Bisbee daily review., 1911-07-27
Guarding
 the ValuabLes

she had always done business. That ' was the reason when she received the note and the mortgage she did not in- stantly put them into hsr safety de- posit box.
 When she was preparing 10 leave ' the house for the first time she hid ! the papers suecessiyeiy behind a sofa, under pillow. under a rug. under the dresser scarf and behind the picture of Sir Galahad in the library. Then when she was a block away she re- turned hastily. because 1t had just ! occurred to her that the house might burn down during her absence and then where would she be in respect to those precious papers2 She discarded the small mesh bag she was carrying and got out her big gest leather shopping bag. although 1t was decidedly inconyenient 10 thke 10 an afternoon tea. However, she ! could carry the papers in it. The bag. being big and square, bumped into ! everybody and got her disliked. She nearly wept that evening as she : begged her husband to take care of the papers for her
 T will not" he told her. "You sim ply must learn to look after your own business affairs. so you might as we'll make up your mind to it, Why on earth are you oarting jewelry around | fin that bag. too?" He asked it in the | tone that a man uses when the fool. ish peculiarities of the feminine half of the world are utterly. absolutely beyond him.
 i Because it's the safest place for my rings and things!" retorted his wife. Every woman does it."
 His demeanor still disclosing skepti- cism. she went on: If you leave things at home and the new servants don't turn burglars, then the bogus gas inspectors and the sham telephone men will get thernl I've read about all those tricksi"
 You'll lose the whole affair."" de clared her husband.
 T certainly won't when the bag is slipped right over my army like this" said Mrs. Blake. loftily T shall go to the bank just as soon as can. and you are perfectly horrid to make me carry this bag to the theater tonight The papers won't tuck inside of my wuist and there's positively nothing else I can do with themi"
 Frequently that evening the bag slipped from her lap and each time she almost had mysteries. thinking she had lost it. After Blake had bumped his head the third time while fishing out the bag from beneath the row of seats in front he put 1t in his chair and sat on it. But he made her carry 1t home.
 Something happened every day for three days to prevent Mrs. Blake's go- ing to the bank She ate. slept and visited in company with her leather shopping bag and she positively began to grow thin from her continuous and strenuous efforts to keep a watchful eye on it.
 An afternoon progressive bridge party nearly finished her. because she Insisted on hanging the bag over her chair back. and each time she moved she forgot it. Missing it. she would imagine that she had lost it coming to the party and would have to be re- vived with fans and kind words till it was discovered She was a nervous wreck when the afternoon Eas over and had in addition the consciousness that all her partners disliked her in tensely because she had SO lowered their scores by her wild, abstracted playing.
 'TiI go 10 the bank tomorrow If it 1. Is the afternoon party that I have to miss," she declared.
 Then she lugged the fatal bag to a club directors meeting. to luncheon. where 1t fell to the floor and was nearly eaten up by the hostess pet dog before it was discovered. and on a shopping trip.
 She hung 10 the bag with an energy that gave rise to the flea in the minds of casual observers that is , must be filled with dynamite or dia- , monds.
 "Thank goodnessi" she muttered as she neared her home. I've got these awful papers safely through whole . week and the first thing tomorrow morning sees tlell III tle Sdittf le- posit box. and then maybe l can draw a long breath, Whats that door open for?"
 She ran up the steps and through the swinging door. IL was most un- , usual The house appeared tranquil . however Laying down her bag. she pulled oH her gloves and coat and } then, being still uneasy. mounted to . the second floor. The second floor aiao was calm.
 its the queerest thing" she said as she started downstairs and headed for the Kitchen to see if the cook had re- turned, it being the cooks day out Tn the hail she stopped transfxed with her eyes staring st the table where she had laid her shopping bag ) The bag was gonel
 ..The burglar" Blake explained to ? her with righteous reproach that night. must have just got inside when you came and probably he hid -r~t<.s, x-r.. xr-o.,f mn,