Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-03-22
The Minister'S Wife
BY MRS. HENRY WOOD

two points, if you will give me pen and
ink, to which your attention must be
chiefly directed, and then if you think
you can master them, I'll mention you to
the SOLICITORS"
IF your lordship will be a the trouble
of sitting to my desk, you will find all
you require at hand" said Charles, ris-
ing to pilot him to it.
Down sat the bishop, and wrote rap
idly for five minutes. Have you some
blotting paper?" he asked.
THE blotting paper is under the paper
you are writing upon," explained Charles,
and the bishop drew it out.
Bending his head, he stared at it
through his spectacles. Then, turning his
severe face to Charles, he spoke in tone
that ought to have annihilated him.
DO you give this to me to use, sir?"
Charles advanced quickly, looked and
stood confounded with vexation. On the
blotting pad, white and clean, for the
top sheet must have been taken off, was a
| fancy drawing in pen and ink, bold, clear
and well done, of half dozen ballet girls
lin very airy costumes. The color flew
bishop was. What on earth, would he
judge, must be his private pastimes, if
he could adorn his professional desk with
such sketches, and set a bishop down to
regale his eyes with them?
Charles tore off the sheet in a heat.
81 assure you, my lord on my word Of
honor, that l know not how those-those
things came there. Some one must have
been here last night unknown to me, and
taken the liberty to leave remembrance
behind him."
ALLOW me to recommend you to burn
it, sir" said the scandalized divine.
"Yes, but l will first of all endeavor
TO identify the offender" was Charles
answer.
Up rose the bishop, his head erect.
Charles attended him downstairs, but his
lordship did not shake hands with him.
Back tore Charley, two stairs at time.
Joe's mother, who lived near at hand,
and came in to attend to the work at
stated times, was then removing the break
fast things.
Were you here last night while Joe
was out, Mrs. Tuff?"
"Yes, sir had some cleaning"
"Who came in?" interrupted Charles.
Nobody came, sir; not single SOUL
"Who has been into this room this
morning" continued Charles.
"Only me, sir, to put it to rights"
"Did you do this, then?" asked Mr.
Baumgarten, pushing the sheet of blot
ting paper under her eyes.
"Me" cried Mrs. Turf, who was q
sharp-faced little woman in a neat stuff
gown and white cap. you must be jok-
ing, sir. When l saw it there in dusting
thought what odd-looking ladies they
was. And l put the writing paper upon
'em to cover 'em up Bit"
Charles reflected. "Joe wouldn't dc
it" he remarked.
Joe" said Mrs. Turf in astonish
ment. why sir, Joe would not dare dc
such thing as that. He couldn't, either
Joe haven't no talent that way. Wher
he was a little one, I'd give him pencil
and piece of paper and tell him to draw
the cat, but it would come out more lik
a pump"
THAT just brings us round to my ar
gument, that some one else has been il
the room," said Charles. Now wan
to find out who that is"
at must have been done in the day
time yesterday, sir"
"The last thing, before dinner yester
day evening, after Mr.. Clay left, wrot
note at the table and used this blot
ting pad," returned Mr.. Baumgarten
"and l left it as l used it, much marke
with ink. Did Mr.. Clay come in las
night for any purpose?"
mo, sir. And if he had, he'd nc
have left them disrespectful things benin
him."
That was true enough. But Mr.. Cla!
r joint clerk to Charles and another youn
: barrister, might have let some one in wh
had so amused himself; some lawyer
' clerk with hasty brief, who possesse
2 more skill than discretion. However, th
y woman persisted that no person whateve
r had entered, and Charles Baumgarte
: thought it mystery which seemed, fc
s the moment, incapable of solution.
n Sitting down to his desk, he began
look over some papers. A few minute
a later, and Charles had occasion to ope
one of the deep drawers on either sic
/, the desk. He took his bunch of key
j. from his pocket and fitted one into IL
s. lock. But it would not open. The loc
e had evidently been tampered with-ar
" he had left it in perfect condition IL
previous evening. Mrs. Tuff was Gale
N in again.
l. "Will you believe now that some OF
II has been at mischief in the room?"
manded her master. "They have been
the drawers; l cannot unlock them"
She stood, somewhat incredulous; al
lie Mr.. Baumgarten, taking another key, tri'
re the opposite drawer. 1t opened readil
ID but he gazed at it as if transfixed. Loo
here J" he sharply uttered.
4 The woman advanced and stood hph /,