Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-01-20
The Argus Daily Short Story
The Bishops Experiment-By Kate Y. Dunno.
COpyrighted. 1910. by Associated Literary Presa

on the counter, swept IT along the
glass unnoticed by the mob of women
surging toward the bargain Mecca
ahead. He was not seen. His hand
touched the bag, closed over 1t, drew
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 that shop, for to carry out
his object lesson necessitated giving
up that anticipated companionship 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 wretched gold thing was glitter
ing so brightly in his pocket.
His parochial visit was not pleasant;
his walk was not pleasant; nothing
was pleasant. He was obliged to eat
solitary lunch, as Aline had rounded
out her shopping expedition by lunch
ing at her mothers. Even the tele-
phone bell did not ring, as he half ex-
pected it might. Nothing happened.
and he and that bag seemed to be the
only occupants of that quiet house.
Aline reached home just in time to
dress for dinner Then he had a visitor,
who detained him until the last mo-
ment, so he had no chance for sight
of Aline until he found her at the
table.
He had pictured her distract. wor-
ried, had planned it all-what she
should say and he should answer and
what the result would be-but the best
laid plans of mice and men gang aft
agley. and be 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 had first lured
him from sermons and from services
by the magic of her charm.
She had seen old friends by chance.
had lunched with a group of favOrite
aunts and cousins who had made much
of her and had found just the desired
bit of lace at that sale. The day had
been a success from start to finish.
You didn't lose your purse, did
you" The bishop felt impelled final
ly to jump into the ditch of his own
digging. Aline looked her astonish-
ment.
Lose my purser' she said. "Why.
no. of course. 1 didn't What a fun
ny question. James, Just because l
lost that pin-or. rather. it lost itself
you needn't think l am going to lose
everything else l own"
Are you sure you have your purse?"
The bishop was obviously perplexed
at her answer
Jimmie" she said, II am going to
send for an alienist You certainly
have softening of the brain. My purse
is up in my bureau drawer at this very
moment"
The bishop was growing excited.
Go and look for It." he interrupted
Il know it is not there"
Aline was staring at him with mark
ed wonder in her blue eyes. Jim
mic. listenp' she said. emphasizing her
words by tapping the table with the
end of a spoon. MY purse is in my
drawer. where / put it when 1 came
home unless you have stolen it."
Perhaps L have" The bishops face
was q study in crimson, and he spoke
in a loud. dictatorial way. Go and
get it,
Aline's eyes filed with tears. She
had never heard her husband speak
In that way before. She was hurt and
a little frightened. though she would
not show it
Certainly" she said in a very digni-
fed tone. sweeping out Of the room.