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

flying HbtStepS. uHSHlnk eyes. ROiu
bug asrg into his lap. There. Jim.
mic crazy. crazy boy exclaimed a
triumphant voice. Now will you be
goody'
The very bag-thc very-cobwebs
filled the bishops brain for n moment.
IL don't see" he stammered. wait
minute. will you?" Then he In his
turn lied upstairs and went TO his bu-
reau drawer. The very bag. II took
him some time TO get his bearings. to
summon up courage TO go down to
that lighted room aud 10 the reproach-
full chances OF those blue eyes. But
the bishop was good sport. although
the brilliancy OF his sermons was
sometimes open to criticism. Down to
the dining room he bravely walked
and laid the bag beside its duplicate.
Aline looked aud locked and looked
again Then her haughtiness was that
of tragedy queen:
James. explain. Did you think you
had my bug: And where did you get
it?"
The bishop was silent He was abb
| sentniindedly comparing the duptl-
Gates Aline's had her monogram on
the framework: the other had only
Initials. M. NJ IS" lie repeated It
over and over TO himself. as IL 1t were
a favorite refrain. Then he knew that
his day of judgment had come.
Il stole it,
Where. james,"
Il saw you on Main street this morn
ing his tone was of the yet un-
shrivcn monk-"l followed you into
Pierce's to ask you to walk down to
the Grants with me- saw yonr bag
lying on the counter beside<your NUT,
| and I-tonk IT,"
What for?
why. Just to-to"-the bishop was
growing extremely nervous under the
steady gaze ~ those questioning blue
eyes-"why. my dear. to-hang IL all.
Aiine. 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 10 give
her moments fright for any reason
Il all. Is something for which there can
ne no possible explanation and which
! don't even care TO think about. But
| do say this-l think when a bishop
stoops 10 those dreadful things II is
time for his wife TO leave himl'
High tragedy was written all over
the little lady's face rs she folded her
arms. arched her eyebrows aud looked
sternly nj her writhing husband. Then
a sudden change OF expression swept
over her mobile face. lanes" she
said. did you really aud truly do 1t
for the good OF your poor black sheep?
Did yon steal your wife's purse to
save her soul!'
Silence
".lames..'
Stlll silence while the bishop twirled
lock OF hair fnriously between his
thumb and foreiinger.
james. answer me-
The bishop turned appealing eyes TO
hers hard. so coId-and rs their
eyes met something happened. Laugh
ter such ms possesses the spirits of
elfland overcame the dignitied bishop
and his wife. Words were impossible.
Anger WAS n 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 10 speak.
Lets see whose II is she said.
4 nd hn htkh ma hap "a In
wiping his eyes with the other.
M. NJ u. Him." muttered Allne.
Then opening he bag. she held aloft
n visiting card. James" she shrleked.
III IN mothers"
His mother.in.law's. The bishop was
speechless this time with horror.
Aline was an only child. her mother
ever on the watch lest ne should let
the winds If 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?" Ills tone was that
| enjoyed his misery.
Do: sue said. "Ihcre are several
things you can do. aud you will have
TO do Que Of them quickly. or mother
viii be here asking my advice about
what she can do To recover H. Father
gave II to tier on their last anniver-
sary. and she will lie frantic AT having
lost t. Ry the way. | don't see why
you didn't see her IN the shop"
Neither do |. Now tell me what to
do"
AIine held up her plump hand aud
counted of fingers as she spoke: Way
No. !. messenger boy sent to leave II
- her door. with no explanation. note
Or card spirit too cowardly for bish.
op TO resort To: way No. =. send nc
once TO i'ierce's saying you found it,
falsehood unworthy VI your ideals:
way No. 3. take II To her yourself aud
own M to your methods OF improving
her child's character"
Silence. The bishop looked down.
cast. .Allne roguish.
"weli. James," she said at last.
"wbat have you decided 10 doi Mercy.
Il. -. "a.