The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-01-29

1t seemed to strike Jim Davis, however,
as a rather good idea, and he considered it
graVely for few moments without speaking
but with his light, cunning-looBing eyes fixed
on me with expression that presently
made me feel uncomfortable.
Come [ said at last; sit is getting late
it will be better to get cur business over
before your mother anyone else comes in.
"All right. I'll so and get the jewels said
Jim, sulkily.
Where are they?" 1 asked beginning to
feel uneasy.
"Oh, only upstairs, Miss!; he said, reas-
suringly.
And then, without further ado he proceed
ed to climb VI the ladder that did duty for a
staircase, and finally disappeared through
the trap-door at the top
1 could hear him moving overhead, and
from the time it took him to perform his
GRAND, [ concluded that the jewels had
been hidden in various places and required
to be collected together
Presently, [ grew Impatient and a feeling
of vague curiosity prompted me to open the
door leading into the parlor, and see if the
well-remembered room was still as it used
to be.
AS did so I was surprised to see a rather
large dark object descend quickly past the
little window and fall with a muffled chink
on the fiower-bed below
With a sudden suspicion of I scarce know
what I flew out through the kitchen and
round to the back of the house, where was
just in time to see the head of Jim Davis
sticking out of the window above that of the
parlor, and to observe that he was struggling
wildly to get his body through the small
old-faShioned easement.
Just then he saw me, and the oath that
escaped him was not pleasant to hear.
Without stopping to think I snatched up
the parcel, which, as I guessed, consisted of
the jewels, tied roughly up in Jim's Sunday
coat, and darted out at the garden gate and
down the lane.
[ soon repented of my foolishness, for it
was the work of only few moments for Jim
to get down the ladder and out of the door
in pursuit, and three minutes after I had
started 1 heard the clatter of his heavy lum-
bering steps behind me, and the sound made
me increase my speed, but the box was heavy
and I was tired of my walk from the vicar
age, and in spite of all my efforts the steps
gained on me.
The though of the distance between me and
my friends or any other nabitation made me
sick with fear and my heart almost stopped
beating as l began to hear Jim's heavy
breathing now close behind me.
L had turned into the high road, instinc-
lively, from the lane, instead of the field
Path by which [ mad come; it seemed more
likely that people would be passing on the
road; but no one was in sight, and feeling
of despair came upon me.
My strength was almost gone now, and I
knew that the horrible race could only end in
not be best to give it up at once, when Jim s
hand seized my arm, and I shuddered and
closed my eyes.
I opened them again, instantly, however, as
startled oath from Jim told me that some
thing had happened.
1 turned round quickly, and faced Bruce
Armitage.
1t seemed absurd-inpossible- yet I
knew that I was not mistaken, and 1 gave
a little cry of surprise and joy.
Mr.. Armitage had his fingers on nv
eremys throat in a moment, and Jim was
struggling violently.
Then, suddenly, with a crash, they both
came to the ground, and almost without
knowing it, I screamed for help
But no one was in sight, and I was almost
in despair, when, to my relief I saw that Mr.
Armitage had, for the moment, conquered
and was holding his adversary down on the
ground.
Jim lay perfectly still and horrible fear
seized me that he might never move again.
ooh! is he dead?' I cried.
Not he,' replied my friend cheerfully. but
painting from his exertions. mot even hurt
beyond few bruises; he's collecting his
strength for a fresh attack"
"Oh dear. Can 1 do nothing?' I asked
Nothing-un1ess you go to the nearest
house for help, and get someone to send for
tie police
But I don't like to leave you"
ooh! I'm all right, and-you see, there's no
help for it. We might wait here all night
for someone to pass
Eyes, I KNOW will go at once" and I
started to run il the direction of the nearest
cottages.
But had not gone far when two men ap-
peared in the fields on my left, coming from
their work
I called them and easily induced them to
come to aid, one starting at once to
Melverton Police Station, and the other re-
turning with ne
We found Jim still lying perfectly quiet.
wifi rd cI1IIx -.