The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-05-15
Why so?"

miliar Then he can exercise a fancy | acquired from unhealthful books in- | stead of throwing aside the unlikely | and writing of the true. But say, the story won't suffer if you go and stay 1 with me tonight
 That may be, but l am afraid that you would if go.
 "I'll risk that. Say, must tell you something. You know that I am not inclined to be suspicious"
 "Yes"
 Well, but l have begun to suspect some one of an intention to rob me.
 What"
 Yes, sir. don't know exactly why, but l believe that ioneycutt has de signs upon my house.
 II don't know" Len replied but that he has designs upon every house where he thinks strict watch is not kept"
 "I hope that you will say nothing about my suspicious for they may prove to be i'll founded'
 "IIow long have you suspected Hon. eycutt2'
 Il have neyerplaced much confidence in him, but l did not actually suspect him until recently
 Why did you have anything to do with him in the first place?' Len asked.
 He came to my house one morning and asked if l had any work he might do He declared that he was in great need of few dollars, and that he would perform any kind of work l did not like his looks. but took pity on him. He did his work we'll His ignorance of social customs led me to believe that his growing familiarity was not intentional, otherwise l would have forbidden his coming to my house again.
 Why do you suspect him of an inten- ton to rob you?"
 We'll, he came over to my house this morning and with that freedom which every one exercises on my premises, he wandered about unattended. was sit ting in the library, reading, when l remembered that had left my favorite pipe in another room. went to get it. My slippered feet made no noise Upon showing open the door, which was ajar, saw lIoneycutt attempting to un- screw the fastenings of the window shut | ters. l addressed him, and, much con fused, he stammered out an incoherent reply He concealed his screwdriver under his coat, and after making few | commonplace remarks, withdrew, appar ently satisfied that had not discovered | his design. l am not afraid, Len, but I'd like to have you stay with me to- night.
 eff it be an actual accommodation I'll go with you"
 Thank you, my dear boy
 When they reached Bently's house the colonel conducted Len to a room, pointed to the window, and said:
 "There is his work
 "Yes, the catches are removed"
 Now, my dear Len, if nothing comes of this, promise me that you will not mention the affair
 "Of course, colonel"
 You promise, then
 Yes. but don't see why you should | desire to shield bad mani
 It is not my desire to shield him, Len"
 Then why not have him arrested?"
 "That would be useless l have not | sufficient evidence to convict him, be- sides, l can only suspect him of a design, and not of his having committed a crime. If you should speak of it now he would be put upon his guard. want to catch him, don't you see?'
 You are right, colonel"
 The colonel and Len talked until late hour When the young man went to the room which had been assigned to him, he extinguished the light, opened the window and sat down. The night was beautiful. The sheep, lying on the green pasture looked like white pillows scattered over dark bed
 There is no use in my remaining in this room, the young man unused. "I cant sleep. Believe I'll go down and sit under the trees. No, I'd better not disturb every one by walking through the house Let me see, I can get out on the roof of the gallery and slide down a post
 A few moments later Len was on the ground. Now, how am going to get back?" he asked himself Well I'll