The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-04-14

alarms Of yours. You'd have done
better to put your money in lottery
tickets. Come on, now; walk ahead
we're going upstairs"
Bingham obeyed the command. and
with misgivings, for it. had just oc-
Cured to him that in his wallet under
his pillow was several hundred dollars
which he had drawn from the bank %.
complete a deal early next morning.
In his excitement he had not thought
to hide 1t before he went downstairs.
Turn in there" sternly command
ed the burglar, as Bingham purposely
passed the door of his W ROOM, land
remember that trying to throw me, OH
comes under the head, of being bad. !
think I'd better tend to, you before you
get gay. Sit in that chair"
Bingham sat in the chair. There
was nothing else to do. And, sitting
there, he gritted his teeth, while The
burglar calmly proceeded to tie his feet
securely together with towels.
"If you SO much as bat an eye, I'll
swallow you," was the fellows adj
monition. as he finished and began to
look about the room.
First he helped himself to Bingham's
cuff buttons, and then he added to his
plumber the diamond in Bingham's
shirt. Humming a popular air, he then
approached the bed, raised the pillow
and took the wallet. Bingham's feel
ings overlooked. To be robbed was
bad enough, but to be robbed to rag
time seemed the intensity of humility.
"Ill make you suffer for, this. II 1T
takes a lifetime" Bingham shouted.
| "I'll-"
You'll shut up, that's what you'll
do" said the burglar, selling another
towel and binding it around Bingham's
mouth. I'm going to take a little trip
about the house now. Don't so much
as stir, mind you. I'm in a good hui
NOR tonight or I'd hurt you long ago"
Time dragged with Bingham. while
the burglar pursued his search. He
heard him rummaging first in one
room and then in another. and 1t
seemed an age before he returned.
holding in his hand a photograph.
Bingham wondered what could ha 70
wrought q change in the man. The
air Of bravado that had characterized
his every nov was gone.
"I'm going to ask you a question or
two and I want you to answer me
truthfully." said the burglar. earnestly.
Bingham nodded.
Perhaps it doesn't concern me-"
continued the burglar, as he removed
the towel that checked Bingham's
speech. 'but I'd like you to tell ma
who this is." He turned the picture to
his captive.
my wife," said Bingham, simply.
It seemed to Bingham that the lines
on the burglars face softened.
did you ever hear her chance to
speak of Dick Price?" he asked. "a
friend Of long ago."
eyes," said Bingham, "often. They
were to be married I believe. Price
stole some money and ran away. They
called him a worthless cur, and no one
was sorry when a report came that he
was dead"
The burglar nodded his head. Il
knew Price," he said. HE was q
worthless cur. like myself. But I've
changed my mind about taking your
stun. All I want is this-the picture
to. remember Dick Price by, and I want
you to promise never to tell Of my visit
here tonight"
II PROMISE" was Bingham's reply.
"I'm going now" said the burglar.
bending over Bingham and releasing
his hands and feet. Remember your
promise
He trudged away and . moment Ia
tef Bingham heard the front door open
and listened to the sound Of footsteps
till they died away down the street.
2 a-H...a.