Page:Girls of Central High on the Stage.djvu/36

26 "That's all very fine, young man. But it isn't your purse that is lost," exclaimed the woman, tartly.

At last Jess understood. She started forward and her face flamed.

"Oh!" she cried. "Did you lose that silver mesh purse?"

"You see! She remembers it well enough," said the woman.

"I could scarcely forget it. You laid it on the counter between us. And it was heavy with money," said Jess.

"Now, wait!" cried Griff, interposing, while old Chumley listened eagerly, his little eyes snapping. "Did you set your umbrella aside without opening, it, Miss Morse?"

"Yes, I did," repeated Jess.

"And you had it hanging by the hooked handle on the edge of the counter right beside this lady, didn't you?"

"Yes, I did."

"I saw it. It's just like a story book!" laughed Griff. "Get the umbrella, Miss Morse. I knew it would be all right"

"I am not convinced that it is 'all right,' as you say, young man," spoke Mrs. Prentice, eyeing Jess's flushed face, suspiciously.

"Get it from behind the door there, Griff,"