The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-05-03
WAS HE A COWARD?

tcIS us lIley Wdlkcu INTO the house from
the garden, II do wish Harry were not
such u coward.
Are you quito sure that your hus-
band is onc?'
"Wcll, last night Thought heard
burglars in tho house. and do you know
positively believe he was afraid 60 no
down stairs"
Didn't he go?"
mo; he insisted that it was only tho
cat and refused to get up"
And did it happen to be thieves,
after all?'
"Oh, no. AS matter Of fact, it was
tho cat, us hc suggested. But I think 1t
would have been more manly if he had
gone. don't you?''
Perhaps as he was convinced that 1t
was tho cat it was not necessary
Still l admire pluck in O man, and
l shan't have nearly so much confidence
in Harry's bravery as once had. Now,
l want you to do me n great favor. Will
you prOmise?"
Anything I'll reason, my dear Kate. "
We'll, want you to play tho bur
glar tonight 1 will give you the key to
the back door, and you must como in
between and o'clock and put the
lower part of tho house in disorder, Just
as If thieves had broken In and ran
sacked the place"
'But suppose Harry hears me?''
Il shall, of course, see that he does
But am sure we shall find that he will
be afraid to stir out of his room"
yet, if you should be mistaken, it
would be rather awkward for me. He
is powerful man.
Il assure you it is perfectly safe
George If Harry shows any disposition
to go down stairs 1 have only to insist
on his staying to protect me, and he is
certain to allow himself to be persuad-
ed"
Might he not fire at me out of the
Window
''There isn't such thing US revolv-
Ell OF gun in the house.
Very we'll, Kate, will do as you
wish, but you must not blame me if
anything goes wrong"
"Oh, it's so good of you, George We
shall just see what Harry is made of
1t will be such fun too By tho way,
Harry ought to be home before now.
Let US stroll down the road to meet
him As they passed out of the house
Harry Filters rose from the high back
ed chair at the other end of the room,
where he was doing when they first en-.
tered and from which place Of conceal
ment he had heard, with great amuse-
ment-for he was a very good natured
man-the whole conversation
"a pretty little plot, Mrs Flittcrsr'
he said to himself, with laugh. sit
will, as you say, be such fun'''
"Harlyl Harry"
"Ye-ycs dear. What is it?''
II alh suro there's burglar in the
house.
"Listenl Yes by Jove you're right
this time Keep quiet while put some
thing on. I'll make it hot for him
Harry, 1 believe there are at least
three OF thcm!"
las long as they don't exceed that
number don't mind
but, Harry. they are sure to be we'll
ar1nedp'
Il must tallo my chance about that, T"
Mr.. Filters was now moving toward
the door, and his wife realized that he
''mcant business
'You mustn't cndangur your life,
Harry Harry, insist on your not 60
ing. You will not desert your wife in
tho hour of danger! Come back, Hu1y!'
But he had slipped out Of the room
and closed the bedroom door, turning
the key on the outside, where he had
placed it a few hours before.
Mrs Filters ratified the handle Of
the door and shrickcd to her husband to
como back. But there was determination
i'll his eye, and he went boldly forward
to meot the enemy.
Soon there was tho most terrible up
roar in the kitchen. and the night air
was made hideous with the sound of the
smashing Of china and glass, Of the
shouting of mems voices and Of The
breaking Of chairs and tables
Mrs Filters stood in her room terri
fed and horror stricken They would
kill ono anotherl Why had she been SC
foolish?
'Its all over, Kate Strike o light,
Let mo wash OFF somo Of the stains OF
the battle"
"Oh, Harry, what has happcnedr'
ga good deal, am afraid during the
last 10 minutes
Good heavens there's blood ON you,
handsl"
Eyes, it has been distributed pretty
freely down stairs The painters and
paper hangers had better come in tomor-
row. We shall be prosecuted for keep
ing unlicensed shambles-
'It was only ono nan?'
THAT is all, but he got the share Of
three "