The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-06
WAS HE A COWARD?


ooh, Cousin George, " said Mrs. Fit
tiers as they walked into the house from
the garden, II do wish Harry were not
such coward "
"Are you quite sure that your hus-
band is one?'
"Well, last night I thought heard
burglars in the house, and do you know
positively believe he was afraid to go
down stairs"
Didn't he go?"
''No; he insisted that it was only the
cat and refused to get up"
"And did it happen to be thieves,
after all?'
"Oh, no. AS q matter Of fact, it was
the cat, as he suggested. But l think it
would have been more manly if he had
gone don't your"
s'Perhaps as he was convinced that 1T
was the cat it was not necessary.
"Still 1 admire pluck in man, and
] shan't have nearly SO much confidence
in Harry's bravery as once had Now
want you to do me a great favor. Will
you promise?"
Anything in reason, my dear Kate.
"Well, l want you to play the bur-
glar tonight. will give you the key to
the back door, and you must come in
between / and 2 o'clock and put the
lower part of the house in disorder, just
as if thieves had broken in and ram
sacked the place.
''But suppose Harry hears me?"
81 shall, of course, see that he docs.
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. "
81 assure you it is perfectly safe,
George If Harry shows any disposition
to go down stairs, 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 as arevolv-
er or a gun in the house.
VERY well, Kate, will do as you
wish, but you must not blame me if
anything goes wrong.
ooh, it's SO good of you, George. We
shall just see what Harry is made of.
1t will be such fun too. By the 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
ment3ror he was very good natured
man-the whole conversation.
"a pretty little plot, Mrs. Flittersr'
he said TO himself, with laugh. "It
will, as you say, be such funP"
"HarryI Harry"
''Ye-yes, dear. What is it?"
81 am sure 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, l believe there are at least
three of themP'
GAS long as they don't exceed that
number don't mind"
''But, Harry, they are sure to be well
armedr'
81 must take my chance about that. )"
Mr.. Filters was now moving toward
the door, and his wife realized that he
''meant business. "
you mustn't endanger your life,
Harry Harry, insist on your not go
ing. You willsnot desert your wife in
the hour OF dangerl Come back, Harry"
But he had slipped out of the room
and closed the bedroom door, turning
the key on the outside, where he had
placed it q few hours before.
Mrs. Filters ratified the handle of
the door and shrieked to her husband to
come back. But there was determination
in his eye, and he went boldly forward
to meet the enemy.
Soon there was the 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 one anotherl Why had she been 80
foolish?
"It's all over, Kate. Strike light.
Let me wash Off some Of the stains of
the battle. ="
"Oh, Harry, what has happenedi"
"a good deal, am afraid, during the
last 10 minutes.
GOOD heavens, there's blood on your
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.
1t was only one MANI
'"That is all, but he got the share of
three.
could you SOC what he was like
Harry?'
"No, but can imagine what he re-.
Eenbles at the present moment. "
''But Harry, dear, is he badly hurt?
am SO frightened " +
"Well, I think they'll pull him
through when he gets to the hospital.
II hope you haven't permanently in
jured him. +"
II think not, but have permanently
instructed him in the wisdom of keep
ing his hands off other peoples property
sprang on him like a tiger, and before
te could utter a word he had been oil
yer the htchen-under the table, into