Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-12-06

speculative reverie until the brake
the deaf lived at that station. Mrs.
Smead was waiting for her husband,
whom she expected on the $50 train,
but the train had come and gone, and
instead of the handsome, well-groomcd
Mr.. Smead a frantic woman. her neigh
Dor Mrs. Thorne, rushed into her cot
! tage.
I've caught him" she gasped. Hes
locked mp in the library! Oh! oh! OH
Caught whom" asked the mystified
woman. Then. seeing that her dis
tracted visitor was very near fainting,
she collected restoratives and brought
back Mrs Thorne's scattered wits.
Maud explained as soon as she could
speak that desperate-looking man, n
burglar, she was certain, and convict
as well. by the cut of his hair-had
felonoiusly entered her house a moment
before she came. and, walking boldly
into her library had been locl'o' safely
therein by herself.
The windows are naile, 'a,
have been waiting for Perry o. cpen
them, so he cannot escape that way
she concluded.
Il expected Amos on the last train;
| don't see what is keeping him." said
Mrs Smead, but he has not come yet. !"
Neither has Perry, but perhaps they
will come together Isn't it dreadful?
| daren't go back with that man in the
house. know by his looks he's n
murderer. Our girl hasn't come and
I'm all alone. Oh, if Mr. Smead were
only herew
II guess I'll do just as well" said
Mrs. Smead boldly. II will take our
revolver and you can bring the stove
litter and we will interview him
through the door"
But what good will that do? He may
shoot tirst!'
Come on" said Mrs. Smead, con-
temptuously She was only a young
matron herself. but she was not going
to be ANONYMOUSLY routed by a one
man army, and she led the way TO her
neigbor's cottage. No other people
lived in the row, so they had all the
fun 10 themselves.
But at that identical moment the 7:40
train, sometimes called the husbands
train" so many of them went out TO
spend the weeks interval with their
families. stopped at the nearest depot
and Perry Thorne with his double load
If packages, hove in sight. Both wom-
N were overjoyed to see him.
What's the row." he asked, drop
ping his bundles on the veranda.
"A man." said both women at once.
where is Smead?'
"Th"t is what would like TO know"
said Mrs. Smead. Il expect him on this
train"
II haven't seen him. Who is the
man."
A burglar, and he's locked up in
the library. Don't you think | was
brave asked Maud, who now that her
husband had come, felt that she might
pose as a heroine.
Burglars already? Ha, this is a di-
version Give me the key, Maud. I'll
ldht OlAl ltNOlNtl MI =. Dultdu. -NOW.
ladies', stand aside" and Perry made
valiant rush for the library door, which
he unlocked and threw open, at the
same time presenting arms, according
to the best manual practice.
Don't shoot cried familiar voice
that trembled, not with fear but merri-
ment. as Mr.. Smead stepped smilingly
forward and bowed low to Maud. Il
am Mrs. Thorne's captive he said
What does this mean" cried Perry,
his face flaming.
Yes, what does it mean" demanded
Mrs. Smead in the measured sylables
Of the divorce court.
1T means" explained Mr.. Smead,
that my wife has not yet learned to
box the compass. She gave me south
west and your wife locked me up in a
room that has no ventilation and is UNI
Ter a criminal ban But forgive her"
ne added, with gallant protest, whereat
Maud's cheeks grew red with embar-
'assment. and Mrs. Smead said: Come
nome! After this | will meet you at the
train and see that you don't get into
the wrong house"
DO forgive me. Mr.. Smead" said
Maud penitently, while Perry glared
larky like a jealous stage lover but
you did look $3.50
she said you looked like a convict,
embarked his wife
AT least it has made VS. acquainted"
observed Mr. Smead, true to his colors,
and with this parting shot he followed
MS wife TO the southeast" cottage.
\ Sub sidewalk Railway
\ novel plan for a sub-sideWalk rail