Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-06-05

From the %blackness behind the lantern
came a hoarse whisper:
"S-shi Mr.. Whitridge, it's me, Grogan,
who you got of. You amt goin to be
hurt!"
Whitridge was wide awake now, and
the situation came to him in a flash. He
recalled his one client, and though he
realized the mans mission at the Walton
house he felt that to him Grogan was a
messenger sent from heaven to release him
from the tolls. The weight was removed
from the chest and the hand from his
mouth after another ~admonitory "S.sht"
The lawyer got to his knees, and leaning
toward the dark form Of his quondam eli
ent seized the griny hand and squeezed 1t
a~ffectlonately. "Can't you get me out.
Grogan?" he whispered.
There was a ohuCkle. The light culver
ed in evidence of the amusement Of the
man who held it.
''Can't your" repeated Whitridge.
"S-sh! p Grogan answered. "Turn about
nd be fair play, seein ez you saved me
once from the Jug"
"But I'm not a burglar" Whitridge
expostulated.
sit looks suspicious" was the reply.
II 4LSAu 4uANCAO0 again oAN NAo
lently. you seem anxious to get out
without a row."
"See here, Grogan," said Whitridge, II
got in here honestly, and I'm going to
get out honestly. These people are friends
Of mine, and I think I'll just give the
alarm"
Chow about me?'' said the burglar. II
don't think they're on my wisitin list"
"But can't I say you are a friend OF
miner"
"a pretty time this fer frien's to be
looked up in ~vestybules, particular with
pockets full O. spoons an things like this"
Grogan held a handsome portfolio in the
light of the lantern. II got 1t in her
room while lookin fer jewelry an bills.
Kin you read?"
He opened the leaves and turned the
light full on a page covered with angular
handwriting. A long silence followed,
during which the burglar ran his finger
along the lines and spelled out word after
word.
t'Why, it's about a Teller, he muttered.
'She must "a had EN- bad. If he'd on
ly come back to me- she says"
Essays whatp" exclaimed W~hitridge,
grasping his companions arm.
"S-sh! She says if he'd only come back
she'd a-o-c-e-p-t him an
Whitridge seized the portfolio. "It's o
woman's diary y he said roughly, land
| you have no right to look ut it,"
Then, fixing it in the lantern light to
suit his W eyes, he read the last entry:
"Eleven p. m. What a fool I am! I have
| just refused him; told him that he was a
4 -r,,eI,1xII, vovtod about oir,c and arrhi-
! tions; aired all my fine ideas, and yet
when he had gone I listened just to hear
his footsteps as he picked his way along
the path to the street. Women are geese!
If only he would come back, l would beg
his forgiveness and accept him. II he
would only come back!'
Whitridge snapped the portfolio shut
and arose.
'Grogan," he said firmly, 1--WE must
get out Of this at once. Never mind how.
I'll take care Of you and plead your case
at another bar"
"Jest watt" growled the burglar.
"Mebbe''-
A 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; a feminine
scream, followed by an uproar on the up.
per floors of the house.
"Never mind, Dorothea," arose from
the yestibule. ''It's only me, Sam Whit.
ridge. I've got a burglar. Hurry down
here and let me out OF this CELL"
us it really you, SamS' came in fright
ened tones to Whitridge, who had Grogan
pinned fast in q corner.
'Elp, miss. clip! He's chokin me tc
DEATH"
"Yes, it's I. Don't be scared"
In answer to these cries Dorothea Wal.
ton, attired in a long driving coat and
carrying a golf club, led a line of five
maids, similarly armed, down the stairs
The ancient negro butler drew up in the
rear muttering prayers.
The IGOR was opened, and Whitridge
dragged his captive forth before the house
hold.
"How did you get him9" exclaimed the
girl, her fright having given way to as
constituent.
"Don't bother about that now, " replied
Whitridge n~onohalantly. "Haye you
good closet close by?"
Dorothea ran to the distant end Of TIN
hall and threw open a door. Whitridg'
pulled the discounted Grogan after her
while the maids made a threatening
demonstration against the prisoner will
their golf clubs.
"Plead ard, Mr.. Whitridge; plea.
ard" moaned the burglar as his capto
pushed him into the closet, closed the doc
and turned the key.
"What does the creature mean?"
Compose yourself, Dorothea," replied
the young man ooolly. First let us hav
some lights In the library. Then l shall
explain"
The suggestion was quickly followed
and while the six servants watched tn
door behind which lay the captive, San
Whitridge explained.
s'The man thinks, and rightly, too" h
said, ''that he has a claim on you and me
inasmuch 9 he showed this to me-" H
drew the diary from his pocket and opene'
1t at the last entry. II have 9 meal
enough to read it,
Dorothea Walton took the portfolio
looked blankly at the man and then at tn
last page.
"Am l forgivenp" Whitridge asked.
The girl seated herself at the table AM
seized a pen.
There is one more entry" she said
Look over my shoulder and read It,"
She glanced at the clock and then wrote
"Two a. m. He has come back, and
have accepted him. Anew York Sun.
~ Historic Tree stump. 4
The stump of the tree to which Israe
Putnam wal once tied In the French an
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