Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1896-01-17

and then Perry shouted in a voice that
sounded above the roar Of escaping
steam:
We've left our Sunday dinners on
the window stand of the ticket office.
You go on, Smead, and I'll take the
next train out"
He swung himself clear of the train,
turned somersault and waved "all
right" to Smead, who mopped the cin-
ders and perspiration from bis face and
remarked to the man standing next to
him, in friendly way:
Nice way to spend cha summer liv-
ing in the suburbs p
"Yes, if you don't care what you
say" growled the man
Then Smead took bit Of pasteboard
from his pocket and began to study it.
Southeast corner, Terrace row, Oak
land
Smead asked his gruff neighbor if he
got of at that station
"No, | don't" said the man. "You
couldn't hire me to live in that swamp
go out ten miles farther where you
don't have to sft the atmosphere to keep
the mosquitoes from choking you"
That sounded discouraging, but Smead
was not anxious to ride ten miles farther
on an accommodation train that slowed
up for every COW on the track, and he
wrapped himself in speculative raVerie
until the brakeman called Oak
land as If only the deaf lived at
that station
Mrs. Smead was waiting for her hus-
band, whom she expected on the G:30
train, but the train had come and gone,
and instead Of the handsome, we'll
groomed Mr.. Smead. frantic woman,
her neightor, Mrs. Thorne, rushed into
her cottage.
"I've caught him !" she gaspei, "He's
locked up in the library. Oh Oh! Oh g.
Caught whom ?" asked the mystitied
woman. Then seeing that her distracted
visitor was very near fAinting. she col
lected restoratives and brought back
Mrs. Thorne's scattered wits.
Maud explained as soon as she could
speak that desperate looking man--a
burglar, she was certain, and convict
as well by the cut Of his hair-had fell
ouiously entered her house moment
before she came, and walking boldly
into her library had been locked safely
therein by herself.
1.-The windows are nailel down. I
have been waiting for Perry to open
them, so be cannot escape that way,
she concluded.
II expected Amos on the last train.
don't sec what is keeping him." said
Mrs. Slnead, "but be 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 is muir
derer. Our girl hasn't come, and I'm
all alone. Oh, il Mr.. Smead were only
here !"
IL guess I'll do just as we'll. said
Mrs Smcad coldly. 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 do2 He
may shoot irst!"
Come on" said Mrs Smcad con-
tcmptuously. She was only a young
matron herself, but she was not going
to be ignominiously routed by one man
army, and she led the way to her neigh
boris cottage. No other people lived 10
the row. so they had all the fun TO them
selves
But at that identical moment the 7:40
train, sometimes called the husbands
train, 80 many of them went out TO spend
the weeks interval with their famiEiesf1
stopped at the nearest depot aud Perry
Thorne, with his double load Of pack
ages, hove in sight. Both women were
overjoyed TO see him
Whats the row y he asked. drop
ping his bundles on the veranda.
"a man !" said both women at once.
Where is Smead y
THAT is what would like 10 know"
said Mrs. smead. 81 expected him on
this train"
/ haven't seen him. Who is the
man p
"A burglar, and he's locked up in
the library Don't you think was
brave 7" asked Maud, who, now that her
husband had come, felt that she might
pose as a heroine.
Burglars already ? Ha, this is a d.
version. Give me the key Maud. I'll
take your revolver, Mrs. Smead. Now,
ladies, stand aside" and Perry made 4
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 y cried u familiar voice
that trombled. not with fear, but merri-
ment, as Mr.. Smead stepped smilingly
forward and bowed low to Maud. II am
Mrs. Thorne's captive" he said
What does this mean r. cried Perry,
his face flaming
YES, what does it mean p demanded
Mrs. Smead in the measured syllables
of the divorce court.
ut 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
room that has no ventilation and IN
der criminal ban. But l forgive her y
he added, with gallant protest. whereat
Nsude's checks grew red with en,bar-
rassment, and Mrs. Smead said /:
Come home After this l will meet
you at the train and see that you don't
get into the wrong house,
"Do forgive me, Mr.. Smead," said
Maud pcnitently, while Perry glared
darkly like jealous stage lover, ''but
you did look $3.50"
"She said you looked like convict, :"
remarked his wife.
"At least it has made US acquainted "
observed Mr.. Smead, true to his col0ra.
and ,uith This lnak nnrhinn ahnt he fnl