The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1910-04-21

Gates. Aline's had her monogram on
the framework; the other had only
initials, M NJ. b." He repeated it
over and over to himself, as If it were
a favorite refrain. Then he knew that
his day Of judgment had come.
81 stole itp'
"Where, JamesT
81 saw you on Main street this morn
ing''-his tone was of the yet un-
shriven monk-"T followed you into
Pierce's to ask you to walk down to
the Grants with me, l saw your bag
lying on the counter beside your muff,
and I-took IT,"
what forp'
"Why, just to--tO"-the bishop was
growing extremely nervous under the
steady gaze Of those questioning blue
eyes-"why, my dear, to-hang it all,
Aline! Haven't you any imagination?
Can't you imagine why?"
Certainly not-and / don't propose
to try! The idea of bishop stealing
his wife's purse, even trying to give
her a moments fright for any reason
at all, Is something for which there can
be no possible explanation and which
| don't even care to think about. But
| do say this--I think when a bishop
stoops to those dreadful things it is
time for his wife to leave himw
High tragedy was written all over
the little ladys face as she folded her
arms. arched her eyebrows and looked
I sternly at her writhing husband, Then
sudden change Of expression swept
over her mobile face. James" she
said. did you really and truly do it
for the good of your poor black sheep?
Did you steal your wife's purse to
save her soul?'
Silence.
"Jamesp'
Still silence while the bishop twirled
lock of hair furiously between his
thumb and forefnger.
James, answer me-"
The bishop turned appealing eyes to
hers-so hard, so cOld-and as their
eyes met something happened. Laugh
ter such as possesses the spirits of
elfland overcame the dignified bishop
and his wife. Words were impossible.
Anger was a thing of the past, Expla-
nations needed not to be made. Peals
Of laughter met and mingled across
the table Aline was the first to re-
cover sufficiently to speak.
Lets see whose it is" she said.
And the bishop handed it to her, while
wiping his eyes with the other.
IN. NJ B. H'm! muttered Aline.
Then, opening the bag, she held aloft
visiting card James," she shrieked,
ut is mother'sw
His mother-in-laws The bishop was
speechless-thi time with horror.
Aline was an only child, her mother
ever on the watch lest he should let
the winds of life blow too strongly on
her child. He never could face her
after situation like this. She was
always severe on his clerical ideas.
And now this!
What can | do?' His tone was that
of suppliant, and Aline thoroughly
enjoyed his misery.
Dor she said. "There are several
things you can do, and you will have
to do one Of them quickly, or mother
will be here asking my advice about
what she can do to recover it. Father
gave ii to her on their last anniver-
sary, and she will be frantic at having
lost it. BY the way, don't see why
you didn't see her in the shop
"Neither do |. Now tell me what to
do"
AIne held up her plump hand and
counted off fingers as she spoke: "Way
No, /, messenger boy sent to leave it
at her door, with no explanation, note
or card-splrit too cowardly for a bish-
op to resort to; way No. ., send at
once to Pierce's, saying you found it
falsehood unworthy of your ideals;
way No. 3, take it to her yourself and
own up to your methods of improving
her child's character"
Silence. The bishop looked down
cast, Aline roguish.
well James," she said at last,
"what have you decided to do? Mercy,
there's the telephone! oh, my dear,
suppose it's motherv'
1t was. MutIling the transmitter,
Aline whispered in flush of excite
ment:
Dearest, II l save your life now will
you stop trying to save my soul any
more"
The bishops answer was unintelligi-
BILE, but understood Still Aline did not
show her hand.
And, dearest, If | do you must let
me choose the text for your special
sermon next Sunday. Yes? Now listen
while | show you what can be done
with a complicated situation"
Saycd-not by grace, but by Aline-a
very meek bishop took his place in the
pulpit the following Sunday and an
nounced as his text The way of the
transgressor Is hard"
All the Printers Fault.
What became of that paper you
were going to start in the interest Of
uplifting the poor tramp?' asked the
interviewer
"Ah, IT fell through" confessed the |
great reformer. with much agitation,
land all on account of the blooming |
of the printer"
Did he make grave error?"
81 should say so. You know the pa
per WAS to no named the Bar of Hone