The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-12-15


There are half a dozen cards In
it, with Mrs. Strickland's name and
address on them
Strickland looked curiously at his
wife .sThat seems strange he said.
Perhaps one of my friends she
began, but she could notsfinish the SEN
tence-
Strickland turned again to Burke.
what kind of purse is it, Mr..
Burke?''
But Burke was now more fully
aroused to the situation. After all,
perhaps the purse found by him did
not belong to the woman before him,
whose name it contained. In that case,
Of course, his journey from Long
Branch, prompted by his innate hon
esty and the hope of a reward, had
been in vain He could not be expect
ed, of course, to give up the purse to
any one. without a clear claim on it.
In that case he had-the next right to
its contents legally. It was perhaps a
little admixture of greed in his nature
therefore, that prompted him in re-
plying:
.sWell. if you haven't lost one
"It's just possible that you've made
a mistake, May said Strickland, and
to Burke, ..Let Mrs. Strickland look
at it2''
I'D rather have you describe it first
said Burke.
..oh, yes, of courset You haven't
more than two or three purses, May.
Describe them to Mr.. Burke
Again May Strickland persisted in
the fatal course of prevarication that
was to, cost her dear. She insisted:
But haven't lost a purse.
strickland was msistent- 81 know,
but it would only take moment to de-
scribe them
well said May reluctantly, there's
my mesh bag, with the oxidized silver
purse"
mo, that's not it, . said Burke.
There's that green leather bag you
gave me for my birthday
Burke rpse and,s taking up his hat,
began to walk to the door, "No, I
knew it wasn't he said.
But Strickland checked him. sWait
a moment. May, you've forgotten that
Frenchy black velvet affair you usually
carry
Burke looked sharply at him Jt'What
kind2'' he asked.
"Black velvet with a gold clasp
said Strickland
Burke drew from his pocket and held
up a purse which answered Strick-
lands description. s'Thfs ft?s he said
-tWhy, yes; of course Isn't it, May?''
The woman saw that further, sub
terfuge was useless. In a faint voice
she admitted.
Il Yes, it looks like it. Ill don't
understand"
,-.eYou see, you were SO positive said
her husband, and Burke asked, 'eHow
much was in it, mum ?''
.About $40, 1 think
eAThat's right said Burke. Thirty
eight dollars and seventy-five cents
Count it, SIR
Strickland took the purse and count
ed the money. Then he put it back
into the purse. That's the amount
that's here You say you found this at
Long Branch, Mr.. Burke ?''
Yes, sir; on the platform last night
There was slip Of paper in it with a
Long Branch address written. on it
FOG Henderson place I didn't get a
chance to go around there until this
evening, as it's a good bit out of my
way There was nobody home but an
old housekeeper. She said she didn't
know any one named Strickland. but
there'd been lady there yesterday.
So I thought I'd come to the address
on the card
II see, . said Strickland. .ewell, we're
greatly obliged to you, Mr.. Burke
Burke again started toward the door,
but Strickland held him back with:
Hold on: hold ionI You're entitled
to some compensation for your trou-
ble.''
He thrust his hand, into his own
pocket and took out a roll of bills
from which he selected some that ~he
handed to Burke. The amount of the
reward made the eyes of the honest
newsdealer glisten. THANK you very
much. SIR he said.
mot at all. We're indebted to you,''
said Strickland.
'fWe1l, I always say that honesty is
the best policy"
'XQuite right" was Strickland's an
swer. Let me show you to the door. .
Good night, mum. Good night, sir, .
said Burke, and he left the room, fol-
lowed by Strickland.
During the short coIIoquy between
the two men May Strickland had stood
silent at the side of the room. In her
face were plainly to be seen the work
ings of great emotion. The twitchings
of her hands and face were beyond all
control, fact that would have been
apparent to her husband and Burke
without effort had they not been in
terested in each others statements
The emotion that was uppermost in
her soul and that showed itself most
plainly in her features was fear-hof.-
ror stricken fear.
1t was still there during the short
absence of her husband from the room