Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-09-27

but the train Lad come and gone, and I'm.
stead Of the handsome. well groomed Mr.
Smead, fran'ic woman. her neighbor,
Mrs. Thorne, rushed into her cottage
I've caught hiIa' she gaspcd Hes
locked up in the library. OH OH Oh 20
Caught whom asked the mystiiied
woman Then seeing that her distracted
| visitor was very near fainting she collect
ed restorativos and brought back Mrs.
Thorne scattered wits.
Maud explained a. soon as she could
speak that "a desperate looking mana
burglar she Wa, certain, and "A convict as
well 10y the cut of his hair--had felonious-
~ entered her house a moment before she
came, and walking boldly into her library
had been locked safely therein by herself
The windows are nailed down. | have
been waiting for Perry TO open them, So
he cannCt escape that way, she concluded
Il expected Amos on the last train
don 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 dreadfuli
darent 20 back with that man in the
house | know by his looks he is muir
derer our girl hasn't come, and IN al
Il guess I'll do just a. well. said Mrs
Smead coldly Il Will take our revolver
and YOU can bring the stove litter and we
will interview him through the door
But what good will that Goy lie may
shoot first !"
Come on, said Mrs Smead contempt
uously. She was only "a young matron
herself, but she was not going TO be igno.
miniously routed by one man army, and
she led the way 70 her neighbor's cottage
No other people lived in the row, so they
had all the fun 10 themselves.
But at that identical moment the 7:4O
train, sometimes called the husbands
train, SO many of them went out TO spend
the week : interval with their families
stopped at the nearest depot, and Perry
ThOrnc, with his double load OF packages.
hove in sight. Both women were over
JOyed To sec him.
What's the row." he asked, dropping
his bundles on the veranda
"A man said both women at once
where is Smeadi'
"That is what | would like 20 know, "
said Mrs Smead II expected him on
this train
Il haven't seen him. Who is the mani"
"A burglar, and he's locked up in the
library Don't you tInk | 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 diver
sion. Give me the key, Maud Ill take
your revolver, Mrs Smead Now, ladies,
stand aside, and Perry made valiant
rush for the library door, which he un-
locked and threw open, AT the same time
presenting arms according 10 the best
manual practice.
Don't shoot" cried "a familiar voice
that tremblcd, not with fear, but merri
mcnt. "a, MIR Smcad stepped smiliugly for
ward and bowed low to Maud. u am
Mrs. Thornc captive, he SAID.
What does this mcany cried Perry, has
face flaming
Yes, what does il mean?" demanded
Mrs. Smcad in the measured syllables OF
the divorce court
1t means, explained Mr. Smead. that
my wife has not yet learned 10 box the
compass. She gave me southwest, and
your wife locked me up in "a room that has
no ventilation and under criminal ban.
But forgive her, ~ he added, with gallant
protest, whereat Maud cheeks grew red
with embarrassment, and Mrs. Smead
said
Come home! After this will meet
you at the train and see that you don I
get into the wrong house.
do forgive me, Mr.. Smead, said Maud
penitently, while Perry glnred darkly like
a jealous stage lover, but you did look so
So
she said you looked like q convict, "
remarked his wife
AT least it has made Us acquainted, "
observed Mr.. Smcad, true 10 his colors
and with this parting shot he followed his
wife TO the southeast cottage Detroit
Free Press -