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

- ~ S""S "1o piea " yOuTs,
Mr.. Whit"
Hang the plea"
"All that | ask is that you silence
your concience. disregard your sus-
picions and let me go my way"
81 can't. IL looks like we're botn
caught said the burglar. Whit
ridge heard a muttered oath and ref
erence to the door knob.
Cant you open III" he asked.
"No, answered Grogan. 81 might
have once, but it's been jammed all
out o shape. ! cant 90 back, uuth.
err"
"How in the world did you get in?"
why me and my pal come thro'
the cellar window, of course. He
stayed below and gathered up the
silver while went up stairs. / goes
into room there, an hardly was |
at work till hears woman begin
TO GIT restless. Had it been "A man
I'd stayed. for man'll mostly cover
mp his head and lay srill. but wo-
man alters Wells. 80 | sneaked. Bill
ne went through the window with
the maiu part Of swag an all the
tools. an come this WAY. Here
am. Oae doors closed, 50 can't 90
back: t'other can't open
This Is pretty kettle of fish"
moancd Whitridge.
Fish: Burglars Won mean" re
torted Grogan. but where's your
swag;"
"See here, Grogan." said Whit
ridge, Il got in here honestly, and
I'm going to get out honestly. These
people are friends OF mine. and
think i'll just give the alarm"
"How about me-" said the burg
lar. Il don't think they're on my
visitin' list
But can't | say you are friend
of mine:"
"A pretty time this for frien's to
he locked mp in vestybules, partcu-
lar with pockets full o spoons and /
things like this" Grogan he'd out .
u handsome portfolio IN the light of
the lantern. 81 got it in her room
while IOokia' fer jewelry an bills.
Kin you read"
He opened the leaves and turned
the light full on "A page covered with
angular handwriting. \ long silence
followed, during which the burglar
ran his finger along the lines and
spelled out word after word.
"Why. it's about fellow" he
muttered. "She must a had 'em
bad. If he'd only come back to me.
she says"
Says what" exclaimed Whitridge.
graSplng his companions arm.
IS sh. She says if he'd only come
back she'd acc e-p him an"
WhItridge seized the portfolio.
Its woman's diary" he SAID
roughly, land you have no right to
look at it"
Then fixing it in the lantern light
to suit his own eyes. he read the last
entry: ii p. IN. What fool ! am.
| have just refused him; told him he
was numbskull; ranted about aims
and ambitions; aired all my fine ideas
and vet when he had gone | listened
just to hear his footsteps as he pick
ed his way along the path to the
street. Women are geese. If only
he would come back | would beg his
forgiveness and accept him. If he
would only come back.
Whitridge snapped the portfolio
shut and arose.
jest wait" growled the burglar,
"mebbe-"
\ strong hand was laid on his
throat, and he was lifted to his feet
and thrown violently against the
door.
There was a crash of glass, fem
mine scream, followed 10y an uproar
on the upper floors of the house.
"Never mind, Dorothea," arose
from the vestibule. Its only me.
Sam Whitridge. I've got burglar.
Hurry down here and let ME on, of
this cell"
"IS it really You, SAM" came in
frightened tones to Whitridge, who
had Grogan pinned fast in IA corner.
"'Elp. miss 'elp. He's chokin' me
to dealt"
oXas it'S nOn'f ba soora1 -