The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1910-09-08

turn fed upstairs and went to his bu-
reau drawer. The very bag: It took
him some time to get his bearings. to
summon up courage to go down to
that lighted room and to the reproach-
full glances 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 and looked and looked
again. Then her haughtiness was that
Of a tragedy queen:
Games, explain! Did you think you
had my bag? And where did you get
it?'
The bishop was silent. He was alb
sentmindedly comparing the dupli-
Gates. Aline's had her monogram on
the framework; the other had only
initials. IN. M. B." He repeated it
over and over to himself, as if it were
favorite refrain. Then he knew that
his day Of judgment had come.
II stole itr'
"Where. James?'
II saw you on Main street this morn
1ng"-his tone was of the yet I'M
| shriven monk-"I followed you into
Plerce's to ask you to walk down to
the Grants with me, saw your bag
lying on the counter beside your muff,
| and 1-took it,
"What for?"
r1cS+ f1 %0S %h@ ~
| 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 a 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 him!'
High tragedy was written all over
the little lady's face as she folded her
arms, arched her eyebrows and looked
sternly at her writing 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.
"James!'
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 dignifed bishop
| and his wife. Words were impossible.
Anger was 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 isl she said.
And the bishop handed it to her. while
| wiping his eyes with the other
IN. NJ. B. HIM. muttered Aline-
| Then, opening the bag, she held aloft
visiting card. James," she shrieked.
1T is mother's:.''
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 he should let
the winds of life blow too strongly on
| her child. He never could face her
after a situation like this. She was
| always severe on his clerical ideas.
And now this.
"What can do?'' His tone was that
of a suppliant, and Aline thoroughly
enjoyed his misery.
| "Do?" 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 it 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 I. Now tell me what to
do"
Aline held up her plump hand and
counted off fingers as she spoke: ''Way
No. l. messenger boy sent to leave it
at her door. with no explanation, note
or card-spirit too cowardly for bish-
op to resort to; way No. 2. 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, nv dear.
suppose it's mother!'
It was. Muff]ing the transmitter.
Aline whispered in a flush of excite
| ment:
Dearest. if save your life now will
you stop trying to save my soul any
more?'
The bishops answer was unintelligi-
i III 1,,,&