Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-01-22
UNDER LOCK AND KEY.

UNDEN LUUh AND kEl.
Mrs Bolton was stickler for the pro
prieties
Mrs. Curtis was not
Mrs Bolton frequent gave Mrs. Cur
It's what she considered sound advice
Mrs. Curtis returned the compliment;
she never took it,
The last time she called Mrs. Bolton
showed quite affeclionatc sollcitude for
the wellbeing Of her friends pretty
| daughter.
Dear Mrs. Curtis" she began, "you
really should be more careful of Susie.
1t it most dangerous for her TO 60 fire..
quently TO the church alone
But she must practice on the organ"
Susie's mother responded meekly; you
know there Is to be grand choral service
next Sunday for the new minister, who is
to preach for the first time.
Mrs. Bolton generally ignored op.
position: a splendid means to get your own
way
Think Of its lonely situation in the
fields, she pursued, referring to the
church There was tramp down in the
village last night It's not proper for her
TO 60 there alone.
But she's done so ever since she took
the organ, and no harm ever came Of her
Besides she doesn't 90 alone; she takes
Emily Hammond TO work the bellows"
Does she leave the door open9' de.
manded Mrs Bolton In magisterial tones.
oh
Curtis, with hesitation.
II knew itl' exclaimed Mrs. Bolton,
with the air Of having convicted Susie of
Il capital otfense. BE sure to tell her in
future 10 lock IL on the inside" and Mrs.
Bolton took her leave, supremely satisfied
with herself Nothing delighted her so
much as managing other people
Miss Susie was excessively amused when
her mother talked over the visit that
evening
Never mind mother kins," she said.
caressing her parent. (Susie had pretty
little pet ways) ITS rather late In the
day to lock the door now. OF course the
church is in a lonely situation. that makes
1t ali the safer, because nobody ever
comes"
Still dear, think you'd better do it,"
urged her mother
Now mamma, you know Mrs. Bolton
always has something TO complain Of il
would put us on par with herself If she
hadn't That is too absurd after all the |
hours I've spent there unmolested.
The following afternoon she related the |
incident TO Emily Hammond with great /
glee, as they mounted the stairs 10 the /
organ loft. The latter did not take so
cheerful view of the subject, begging |
10 rftf, hagly opI fnatat, tb.. A..
on the inside
This Susie would not hear of, and pres.
emily they both forgot everything else in |
the grand march she was playing Then |
followed the chants, then the hymns, /
finally Susie stopped.
81 declVre l could play on forever, she |
sighed; gust one more voluntary, and then
wen 20.
What's thats' said Emily peering over
the gallery.
"Only me, from Susie.
No, no; l mean that queer rattling
sound
Susie twisted round and leaned over the
railing
ITS some one turning the key" she
muttered.
Emily grew white as death.
Lets 60 home, she cried
"Ilush, Susie whispered. look there"
Over pieces of wood lying near the fur
mace for winter use stumbled heavy feet.
next the tall form Of man was seen in
one Of the aisles
THE trampw exclaimed Susie in a
tragic whisper. Emily, what1l we dog'
Miss Hammond had already answered
that question. She crcpt like a cat down
stairs and was now on the porch. Susie
followed swiftly. She gave one glance in
passing al the intruder, who was now al
the top Of the church with his back TO-
ward her, and was therefore unaware Of
her presence.
BLACK. busny hair, she thought; I'm
sure lis matched by fer0cious facew and
she crept after Emily.
Hes all right nowl' she exclaimed.
meeting her friend outside the church.
and endeavoring TO make her slacken her
speed.
Il shant feel safe ,lll we're Out OF the
ohurchyard, gasped the other.
They went on
Emily" cried Susie suddenly, Il forgot
the church plate
Il don't wonder, replied Emily short
ly.
Susie stopped.
I'VE must 60 back, Emily 1t won't
do TO let him steal II. Come.
But Emily showed no intention OF &C
capting the Invitation.
Catch me doing any such thing. We
can't help il. Susie"
we can't help il. cried the brave little
lady DO come back with me, Emily"
But Miss Hammond stood upon a
woman's prerogaiive - cowardice and
at this iuncture beat hasty retreat
Plucky little Susie meanwhile turned
and ran the other way There stood tie
door just as she had left il. little ajar.
and she turned the key IN the lock.
"Ahai you are caught. bushv black
head; stay there til we call for YOU
This, with a gleeful laugh, as she ran
down the church-Yard
susie was a woman of prompt measures.
md she lost no time in making her was 90
he nearest house on the outskirts Of She
village.
Il was inhabited hy an old officer. VINO
vas Standing in his garden as she ap-
preached. and she ran 20 him CRYING
1reaihlessly.
''Oh, Capt Cowan. there's a thief in
he church, What shall We do to save the
nlatef'
'Heydeyr cried the Captain, 'leu he
Df BY this time
Not be. said Susie, with laughing
ives, Il locked him in
And she related her exploit.
"Deary me. sighed the old sailor. ''my
.heunaiism Is - bad TO- day can hardly