doesn't matter about ron,
purse. i have heaps Of things and btu
of fur do not want"
Nonsense" I said, "as though |
should take yours"
But, my dear child, have 80 many,
and surely married woman can help
a girl; besides, dare say the purse
will turn up"
Pardon me, madam"
A grave-looking man in frock coat
slid past me and laid his hand armly
on Mrs. Vereker's arm at the nenen,
she was stepping into my motor.
What is it? This lady has left all
information about her purse" Sh,
moved her arm haughtily.
The mans face grew graver.
Perhaps you will kindly come" bach
with me. It's you we want, II you
please, madam"
There was faint sneer on the word
madam" and Mrs. Verekers face
blanched.
What do you mean?" she stammer
ed. "How dare you? Cannot you see
1 am Ill and wish to 60 home at cnce"
I sprang to her side. "Never mind
about the wretched purse" l said to
the man. '"This lady is not wei, let
her go home, and 1 will come Back
about the purse"
The man took no notice of me-, but
bending to Mrs. Vereker said some
thing that made her step suddenly
back and stand by his side. Ehea, to
my utter amazement, shaking obvious
" from head to foot, and without even
looking at me, she turned into the store
and I followed in bewildered dismay.
It was soon over. A few minutes In
a private room and two female search
ers had taken the heavy coat. far heav'
Ter now with the lace and fss ana
flowers and blouses that were marvel
ously fastened In its ample folds. Un'
der her cloak ana attached to her waiM
by firm hooks hung several furs una
many pieces OF. costly lace.
Mrs. vereker, white as death, snow
ed no sign of what she must be feel'
ing, but looked in front Of her win
dazed, set face, while 1 slipped ousaos
to the waiting man. He was taikms
to another shopwalker, who, luckily
knew me well.
what is it?' asked. us sns
thief pa silly question he answered.
at once. s6f
Zone of the worst shoplifters IN Lon,
dom" he said laconically, "and ys'
we've never been able to eaten nsl.
Her husband Is doing six months ~"
for the, very same thing. she sn. ~
you were known here, mada"' 'D'
brought you to shield her"
'sBut how did you find her %. -. ~
day?' asked, aghast "and wna' w.
you sec her take7" ~.
Something that belongs to you -,
said, as he gravely handed ."
purse. london Daily Mall.
Sure Of Her. ulu
/