Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1916-01-05

any one without a clear claim on it
in that case he had the next right tC
its contents legally. 1t was perhaps a
little admixture Of greed in lis nature,
therefore, that prompted him in re-
plying:
well, if you haven't lost one
Its just possible that you've made
a mistake, May" said Strickland, and
to Burke. Let Mrs. Strickland look
at it?'
I'D rather have you describe it first"
said Burke.
"Oh, yes, of course! 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 l haven't lost purse"
Strickland was insistent Il know,
but it would only take a moment to de-
scribe them"
''WeI, said May reluctantly, there's
my mesh bag. with the OXidized silver
purse"
NO, that's not it," said Burke.
There's that green leather bag you
gave me for my birthday
Burke rose and. taking up his hat.
began to walk to the door mo.
knew it wasn't" he said.
But Strickland checked him. wait
a moment. May. you've forgotten that
Frenchy black velvet affair you usually
carry
Burke looked sharply at him. What
kind?" 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. This it," he said.
why. yes; of course. Isn't it, May?"
The woman saw that further sub
terfuge was useless. IN q faint voice
she admitted:
Yes. it looks like it. Ill don't
understand"
You see, you were so positive" said
her husband. and Burke asked, How
much was in it, mum?"
about $40. think"
THAT'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 a slip of paper in it with a
Long Branch address written on it
206 Henderson place. didn't get
chance to 90 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 a lady there yesterday.
So | thought I'd come TO the address
on the card"
Il see" said Strickland. well. we're
greatly obliged to you, Mr.. Burke"
Burke again started toward the door.
but Strickland held him back with:
Hold on; hold on! You're entitled
to some compensation for your trou-
BILE
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
Not at ALL We're indebted TO you"
said Strickland.
well. / always say that honesty is
the best policy
quite 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 coIlOquy 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. a fact that would have been
apparent 10 her husband and Burke
without effort had they not been in
tereSted i'm each others statements.
The emotion that was uppermOst in
hor Snnl ond fhat ehoypad itaAlf naos+
plainly IN her features was fear-hor-
r0r stricken fear
It was still there during the short
absence Of her husband from the room
to escort Burke 10 the outer door and
1t was plain wnen Doris entered the
library from her bedroom.
"Oh, mamma" cried the child, you
found your purse, didn't your
lies, darling. Now run away"
'But ] can't sleep" said Doris
But you must sleep. dear. There's
a good little girl" said the mother.
leading her gently back into the bed
room The door of the childs room
was not closed.
May returned to the library just as
her husband re-entered. He put the
purse on the table.
Its strange you didn't know you
lost your purse" he said. You al