The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-09-11
sentiment MS

air paytent lock on-Mr. Balconl's got
the key with him
Mrs. Balcom 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 IL. Il
did not even tremble. She mopu.d her
flushed face with her apron. and. shak-
lug 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 aconize,l
whinny had broken the spell that WAS
upon her Her eyes filled at the sound.
and she ran forward aimlcSssIy and
glanced desperately about her
Man, You mani" she cried. all Al
once Come here and get our horse
Though the stranger had seemed To
spring from the ground he shovel
no alacrity about coming further
lie took time To survey the land
scape before he climbed the fence.
lie looked past the women. not al
them. as though he feared a pos
sible somewhat behind; and when he
had advanced to where they stood.
though he abruptly took the manner of
haste and impatience. his shiftv eyes
still seemed to cover every point of the.
horizon
Now, then" he demanded, where's
your ax?"
In the stable, I suppose was Mrs.
Ralcom's detected reply.
N it's a Paytent lock-" the cook
chimed in, tragically
stared al 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, contemptuousIy.
The smoke fioated lazily off and left
the vision unobscured. and the spitefuI
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
the bag he carried ths,stranger took a
glittering something which he applied
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, unin jured, was with him. Mrs.
Baloom futtered after as he led the
trembling brute to 4 safer place For
once in her life she could not meet the
occasion with graceful words
"Oh, don't know how to thank vou!''
she faltered, at length Mr. RaIcom
values Ben Ezra So I'm sure hell
Why, here he comes, Oh. James, she.
cried. as her husband-hatleSS. c.larleSS.
and visibly perspiring the fence
in a bound and dashed Up to the group.
'Oh, James, If it hadn't been for this
this honest workingman, Ben Ezra
would have been burnedi'
Mr.. Balcom's eye was on his favorite
but his hand went into his pocket and
brought out roll OF bills.
Thank We. boss" the stranger said,
sourIy.
''Not-enough," Mr. Balcolm found
breath TO add Come to-morrow-mv
oftice-give you as much again,' The
thought of another duty occurred 70
him at the same instant, and IL 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.. BaloOm returned To the fondIing of
Ren Ezra The horses rescue- had
been standing at the corner of the house.
No one saw him slip around it,
Sound as dollar, Parker," Mr.. Bal
com said n moment later. There was Il
suspicion of tears in his voice, and he
blew his nose energetically before he
I'M To L
Thanks to this worthy man Why.
where is he?''
MIR. Parker smiled serenely to himself
as 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
Sa'chel- l s'pose l better lay ii away
hadn't | fore these ere firemen go to
trGmpin' round?"
She offered the strangers bag to-Nlr
Balcom, but Mr.. Parker took it from his
unresisting hand and ooolly pulled ii
open. Then he drew Mr. Ralcom to one
side and bade him look in. For said
he, You won't often see neater set y
burglars tools than that is!"
Mr.. Balcom seemed less Mortified than
he should have been; but il was evident
that he was puzzled. He looked from
the bag to Parker and back again
Well" he suggested. at length. che
amt likely TO hang around Maple Park
any more, is he?"
Il guess not" the detective made
proud rejoinder. He knows me-i<new
mes quick's | knew him.
''Ges-well- see" Mr. Ralcolm
buttonholed Parker. in his turn. and led
him still further from the crowd ''Of
course-l'm responsible pay aH the
bills" he went on, with disjointed |
e;>rnestness. ''I-you-don't you un-
derstand, l 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. II like good hoss my |
self See? There's train back To |
town in bout 20 minutese, amt the'?~
Magazine.