The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-07-23

"D'know," was the depressing answer.
81 sent Jane to the corner alter the fire.
men; but the land knows how long it'll
take to git 'em here"
Ben Ezra must come out!" Mrs. Bal
com asserted; but there was an accent of
despair in the words, determined as the
sentiment was.
Cant break that door down! N that
air paytent lock on-Mr. Balcoms got
the key with him"
Mrs. Balloon stared straight before,
her like one fascinated into helpless
ness. The servants conscience would
not let her rest until she had kicked the
door and thrown herself against it. 1t
did not even tremble. She mopped her
flushed face with her apron, and, shali-
ing her head mournfully, drew back
beyond the heat of the flames that were
laying bare the raftCrs.
Ben Ezra must come Quit" Mrs. Bal
com said again. The horses agonized
whinny had broken the spell that was
upon her. Her eyes filed 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 Impotence, his shifty eyes
still seemed to cover every point of the
horizon.
"Now, then" he demanded, where's
your aX?"
"In the stable, 1 suppose" was Mrs
Balcom's detected reply.
IN it's a paytent lock-" the cook
chimed in, tragically.
"uey?" The stranger started and
stared at them suspiciously He turped
again to scan the hill road. Then he ran
up to the door.
Huh! That thing!" the women
heard him say, contemptuously.
The smoke floated lazily off and left
the vision unobscured, and the spiteful
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
Che bag he carried the stranger took
r1i !, in1, l.n ,nI
to the lock. Instantaneously, almost,
the door flew open. Stripping off his
blouse, the man passed through, and
when he reappeared the horse safely
blinded, uninjured, was with him. Mrs.
Balloon 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.. Balloon
values Ben Ezra so! I'm sure hell
Why, here he comes! Oh, james," she
cried, as her husband-hatless coatless,
and visibly spiring-took the fence
in a bound and dashed up to the group.
"Oh, James! If it hadn't been for this
this honest nottingham, Ben Ezra
would have been burned!"
Mr.. Balcom's eye was on his favorite.
but his hand went into his pocket and
brought out roll of bills.
Thank ye, boss" the stranger said,
sourly.
"Not-enough!" Mr.. Balcolm found
breath to add. Come to-morrow-1ny
oftice-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,
Parker!" 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
conspicuously ignored them, and look
ing at the stable delayed his approach
Mr.. Balloon 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 a 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
trusted himself to speak again
Thanks to this worthy man Why,
whore is he?"
Mr.. Parker smiled serenely to himself
as he bent to lift Ben Ezra's leg; but he
said nothing.
Guess he must "a been in hurry"
the cook put in; 'he went off n left his
satchel. | s'pose | better lay it away
hadn't 1 fore these ere fremen go to
traInpin' round?"
She offered the strangers bag to Mr.
Balcom, but Mr. Parker took it from his
unresisting hand and ooolly pulled it
open. Then he drew Mr.. Balloon to one
side and babe him look in. For" said
he, you won't often see a neater set o
burglars tools than that isl"
Mr. Balloon 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 Park
any more, is he?"
81 guess not" the detective made
proud rejoinder, "He knows me-knew
mes quicl's knew him!"
r. D.