Show go The Purse Pursel Bishops Bishop s By Cleveland M HeU and Oliver Herford H Copyright by Cleveland and Oliver 1912 1912 CHAPTER CHAFTER Tim Tho Penitent U t Hestor's startling avowal R Betty In auk a Bray in in involuntary aversion Ohp Ohl c and her truthful i l' l judged the girl Jirl stern sternly h Tho The culprit faced her ber in pleading ap peal peul l eul She Sho had played her hor last card eard Jc recklessly i impulsively ly risking every every- thing She never un understood afterward afterward after after- ward what had impelled her to this confession gel e ous unnecessary Wn Was it fear or calculation 1 She know know- that if Betty betrayed her it was as all aU allup allup up with lit little Jc Lena and she had no nort rt reason reon on to believe that Miss liss Thompson would condone condom or tolerate an act of flagrant wickedness Yet sho silo had told her het- A thief 11 shivered Bt Betty H Wes Yes a n. thief II flung out the other in half defiance Yo HYo dont don't think Im I'm g good od CliO enough ugh to touch do je ye JC Maybe 1 Im I'm m om not but say but say do ye JC want to know mow what made mado me steal tho steal tho firt first t time time Do ye want to know Tho The words tumbled out in a fi fierce r c tumult and Betty Bet Bet- ty tr fascinated watched this strange I girl as her dark darl eyes bla blazed cd and her I nostrils quivered Tell me said Betty gently Ie sit sit tell hole hole tell mo me everything And leading leading lead lead- I in ing tho the way to tho davenport she placed H Hester ter beside o her Now I HI was only a a. kid kid about about 12 12 panted pant I ed the penitent We Wo lived on Orchard Orchard Or Or- chard street New V York I Yes In a rotten ten tenement and and and- 17 she 17 she my sister Rosalie she Rosalic she was took caro carp of us me and my little brother Wait interposed Betty Is Is this true You mustn't t ti try to work on m my feelings You must tell me the truth You know kno now you OU haven't Hester haven't-Hester Hester at other times Tho Storm girl irl sat bitin biting IJ her r red 1 lips ps and twisting her fin fingers ers nervous nervously cr Ive c been beon crooked she said stid s id speaking speak speak- ink ing- low but Jad lady I hope bope God will wilI strike mo me dead if if- if Hush flush Dont Don't shay say that I HI I do say it I mean it I J want you ou ou to believe c me mc Nobody's ever believed be be- lived lie me mo or or been been kind to me ex me-ex- ex except copt you OU and and and- t Site was sobbing now if you youre you're Ie going Join back back on rue rue- mo mc-I mc I don dont don't t caie for care for anything She sprang up suddenly with a fierce gesture an and nd pointed to the tho door Go Goon on Call in Grimes Give m mo up 11 I dont don't want to i give o you up II soothed Betty but but but I must do what is rj right ht Sit down owel Tell TelI me mo the tho rest What about Rosalie At the tho mention of her sister Hester's Hesters Hesters Hester's Hes Hes- ter's ier's face softened Say she waS was the tho finest girl irl tho the prettiest girl you vou ever saw That's wh why I J liked y you u because you honest you honest you u did you did you made mado me mo think of Rosalie Ro salie salts i t lt sho strong She She worked thirteen hours ut a a 3 da day at a sewing ma ma mn machine machine chine a damned heavy thing that'd break your back and and sho sho never ne went to the country countr- and and she sho never had a pretty dress What a n. wi wicked ked shame cent cent- made sho Every slip sho spent on us au Then she got fot sick and she and sho coughed a t l lot and she and she couldn't work the tho ma inn- rhino chine There Thero shed she'd lio lie on tho bed bcd in in a little back room with her ber face lace all flushed and amI Id I'd bear hear her say Please God Gorl tal take e care are of oC Hester and Jamie and let tet me seo the tho green fields just fields just once J Sa Say lady ladr what would you have lune done chic if you'd d been me mo met I I 1 I dont don't know murmured Betty Bet Bet- t. t ty wiping her eyes eves Spose ye e didn't didn t have ha a dollar inthe inthe in the world word Hester pursued ca eagerly 41 and n the a agent ent came for tho the rent ared a ared red f faced devil il with a bi big diamond pin and spose ho he tried to ki kiss s ye and yo ye know knew that pin mj might ht save Rosalie Rosalic sa say would ye e have Din nin pinched hed the pin pint You mustn't t ask a question a-question like that replied the other trin trying vainly p to keep back her tears II tor Y 01 rt nl Then Then Then-then then yo ye dont don't me met I Im ni sorry f for r you so sorry but but but- Hosier Ilester you must make amends for what JOU youve you've e done you OU must give vo back tho the purse I I will Where is it stand bv by me ate meT You Yuu wont won't let let- thorn take rake m mod l' l Ill IU do tLe ho best I 1 can fur for you vou Where is it You wont won't tell Grimes that youre you're Miss hiss iss Thompson I must tell him hitti 1 Y cant can't remain in ina ina a false position Hester's Hesters eyes filled with wit h tears us Then that settles me Hell He'll n get the truth out of you you hell he'll twist hit you vou around his fingers My ry fy God Tho They'll send mo me away for fOI ten years Be Be quiet Let mo we think 1 Distressed and perplexed Miss Thompson walked back and forth trying trying trying try try- ing to decide what sho she should do And Hester in wido wide eyed supplication tion watched her bor knowin knowing well weIl that her into fato was ns trembling in the balance If sh she sho could only onh think of something something- something that would influence this fine hi high h toned girl whoso whose soul could not bo he reached by br any base appeal she sho realized realized realized real real- that At this moment there sounded from beyond ond tho the c conservatory tho the sharp call callo o of a whistle low and sinister that started Betty Dett Hester Rester listened in tenso alarm Its It s Grimes Hes He's Fot got of a n. man outside Say she sho quivered what aro arc ye yo gem oin to do with mo 11 What can I do dot Hide Hido me mo somewhere until Grimes Grime has gone Will ye re sho be begged ed As Miss Thompson studied tin II 3 I girl she sho felt like an avenging n an angel el who without quite understanding I how had bad been ocen Deen changed ed into a benevolent lent fairy Hero cowering before hl her r was a f 1 fugitive o iti from justice who should no doubt bo ho given ivon up but Betty could not doit do it Hester lIester sho said Im Pm doing wrong but I can cant can't Jt believing there is good in you and and I I cant can't send you to prison You You c elfin can n stay in in my In little room room there there She pointed to the mezzanino mezzanine mezzanino mez mez- door Oh lady ady do that for me inc T THester Hester s Bettys Betty's two hands and pressed them to her lips Wait It is understood that that you Jon give back jack tho the the money money the stolen money Sure Ill I'll tell yo ye where it is and you can give ive it ba back k yourself Ill give ive it to the tho bishop Hes He's Ireson his hero bert on way war now The tiThe bishop He lIe dont don't know Im I'm here Ire He knows nothing Ill III tell b him m that that Ill Ill I'll say that the tho person who too took the money is sorry and Ill and Ill I'll save you ou somehow You give vc me your promise your our promise true truen I give ivo you In my mr promise true promise true repeated repeated re re- re- re Betty Detty fi firmly P Where is it Jt- Jt the tho money money L t t. Now brie briefly l- l Hester toM told I tho the truth about the bishops bishop's purse acknowledging ac g ac-g her own wron wrongdoing doing and tracing trac-ing the treasure from her bel capture of it tm the train up to the moment of its hiding under the rose bus bushI hushI hush bush I said said Beth Betty You see dropped the purse parse in alt mv 1 alt oll ba bin bat nn r n icy came to search you JOu on the rain I Yoh y es s J confessed l th the And And oh and oh its it's all clear It was to get gei the mone out of my golf olf ba bag that you ou came here Was Was' it I 1 Isho she sho demanded Yes Yea It And And now V this five i thousand pounds is there in the thc at conservatory conservatory- l'- l' hidden bidden in a n. flower pot I J Yes Yea You'll find it there I IW W wouldn't touch it I hate hatt it Bat lad lady She he pl pleaded dont don t take the move money out until Grimes has gone lIes lIe's watching everywhere and and hes he's hes liable to see you and that and that would queer me inc Promise ye yo wont won't t take the tho money until Grimes has gone one II This seemed reasonable Y leery well r I wont won't take tho money t util Gr Grimes Jnes has bas gone a agreed Miss Th Thomp m mp son Now come conic Ill I'll n Ii show you t the e eI J I way Betty Beth started for or the winding stair but ll t Hester H ster caught her arm with an eager r movement See Seo hero here she sho said and her ber sa e eyes cs were warm with gratitude Youve be been to mo and I and I know khow n good mo Die something something some some- thing that that'll n make a lot of difference to Mr Baxter A cablegram ram came camo for him this mornin morning I A A cablegram m Yes Yes And if he be dout dont get it before before be be- fore 12 0 o'clock clock its it's all u up p wi with him JJ Before B fore 12 How lIow do O you know that t T T r stood at that door dour while Anton was on the phone t talking to a man named Henderson 1 Mr Baxters Baxter's enemy enemy what Anton Anton's a crook in i Hendersons Henderson's pa pay He lie 20 cablegram cable cable- I grant gram r m and held it back hack I If It you ou dont don't believe me swiftly me swiftly she drew the paper paper from her dress there dress II Heavens When did this this' come comet I Hester Ilester studied T the yellow form II Must I have left New York at 10 o'clock 1 last ast 11 night ig-h ig t. t See t Must t ba have bac c got here before anybody was up up up-ox- ex except Anton i iThe The scoundrel 11 Betty hurried to her bor desk eil and ana rapidly rap rap- idly deciphered the message sa e. e This is t terrible bl There rc isn't a moment t. t to lose If It something something- isn't done dono before 12 0 Mfr Mr rr Baxter wit will be he ruined 11 I must think Come Como to ir my room I A moment later tho the two women disappeared dis- dis appeared appealed into Bettys Betty's chamber and lull I scarcely bad the door closed softly after them when Grimes entered He had bad a a. around round re red face a stubbly t reddish reddish reddish red red- dish mustache and small peering c eyes cs Ho lie wore a n checked suit and aud was smoking in lug ing a large black ci cigar ar Alto Altogether he lie looked the typical American do- do o. o familiar in farce but hut Grimes Crimes Jf mes was not a farcical person 1 on the contrary contrary con conS ho le was on one one of the most nest formidable formidable able men conne connected with Scotland n 1 Yard a silent man mun and it was considered consid red erect bad business for tho criminal who had Grimes 01 on his track The detective glanced d carelessly about tho the bi big room moved movel here and aud thor there picked picker up the tho red covered cable codo book that Betty hind had left Jeff on her hor desk and Uld was frowning frO at its HI mysteries mysteries mys mys- teries when Betty herself appeared on the landing above aboyo tho limo winding inding stair T bee bE bee your pardon she said paid a with challenging in directness s. s May lay 1 r 1 ask ash what whitt you yon aro arc doin doing there T I w was s going goin to ask j j you the same question answered d Grimes quietly What ar are arc you vou doin doing there doing there 11 u f rm nt atte attending to inv ins m duties as nil Mr Baxters Baxter's secretary n site aha 1410 said Baid coming down the thc stair t and trying not to tu seem ruffled I II sec see That's an interesting little door lIe Ho pointed to the tho mezzanine chamber Yes Are Arc you you an nn architect No Im I'm Im I'm an nn officer from Scotland Yard Yard Mr Grimes Just looking lookin around a little while I wait for Mr Baxter Dont Don't let Jet me disturb you you youlie ou I He lie strolled off toward tho the conser aton but hut turned at one of tho French windows Oh tOh May I ask your name name- Betty glanced danced up from front the code coda book which s she a was const consulting tin tin- in nervous haste baste I told toM YOU vou I am Mr Baxters Baxter's secretary sec sec- Yes c but but your your name Tho The girl drew herself UI up to her ber full fun height ht and looking the tho man straight ht in n the eyes said simply ply Miss Miss Thompson Really Mr r. r Grimes you must excuse mo me now The Tho detective gave ac her a R keen glance dance that seemed to take in every cry detail detail of her face tace and person Certainly he ic said th then n. n bowing politely I Ill I'll see sec you ou later Miss Thompson CHAPTER Lionel to the thc Rescue Without losing an instant Betty Batty flow to o the tho telephone Hello Hello she called impatiently but there was no response Sho Bho worked the tho lever loyer shook the receiver tapped her ber foot ant and winked her ber long eyelashes rapidly all to no avail The Tho instrument sc seemed mcd dead there way was wayno waino no 10 familiar buzzin buzzing of the tho wires wire wires And Andt it t presently o occurred curr to tp her that t thy they was vas no ordinary delay of a heed bec heedless operator there was something wrong with tho the telephone itself II Oh Oh dear dearl n she cried What shall shaH shallI I do ilo and hurrying to tho conservatory atar atory win window owl she sho looked ed out despairingly despairingly despair espail jn ly among the palms and lilies Then hen her face faco lighted as sho saw Lionel coming coming com com- in ing slowly across th the tho l lawn wn In Iii one ono hand ho carried his inevitable watering watering water water- in ing pot and Jud in the tho other ho held an au open book that be bo seemed to bo be study stud in ing Mr Mr Brown Fitz-Brown Come here here here- sh called please please quick II Right o Ri o bt-o ol II answered the amateur gardener ardener and blissful lover loyer an and leasing leaving leav leas ing log his bis watering pot but clinging to tobis his bis book Lionel pres presently joined the young youn- l lady dy in tho the library I L sa say Im I'm awfullY pleased pleaded you called me he beamed You You know youre you're an awfully intelligent ent girl Miss hiss Thompson an and All sill that sort of t thing u and and do do you happen fo know anything about about er er I Bugs gasped Betty that what you Americans call them theta 1 Wo call the little bo beggars arEl bee ties This i ia is an American b book k Browns Compendium of Familiar Bugs Bugs' Bugs Ra Rather good that 1 They aro arc what familiar Eh Eli I Please Ilease Mr l Brown Fitz-Brown she be protested pro protested tested but there thero was no stopping him liim Potato t Pow to bugs and spinach bugs and cauliflower bugs bUKs he lie rattled on I t tsay r say lo your you yon know how to o tell a spinach bug Miss Thompson No No but butt t Ail Ah Ah J 1 wouldn't was sure sine you YOli continued continue the delighted 3 agriculturist ric t. t Spinach bugs ha havo haio e red r red d backs hacks and green reen whiskers Say it over or to your yourself self self red red backs back and anti green reen whiskers II My dear Mr Fitz Brown r I really cant ant cant can't Continued on page pago Q 1 THE BISHOPS PURSE PURSEL L insisted Lionel Oh ye you OU OtI can caD I except pt cauliflower Mt's I perfectly e easy euy gL mo reel seel t Cauliflower cr bugs buga paused ause to consult th the book You O 1 m must EUSt t put the boo book away sway and j Ip me ae Ive I've got ot to send a cable- cable urn I arn There i Ito isn't D t a o to logo u be gardeners gardener's |