The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-06

1t was bright night, and saw Jim slip
around the corner. / knew he was after q
drink. That was JiIn's failing, that'and
gambling.
went back and sat down. The more !
thought about that money the moro !
didn't like the idea. What business had
Jim to go away and leave all the responsii
bility with mep or course he didn't leava
1t all with me, but he left altogether too
big share. As sat there grumbling a
low tap on the window overlooking tho
platform attracted my attention. looked
up. That side of the building was In shadi
ow, but l could see mans face against
the pane.
"Joe," said somebody outside. I sup.
posed 1t might be one of the section hands
and stepped across the room.
"What is itP" / called
"Open the window, joe" said the voice.
pushed 1t up a little way
"Is that you, JeSyH" 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 came to- was tied in my chair,
my head was sore and wet, and two men
with strips of black cloth across their faces
were looking down at me.
He's 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. Z
mot here, :" he cried.
"They must be-" said the tall man in
his hoarse voice.
II 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 tho short
man put II revolver to my car.
Como" he said, where are those
keyst"
My head was beginning TO clear little
l saw it all. My wife had taken the keys
from my pocket because 1t was her way
and because she thought had no further
use for them until morning.
"He must have left the keys at home"
said the tall man hurriedly. Here, give
him u sheet of paper and let him write
note to his wife asking for them. The
short man looked up sharply.
"I'll get them" said the tail man.
They pulled tho table up to me and
spread out scrap of paper. The short
man loosened she rope and lot my right
hand free, l reached TO my vest pocket
half bindly and drew out my pencil, still
in u dazc. tried 10 put my wifes name
on the sheet The pencil refused to make
mark / looked at it, 1t was duh and hor.
ribly hagglcd about tho point. pride my
self on tho fine point | put to my pencils.
Again l comprchendcd that my wife had
borrowed that very pencil to write the
note to the operator wife l tried to scrib-
BILE with the blunted thing.
Course you, hurry!" growled the short
rufian.
showed the pencil point, With an ex.
clamation of anger the short man drew out
u heavy handled knife and swiftly sharp
ened the pencil. As he passed it back my
wandering vision was caught by the lamp
on the table. Heavensl Itwas 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
"Writel" growled the short ruffian.
My only thought was to gain time. ]
knew my wife was there. l knew she
would bring help,
took the pencil in my nerveless fingers.
As did SO low growl caught my ear. II
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 hoarsely whispered.
"Shoot to kill, Jack.
l saw the door treinble little, saw
the short villain s arm rise, and my fingers
closed on the handle Of the knife he had
just dropped. Then as the door slowly
opened l 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, heavy fall, and
l lapsed into Inconsistencies again.
When | came around, was in bed al
home, with Minnie bending over me
''It's 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 JimP" I asked.
"Jiml" 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 kcys-don't scold-
they have had the money, and If 1t hadn't
been for 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 I
could call him away, but l aln't SO sorry,
because tho little man says they would
have killed you II you had by any chance
suspected Jim's Identity"
reached out and took Minnie's hand.
THAT $1,000 belongs to you, DEAR"
said Srokenly.
. WELL" she answered, 'if you take 10,
jim, you may rest assured I'll borrow ii
sooner or later"
Then she put her check against my hand
and laughed.
Then she cried. Cleveland Plain Dealer.
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