The citizen., 1896-07-10


flushed face with her apron, and, shall-
ing her head mournfully, drew back
beyond the heat of the flames that were
laying bare the rafters.
Ben Ezra must come out!" Mrs. Bal
com said again. The horses agonized
whinny had broken the spell that was
upon her. Her eyes filled at the sound,
and she ran forward aimlessly and
glanced desperately about her.
MAN! You mani" she cried, all at
once "Come here and get our horse"
Though the stranger had seemed to
spring from the ground he showed
no alacrity about coming further.
He took time to survey the land
scape before he climbed the fence.
He looked past the women, not at
them, as though he feared pos
sible somewhat behind; and when he
had advanced to where they stood,
though he abruptly took the manner of
haste and impatience, his shifty eyes
still seemed to cover every point of the
horizon.
"Now, then" he demanded, where's
your ax?"
Balcom's detected reply.
N it's a paytent lock!" the cook
chimed in, tragically.
"Hey?" The stranger started and
stared at them suspiciously. He turned
again to scan the hill road. Then he ran
up to the door.
"Huh! That thing!" the women
heard him say, contemptuously.
The smoke fioated lazily off and left
the vision unobscured, and the spitefu
snap of flame overruled every other
noise. The women looked and listened
with an intentness that would have
been painful had it long endured. From
tbs bag he carried thestranger took q
glittering something which he applied
to the lock- Instantaneously, almost,
the door few open. Stripping off his
blouse, the man passed through, and
when he reappeared the horse, safely
blinded, uninjured, was with him. Mrs.
Balcom futtered after as he led the
trembling brute to safer place. For
once in her life she could not meet the
occasion with graceful words.
'Oh. don't know how to thank you!"
she faltered, at length. "Mr. Balcom
values Ben Ezra so! I'm sure he'll
Why, here he comes! Oh, James!" she
cried, as her Observation-Disclosures, coatless.
and visibly persEiring the fence
in bound and dashed up to the group.
"Oh, James! If it hadn't been for this
this honest workingman, Ben Ezra
would have been burned!"
Mr.. Balcom's eye was on his favorite.
but his hand went into his pocket and
brought out a roll of bills.
THANK ye. boss,'' the stranger said
sourly.
"Not-enough!" Mr.. Balcolm found
breath to add. "Come to-morrow-my
office-give you as much again!' The
thought of another duty occurred TO
him at the same instant, and it made
him face toward the road. "All right
Parlker!" he called. mo hurry
"All right" The man who had just
come into view moderated his pace
After the first keen, comprehensive
glance in the direction of the others, he
conspieuously ignored them, and look
ing at the stable delayed his approach
Mr.. Balcom returned to the fondling of
Ben Ezra. The horses rescuer had
been standing at the corner of the house
No one saw him slip around it.
Sound as dollar, Parker!" Mr.. Bal
com said moment later. There was a
suspicion of tears in his voice, and he
blew his nose energetically before he
tSusted himself to speak again
Thanks to this worthy man Why,
where is hep"
Mr.. Parker smiled serenely to himself
rs he bent to lift Ben Ezra's leg; but he
said nothing.
Guess he must "a been in a hurry"
the cook put in; ''he went off n left his
satchel. I s'pose better lay it away
hadn't l fore these ere firemen go to
tranpin' round?"
She offered the strangers bag to Nj,
Balcom, but Mr.. Parker took it from his
unresisting hand and ooolly pulled it
open. Then he drew Mr.. Balcom to one
side and bade him look in. For" said
he, you won't often see neater set o
burglars tools than that isl"
Mr.. Balcom seemed less Mortified than
he should have been; but it was evident
that he was puzzled. He looked from
the bag to Parker and back again.
well" he suggested, at length, ''he
amt likely to hang around Maple Parl,
any more, is hep"
"I guess not the detective made
proud rejoinder. "He knows me-knew
mes quick's knew him!"
"Yes-well- you see" Mr.. Balcolm
buttonholed Parker, in his turn, and led
him still further from the crowd. "Oi
course-I'm responsible pay ell the
bills" he went on, with disiointed
ecrnestness. ''I-you-don't you un-
derstand. haven't anything more for
you to do here? Why, hang it all. man.
he saved Ben EZra!"
'Oh, know how you feel" the detec-
tive answered He spoke as though he
really did. 81 like a good hoss my
self. See? There's a train back to
town in bout 90 minutese. amt the'?'
--Demorest's Magazine.
The Deacon Undone.
Thara was Opon 6ooo0o IN Cora God