Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-03-15

peered out into the darkness. If she
expected to get glimpse of Whit.
ridge as he disappeared into the
black 'ess or TO hear the gravel
crnnching beneath his feet. she was
disappointed. She closed the win.
dow with "A crash.
D"rothea Walton's disappointment
had It's origin an door knob. one of
those modern cOntrivances that are
such u bane To the man who calls.
When Whitridge reached the hall he
put on his Overcoat and hat. opened
the first door aud closed it behind
him. This left him standing i'm the
vestiuule. He seized the knob of the
outer door, turned 1t and pulled, but
to no avail. Then he turned the
knob the other way and pulled, but
the door did not bulge. He turned
aud pushed and pushed and turned
but his efforts were not rewarded.
Now, ia the p years Of his life be
bad learned that locks are very hu-
man; that they resent harsh treat
men5 ana are susceptible to Kindness
and persuasion. 80 he gave this par
ucular one IA good long breathing
spell. approached II again as if he
were afraid of disturbing il and turn
Ell 1t so gently that had it been sleep
ing 1t would hardly have been awak
enrd. He went just So far aud sropp
ed. He gave 1t Il violent Jerk and a
forceful Jam-all tn no avail Again
be rested and again attacked the Oh
Stlnate mechanism only TO confess
himself utterly beaten.
lie thought Of arousing the fami
l!y, but peering through the frosted
glass into the dimly lighted hall he
SAW the family had retired for the
night. The idea Of being found in
such position WAS repulSive to him.
After what had occurred was he 10
he conquered by door knob? He
certainly WAS not. or at least until all
hope was gone. He remembered that
she had said that her father Was IN
town and would be home at twelve
o'clock. 1t was an hour yet. hut he
believed that he could persuade the
old gentleman to hold his peace. and
that was worth long and weary wait
ing.
One more attack on the door knob
convinced Whitridge of the useless
ness of further efforts at freedom, 80
he settled down in corner and made
himself as comfortable as possible
under the circumstance. As he sat
there on the floor of the dark vesti
bule he forgot the unpleasant pre-
dicament and fell into thinking of
her, and as he thought of her, forgot
all else
The sleeping man was awakened
by gentle dig in the ribs. and he
opened his eyes into the dim glare of
u dark Lantern. He tried to raise
himself, but there was weight on
his chest, and be was forced back To
"A PROSTATE condition. He would
have cried out, but heavy hand was
clasped over his mouth.
From the blackness behind the
lantern came hOarse whisper:
- sh. Mr.. Whitridge, it's me.
Grogan. who You got OF. You amt
going to be hurt"
Whitridge was wide awake now.
and the situation came TO him IN IA
flash. He recalled his one client, and,
though he realized the mans mission
at the Walton house, he felt that to
nm Grogan was messenger sent
from heaven to release him from the
tolls. The weight was removed from
his chest and the hand from his
mouth after another admonitorv
IS sh."
The lawyer got to his knees and
leaning toward the dark form of his
quondam clieut seized the grimy
hand and squeezed it affectionately
Cant you get me out, Grogan?" he
whispered.
There was chuckle. The light
quivered in evidence of the amuse-
ment of the man who held it.
Cant you?" repeated Whitridge.
"S-sh." Grogan answered. Turn
about 'ud be fair play, seein' ez you
saved me once from the jug"
"But | am not burglar" Whit