Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-04-04


 looked at as much of the mans face as was visible and moaned:
 ''Oh, Arthur!''
 Then she sprang to her feet and hissed rapidly:
 "IIe's no burglar, man. Let him go do you hear me? He's no burglar, l say. He is my husband"
 Your husbandr' gasped Zenas, re- laxing his hold, Q movement of which the prostrate man endeavored to take advantage.
 "Ycs-yes! Hasn't 6 mah right to enter his own house any way he chooses, when he's not expected-has no key? Let him go. Don't you hear me say he is my husband?'
 ''Ycs, madam, and sorry am to hear it, for I've heard of your husbands"
 "Agnes," moaned the captive, find my pistol, quick, and shoot the fellow. Put it close to his arm and fire; then break the other in the same way-that will. make the devil loose his hold. hear men running-tfeya are coming this way"
 Help! Murder! Helpl' roared Zenas, who also heard quick footsteps on sidewalk not far away. Then he said quickly: Madam, before you can find that pistol can kill this man, with my hands at his throat. I've had to fight savage animals with my hands,"
 God have mercy!" exclaimed the woman, again dropping on her knees beside the two men. Listen to me, man! As God lives, my husband is in- nocent of the charges against him-1 know he isl know all the facts. He's the victim of a conspiracy that must be exposed before long. He has risked everything tonight for the sake of see ng his wife-his wife, do you hear me? Imagine yourself in his place-for your wifc's salie-for the one person alive who trusts you"
 ''It's no use, Agnes," groaned the man. "Thc fellows 6 brute. Those men are almost hera-I'm too weak to run far if try-I'm gone."
 "Oh, God!' the woman moaned "Has Heaven no mercy for the innocent?" Zenas looked into the face before | him-a woman's upturned face, full of agony. the moon shining so full upon 1t ! that it's every line was visible. Then he said softly and quickly:
 "Yes. madam; Heaven has mercy, as man will show you" He relaxed his | hold and thrust hand into his pocket, cont:ruing to talk fast. '',;r. Maythnm, you say you're too wcGl. to run far; you won't be safe in your own houso-hurry into mine here's the key to the back door-go up stairs as softly as you can-there's no ! body on the top floor, and there's | light enough in the halls for you to see your way. Don't make a noise, or \ you'll rouse my family. Now's your chancc-knock me aside and hurry across the fence-quick. Go softly-on your toes-keep in the shadow" Away sped Maytham, and Zenas con tinucd, as two men came hurrylng into the garden gate:
 Remember, madam-'twas a burglar he ran across my back yard-he hurt me badly-you're trying to restore me make them help you-don't let them take me into my house till I'm re stored"
 Then, for the men were almost upon him, that good little man played hypo crite with consummate ability. He begged the men not to leave him, bade them see how terribly injured he was, sent Mrs. Maytham into her house for water and stimulants, and told the story of the attempted burglary at great length, until one of the men said:
 'Well, 'spose 'taint no use to try tc find the feller now-he's got too mucf start. It's only by chance we followed him anyway. thort heerd a ladder bein' took from Q house next me Thieves says to myself. peeket out of winders one side an another then woke brother Jim an he an m went out kinder keerful like. We coul' see in the moonlight where the ladde had been dragged along in the dust O the road. Comin' round bend w thort we heerd it hit tsomethin'-ladder allus make noise when they bump 1 | wooden house, an it's kind O nois you can hear a good way in still nigh like this. We began to run then, ar when we heerd the hollerin' we knowe,
 where to come."
 'So good of you," whispered Mrs Maytham.
 ''Ever so much obliged" said Zenas
 Then, realizing for the first time tha
 Mrs. Maytham was not in daylight al tire, he whispered something to tn men, who abruptly turned. said: Good night" and went away.
 
 ing her neighbours hands, "you are noble man."
 Madam said the little man, whc in spite of broken nose and closed ey
 now felt himself the equal of anyon alive, "you are a true woman. Try feel easy about your husband. He wi be safer in my house than in his owr until we see how the authorities regar , the burglar story. They can't suspet me-with this face"
 Then he turned quickly and entere his house. Softly he went up the stail 3 and searched the top floor, light hand, until he found the fugitive,
 whom he whispered: "TalSe the room with the bed in i Turn the koy, so none of my childre . happen in on you in the morning. r | arrange for your wife to come in. I get my wife and the youngsters o , some way after breakfast, and W u haven't any servants to poke arOun.