Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1897-03-26

lt was bright night, ana 1 saw Jim slip
around the corner knew he was after a
drink. That was Jim's failing, that and
gambling
l went back and sat down. The more
thought about that money the more
didn't like the idea What business had
Jim to go away and leave all the RESPONSE
bility with me? OF course he didn't leave
It all with me, but he left altogether toe
big share. As l sat there grumbling a
low tap on the window overlooking the
platform attracted my attention. l looked
up. That side of the building was in shad
ow, but l could see mans face against
the pane.
"Joc," said somebody outside. sup.
posed it might be one of the section hands
and stepped across the room.
"What is it," l called.
"Opcn the window, Joe" said the voice
pushed it up little way.
rs that you, .Ierryf'' l called.
There was no response. | put my head
through the opening and looked up and
down the line. Nobody was in sight. Just
then heard a slight noise behind me j.
drew in my head. something seemed to
crash into my brain A flash of blazing
light blinded me. Then all was dark.
When l came to, was tied in my chair,
my head was sore and wet, and two men
with strips of black cloth across their faces
We're looking down at me.
Hes all right said the shorter one.
The tall man nodded.
Get the keys" he said in a queer,
hoarse voice.
The shorter man felt in my pockets
"Not here, " he cried
"Thcy must be-" said the tall man in
his hoarse voice.
Il tell you they are not. Bring the
lamp"
The tall man took the lamp from the
window ledge and came closer TO me. But
their search was vain The tall man placed
the lamp on the table, while the short
man put revolver to my ear.
Come" he said, "where are those
keys"
My head was beginning to clear little,
1 saw it all. My wife had taken the keys
from my pocket because it was her way
and because she thought l had no further
use for them until morning.
He must have left the keys at home,
said the tall man hurriedly. Here, give
him sheet of paper and let him write
note to his wife asking for them The
short man looked up sharply.
"Ill get them, said the tall man.
They pulled the table up to me and
spread out a scrap of paper. The short
man loosened the rope and let my right
hand free. l reached to my vest pocket
half blindly and drew out my pencil, still
in a daze l tried to put my wife's name
on the sheet The pencil refused to make
mark. l looked at it. 1t was dull and hor.
ribly haggled about the point. pride my.
self on the fine point l put to my pencils.
Again l compr,hcnded that my wife had
borrowed that very pencil to write the
note to the operator wife. tried to scrib
Bile with the blunted thing.
Curse you, hurry" growled the short
ruffian
showed the pencil point. With an ex
clamation of anger the short man drew out
a heavy handled knife and swiftly sharp
ened the pencil. As he passed it back my
wandering vision was caught by the lamp
Oh the table. Heavens 1t was no longer in
the window AS this thought struck me
looked toward the ledge and saw there
white, scared face pressed against the pane.
1t was my wife.
write" growled the short rufiian.
My only thought was to gain time.
knew ny wife was there. l knew she
would bring help.
AS l did so low growl caught my ear. It
caught the ears of the villains too. The
short man dropped his knife on the table
and turned toward the door with his re
volver extended The tall man drew him
self up against the wall.
It's the dog" he hoarscly whispered.
"Shoot to kill Jack. e."
l saw the door tremble little, l saw
the short villains arm rise, and my fingers
closed on the handle of the knife he had
just dropped. Then as the door slowly
opened 1 drew back my arm and thrust
wildly at the man in front of me. Some
thing yellow flew through the doorway.
There was wild scream, IA heavy fall, and
l lapscd into Inconsistencies again.
When l came around, was III bed at
home, with Minnie bending over me.
Its all right, joe" she murmured
"They've got them both locked up safe
and sound, and the money is all right
and the mill directors have given you
81 900 of it,"
"And Jim;' I asked
"Jim she cried "Why, Jim was the
tall man. 1t was all his plot to steal the
money and throw the blame on you. And
if hadn' t taken your keys-don't scold-
they have had the money, and if it hadn't
been Tor the lead pencil dulled-the man
you stabbed told the whole story-I
wouldn't have got there in time with Hec-
tor The dog almost killed Jim before
could call him away, but l amt SO sorry
because the little man says they would
have killed you if you had by any chance
suspected Jim's identity"
reached out and took Minnie's hand.
THAT $1,000 belongs to you, dear"
said brokenly.
"Well, she answered, "if you take it,
Jim, you may rest assured III borrow it
sooner or later. -
Then she put her cheek against my hand
and laughed
Then she cried Cleveland Plain Dealer
IT,