Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-15


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 Oh-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 Olden's bishop. And this was his wife.
 Tut-tut. Mag. Of course not. A bishops wife may be kleptomaniac; 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. And he was once very kind to me. But he would be the first to tell me to do my duty now I'll do 1t as quietly as I can for his sake. But you must come with me or must arrest"
 She put up a shaking hand. Dear little old guy!
 ''Don't-don't say it! It's all mis- take, which can be rectified in mo- ment. I've been trying to match this piece of lace for years. I got it at Malta when-when Mills and Ion our honeymoon When saw it there on the counter I was so delighted-l never thought intended taking it to the light to be sure the pattern was the same, my eyesight is so wretNhed and when you spoke to me it was the first inkling I had that had real ly taken it without paying! You cer- tainly understand" she pleaded in agi- tation. I have no need to steal-you must know that--oh, that l wouldn't that I couldn't If you will just let me pay you-'
 Here now, Mag Monahan, don't you get to sneering. She was straight right on the level, all right. You couldn't listen to that cracked little voice of hers a minute without being sure of it.
 I was just about to permit her gra- ciously to pay me the money-for my friend. the dear bishops sake, of course-when a big floor-walker hap pened to catch sight of us.
 "If you'll come with me, Mrs. Van wagenen to a dressing-room. I'll ar range your collar for you" said very loud. And then, in whisper: "Of course. I understand. but the thing may look different to other people And that big foor-walker there gets a commission from the newspapers every time he tells them"
 She gave squawk for all the world like a dried-up little hen scuttling out of a. yellow dogs way. and we took the elevator to the second foorroarr
 The minute I closed the door of the little fitting-room she held out the lace to me
 q have changed my mind," she said "and shall give you the lace back. will not keep it. cannot-I cannot bear the sight of it. It terrifies me and shocks me. can take no pleas ure in it. Besides-besides. it will be discipline for me to do without 1t now that I have found it after all these years. Every day shall look at the place in my collection which 1t would have occupied. and I shall say to my. self: Maria Van Wagenen. take warning. See to what terrible straits . worldly passion may bring one; what unconscious greed may do!' shall give the money 10 Mills fol charity and I will never-never Ill that place in my collection"
 What good will that do" I asked puzzled. while folded the collar uT into a very small package.
 You mean that ought to submit to the exposure-that deserve ths lesson and the punishment-no fol stealing. but for being absorbed ir worldly things. Perhaps you ars right. It certainly shows that vol have at some time been under Mills spiritual care. my dear. wonder il he would insist-whether ought yes, I suppose he would. Oh."
 A saleswoman's head was thrust IT the door. Excuse me" she said, :" thought the room was empty"
 We've just finished trying on." said. sweetly.
 Don't go," The bishops wife turned to her. her little nutterins hands held out appealingly. And dC not misunderstood me. The thinl may seem wrong in your eyes. as thii young woman says. but If you vii