The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-01-24

a speculative reveric until the brake
man called "O-a-k-l-a-n-d!' as IL only
the deaf lived at that station. Mrs.
Smead was waiting for her husband,
whom she expected on the $3.50 train,
but the train had come and gone, and
instead of the handsome, well-groomcd
Mr.. Smead a frantic woman. her neigh
Dor, Mrs. Thorne, rushed into her cot
tage.
i've caught him. she gasped. Hes
locked up in the library! Oh! oh! oh"
Caught whom" asked the mystified
woman. Then, seeing that her dis
tracted visitor was very near fainting,
she collected restoratives and brought
back Mrs. Thorne's scattered wits.
Maud explained as soon as she could
speak that a desperate-looking man,
burglar she was certain, and convict
as well, by the cut of his hair-had
felonoiusly entered her house moment
before she came, and, walking boldly
into her library, had been locke safely
therein by herself.
1.-THE windows are nailed IA; i
have been waiting for Perry to open
them, so he cannot escape that way"
she concluded.
II expected Amos on the last train;
don't see what is keeping him." said
Mrs. Smead, "but he has not come yet"
IN, ither has Perry, but perhaps they
will come together. Isn't it dreadful?
[ daren't go back with that man in the
house. 1 know by his looks he's
murderer. Our girl hasn't come and
I'm all alone. Oh, If Mr.. Smead were
only herew
II guess I'll do just as WELL" said
Mrs. Smead boldly. 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 do? He may
shoot firstv'
"Come on" said Mrs. Smead con-
temptuously. She was only young
matron herself, but she was not going
to be ANONYMOUSLY routed by a one
man army, and she led the way to her
neigbor's cottage No other people
lived in the row, so they had all the
fun to themselves.
But at that identical moment the TAO
train, sometimes called the husbands
spend the weeks interval with their
families, stopped at the nearest depot
and Perry Thorne, with his double load
Of packages, hove in sight Both wom-
an were overjoyed to see him.
whats the row." he asked, drop
ping his bundles on the veranda.
ga man. said both women at once.
"Where is Smead?"
"That is what would like to know"
said Mrs. Smead. II expect him on this
train"
81 haven't seen him. Who is the
man,"
"a burglar, and he's locked up in
the library. Don't you think I was
brave?" asked Maud, who, now that her
husband had come, felt that she might
pose as heroine.
= Burglars already? Ha! this is di>
version. Give mo the key, Maud. I'll
take your revolver, Mrs. Smead. Now,
ladies, stand aside" and Perry made a
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 shootv' cried a familiar voice
that trembled, not with fear, but merri-
ment, as Mr.. Smead stepped smilingIy
forward and bowed low to Maud. 81
am Mrs. Thornes captive" he said.
what does this mean?" cried Perry,
bis face flaming.
Yes, what does it mean?" demanded
Mrs. Smead in the measured syllables
of the divorce court.
ct 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 is I'M
Ter a criminal ban. But forgive her."
he added with gallant protest, whereat
Maud's cheeks grew red with embar-
:assment, 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 penitently, while Perry glared
1arkly like a 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 colors,
and with this parting shot he followed
his wife to the ''southeaSt" cottage