The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-05-16
WAS HE A COWARD?

i #".4s .-..
"Oh, Cousin George, " said Mrs. Fit
ters IS they walked into the house from
the garden, IT do wish Harry were not
such q coward.
Are you quite sure that your hus.
band is one?''
We'll, last night / thought / heard
burglars In the house, and do ron know
I positively believe he was afraid to 90
down stairs"
Didn't he GOT"
mo; he insisted that it was only the
cat and refused to get up ~
And did 1t happen toshe thieves,
after alp
"Oh. mo- As a matter .of fact, 1T was
the cat, rs he suggested. But I think it
would have been nor maniysia me had
gone, don't you?'' I'll
Perhaps as he was convinced that it
was the cat it was not necessary
"Stin ! admire pluck In d man, and
! shan't have nearly 90 much confidence
In Harry's bravery as I once had. Now,
! want You TO do me agreatfavor. Will
you protnfse?'
Anything in reason, my dear Kate
We'll ] want you to play the bur-
glar tonight ] viii give you the key to
the back door, and you muss come In
between I and . o'clock and put the
lower part OF the house In disorder, Just
IS IL thieves had broken In and ran
sacked tho place"
"But suppose Harry hears me?''
II shall, OF course, zee that he does.
But / ann sure we shall find that he will
be afraid TO stir out Of his room"
"Yet, IL Won should DO mistaken, ID
would be rather awkward Cor me He
Ia d powerful man" 81 sr
Il assure you IL Is perfectly safe,
George. II Harry shows any disposition
to go down stairs, / have only to insist
ON his staying 10 protect me, and he is
certain to allow himself to be persuad-
Might he not fire at me ont Of the
Window"
There isn't such q thing Is arevolv-
or a gum in the house
VERY well, Kate ] win do as you
wish, but you must not blame me If
anything goes wrong.
"Oh, It's SO good 81 you, George. We
shall just see what Harry ID made oE
It viii be snch fun too. By Tie q
Harry ought TO be home before now.
Let m stroll down the road u meet
him" As they passed ont OF the house
Harry Filters ross from the high back
ed chair ct the other end Of the room,
where he was doniugwhen they nrsken-
tered and from which place Of conceal-
ment he had heard with great axauae-
ment--ihr he was d very good natured
man-the whole conversation
"A pretty little plot, Mra Flittessi,'
he. said to himself, with alangh. 1T
will, 10 You Say, be such funi' =
"Harryl HarryP'
"Ye-yes, dear. What is it?''
II ann sure there's burglar in the
house"
"Listenl Yes, by Joye, you're night
this time. Keep quiet whileI put s0k1e-
thing ON. I'm make IL hot for him
Hairy, believe there are at least
three Of theml''
"As long "a they don't exceed that
number ! don't misid."
but, Harry, they are SURE 10 be well
armedl'
'.I must take my chance about that.
Mr.. Filters was now moving t0Ward
the door, and his wife realized that he
meant businesR
You mustn't endanger yonr life,
Harry Harry. Insist on your not go-
ing. Won will NOS desert your wife I'm
the hour OF dangeyi Come back. Haxxyg'
But he had slipped ont OF the room
and closed the bedroom door. tnzuing
the key ON the outside, where be had
placed 10 o few hours before.
Mira Filters :ratsied the handle OF
the door and shrisased to her huaband TO-
come back. But there Was determiuation
in his eya and he went boldly forward
TO meet the enezuyaa
Soon there was the most sterrible 10
roar I'm the Htchen, ana tha night air
was made hideous with the sound - ti1e
smashing Of china and glass II che
shouting Of mems voices md a ffe
breaking Of chairs and tables.
MIRA Filters stood II her room sesrs
Aed and horror stxicken. They wonld
kill one aaotheri why had she been .
foolish2
.sIt's al oven, Kate. strike 1 liehk.
Let me waah on some q the stains Ct
the battle. =
ssOh, Harry, what has happenedps
"a goOddeaa. / ann afraid, during the
last no minutes.n .gAss
Good heavens, there's blood ozasyour
hands,
Eyes, IL has been distributed 4pxDtty
freely down stairs The painters and
paper hangers had better come instomor-
row. We KhaIl be. prosecuted for keep
ing unlicensed shaxnbles.
1T was only one man7''
.sThat 10 all, but no got the share o.
three"
Gould you zee what he was IKE.
Harry"
ssNo, but ! can imagine what no r.
sembles at the present moment 4
ssBut, Harry dear, is he badly hEart9
IN arn n friQhfaned.n