Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-02-05

The Bishops
Experiment
a Story of q Lost
Pin.
By KATE Y. dunno.
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
BY KATE Y. dunno.
loooooooooooooooe

oooooooooooooo
But. my dear. you are all wrong."
exclaimed the bishops wife. looking
reproachfully over the coffee urn.
which had hidden her piquani face
from her husbands adoring glance.
IL wasn't careless. II was the washer
woman. II you must blame somebody.
James. blame her. or course | didn't
mean 10 leave u pearl pin-and espc-
cially one you had given me-in my
laundry bag"
That afternoon as he was walking
briskly down Main street to make n
parish visit IN the distance he saw
Aline's blue hat and shining hair His
heart had habit OF beating faster at
the sight OF her slender. dainty figure.
more attractive than usual to him
among crowd of commonplace wom-
en-. lie hurried to catch up with her.
but she. too. was walking fast and had
turned into Pierce's department store
before he was near enough to join
her.
He went In. too. and secured van
tage point some feet away. where he
waited until he should have u chance
TO slip into Il space next to her.
AS he waited he noticed her gold
bag laid on the counter beside her
nun. out OF her direct line OF vision
into the bishops mind. Object lessons
often accomplish what all the lectures
In the world fail to do.
Quietly and quickly he laid an arm
on the counter. swept II along the
glass unnoficed by the mob OF women
surging toward the bargain Mecca
ahead He was not seen His hand
touched the bag. closed over IL. drew
II to him. dropped II safely into his
pocket.
Was he pickpocKet or bishop?
He certainly felt like the former
Never had he felt so abject. so crimi-
nally miserable. as when he pushed his
way out Of thar shop. for TO carry out
his object lesson necessitated giving
up that anticipated coinpanionship on
his walk So he went on out and down
town alone. wondering why the police
did not take him by the arm. why no
one pointed the finger OF scorn. while
that wreiched gold thing was glitter
Ing So brightly IN his pocket
Ills parorhial visit was not pleasant:
his walk WIS not pleasant: nothing
was pleasant. He was obliged to eat
a solitary lunch. as Allne had rounded
out her shopping expedition by lunch.
ing at her mothers Even the tele-
phone he'll did not ring. as he half ex-
pected II might. Nothing happened.
and he and that bag seemed 10 he the
only occupants OF that quiet house
Aline reached home just In time to
dress for dinner. Then he had visitor.
who detained him until the last mo.
meni. so he had no chance for II sight
table.
He had pictured her distract. wor.
ried. had planned 1t all what she
shnuld say and he should answer and
what the result would he but the best
laid plans OF mice and men gang aft
agley. and he was disappointed. Aline
was simply radiant. heSitating. having
put on the blue dress he was SO fond
OF and looking just as she had looked
IN those days when she hid first lured
him from sermons ana from services
by the magic OF her charm.
She h.. seen old friends by chance.
had iun.hcd with group If favorlt.
nunts aud cousins who had made much
Of her and had found just the desired
biz of lace al that sale. The day had
been n success from start to finish.
You didn't lose your purse. did
yoly" The bishop felt impelled final.
y TO jump into the ditch OF his own
digging. Aline looked her astonlsh.
ment.
Lose my PURSE she said. why.
no, OF course. didn't. What fun
ny question. james. Just because |
lost that pin-or rather II lost itself
you needn't think | am going 10 lose
everything else | own"
Are you sure you have your purse?'
The bishop was obviously perplexed
at her answer.
Jimmie" she said. Il am going tn
send for an alienist. You certainly
have softenlng OF the brain. My purse
is up In my bureau drawer at this very
moment"
The bishop was growing excited.
Go and lcok for IT," he interrupted.
Il know II Is not there"
Aline was staring ut him with mark
ed wonder IN her blue eyes Jim
mie. llsten.' she said. emphasizing her
words by tapping the table with the
end Of spoon. MY purse Is In my
drawer. where put 1t when came
home unless you have stolen H."
Perhaps have" The bishops face
was n study In crimson. and he spoke
In loud. dictatorial way. Go and
got it,
Allne's eyes filled with tears. She
had never heard her husband speak
In that way before. She was hurt and