The daily Alaskan., 1905-10-30
The Changed Bag
IOrlrInall

! counter. Then went to the other eud, where there was a lady for whom l was obliged to wait before getting room. I bought a pair of glOyes- open ed my bag and put them in. l did so without looking into the bag. l passed the lady for whom I had waited. She was standing at the end of the counter ] had first visited, and 1 remember see ing a bag before her that looked so like mine that looked down to discoy- CT if had my own bag in my hand l and saw that 1t was an exact duplicate ] of the one before the lady. l thought nothing of this, for they were a very common type.
 When l got home I tossed It into a closet. The next day, before going out with It, I opened 1t to put in some samples. I was surprised to find in itI a purse containing $2O, few samples and a letter the envelope of which was missing Eager to learn what these things meant, read the letter. It. ran:
 ] Dear Julle-Mcet me Thursday after l noon (3:l5) at the northeast angle Of the | open square. 1 shall disguise myself as | an old man. Wear the costume or an old | woman. Mary doesn't suspect anything. 1 Don't fail. GILBERT. was petriicd with horror l was Mary: Gilbert was my lover. The writing was disguised, but the longer | I looked at 1t the more l was convinced that 1t was a bad attempt to conceal the hand of Gilbert Mcrriman. l glNnc' | ed at the clock had just half an hour to get to the place of meeting.
 When reached the square the clock | in St. Paurs spirc stood at &lQ. ] | walked to the northeast angle draw ing a heavy veil down over my face, | through which 1 coud see, but not be recognized. l 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 ] ask ed # she would sell me one. She held ont her basket for me to choose, but did not speak. l looked into her face and felt sure that l had caught my bird.
 "JulleT" l asked
 She gave a repressed shrick.
 You and Gilbert are mistaken in thinking Mary does not suspect You must have lost Guberts letter. fo' Mary has it and will be hcre-ucrhapS | is here now-tO expose you. As Soau as he comes both of you follow me. ] will take you to 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 a side entrance to the square, and the old woman hastened toward him. They stood talking excitedly the man look ing at me with evident suspicion. The woman was apparently begging hjm | to do as I 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 l thing to him, and they both started for me, followed by the woman.
 I began to be frightened.
 When they reached me the old man HtT 4, Fg7svTT0 rH
 "Is that your bag?" he asked.
 Heavens, yes! l didn't notice 1t be- fore"
 In my excitement at my discovery of the letter on leaving the house l had snatched up the bag with it's contents, and there 1t was hanging to my wrlFt The old man took 1t from me and opened 1t.
 Heres your property" he said to the woman, land 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. I was startled to hear him say not Gilbert Merriman, but George Gilbert. The policeman took the bag and its contents Und-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 Merrimnn. vowed that I would be tried and con Yicted as a thief rather than send for him. Indeed, they took me to the vejy door of a cell before I succumbod. One look inside the hOrrid place was enough.
 wait" I said. Tn send for a, friend"
 They took me back to the office, gave me pencil and paper, and wrote a note to Gilbert begging him to come to me at once. The messenger was 8 long while finding him, and when he came I was ready to collapse. neg CT shall forget the look of pained Woll der on his face when he saw me.
 "What in the world is the meaning off
 "Oh, Gilbert, I've been very silly Yesterday I changed bags while shop ping with a woman at a store. There was a note in the bag I picked up | s-.1 tfTrF11-,rE't r., o rrfr1 r10n7DI Julin