The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1900-10-25


behind him slowly came the couple.
when he reached the top floor the
captain was agitatcd. IL couldn't he
possible that this girl lived on that
floor! She did however. As she
and her escort started on the last
flight of stairs Capt. Lawyer hesitated
between shouting nt them. doing u
shadow dance on the landing to
frighten them. or climbing the lad
der that led up to the skylight. Dis.
erection prevailed, and MS the captain
hurried up the ladder his luck
changed for the moment. The sky
light was unlocked. lie had Just
time to push II open and vanish when
the couple reached the hall. II the
captain had been cold in the halls he
forgot IL when he reached the roof
The Thermometer must have marked
| about 10 degrees above zero and the
wind raced along as rccklessly as III
he were not standing on the roof
clad only in u nightshirt. The good
bys at the door of the apartment took
| an unknown amount Of time, which
Capt. Lawyer has variously estimated
| at between one and three hours. He
| got good look at the young man.
however. and " he ever meets him In
| n dark street the nearest hospital will
have to send its ambulance.
As soon as the door closed behind the
girl and the escort started downstairs
| the captain climbed down from the
roof still with cold. lie made his way
cautiously down the six flights OF
stairs to the front door. II was
heavy door which closed automatical-
| ly by n spring. TO reach the janitor's
bell he must release this door and let
IL close behind him. The other door
at the rear of the hall. which led Ia the
basement stairs. was always locked.
Capt. Lawyer hesitated. To arouse the
janitor he must permit himself to he
locked out OF the house. By this time
he was desperate. He knew that "
any one caught him his explanation OF
his being out in u nightshirt would be
| suspicious. aud he concluded that he
would feign crazy In such an emcrgcn-
cy. Out into the vestibulr he crept and
reluctantly permitted the big foor 10
close behind him. lie punched the jan.
| "
punches and more faint iinkles. Then
u long push and wal, for results.
Darn that Ferguson" he muttcred.
Does he want to keep "a man out side
In u nightshirt until morning? Why
don't he wake up?'
Burr-r-r-r, barr-burr-burr went the
bell but Ferguson was sweet'y dream
Ing Of the rakc.off which the butcher
had promised him on The new tenants
bill.
Lawyer knew when hr WAS beaten
and he saw that he could not hope 10
awake MIR. Ferguson by the bell. There
was one last resource. lie could go
OUTSIDE. dodge down the arenway steps
and pound on the jani.or's window.
As Lawyer reached the sidewalk In
pursuance OF this plan beiatcG maid
and her beau came around the corner,
headed directly for him. just as they
caught sight of him in the dim lighf
from the street lamp Lawyer threw his
arms wildly around his head and emit.
ted a series of fierce growls, which
were none the less horrifying because
subdued. He did not want To arouse
the neiRhborhood.
"Merciful heavens! What IN it,
screamed the maid.
Run" said her escort, aud run they
did.
: Lawyer regretted that he missed the
young mans explanation Of the spec
tacle. Down the janitor's steps piled
the captain. knowing that In n few
minutes q policeman might appear
.. aud after few vigorous thumps on
the window a sleepy voice within
shouted:
"G'wan away. you scamp. Lave de-
cent people sleep"
"Ferguson. Ferguson! hurry aud
, let me In"
"Who are you ihrn"
Capt. Lawyer. Come quickly. for
am nearly frozen"
"Ali right. captain. Ne old woma,
will unlock the door for you In min
ute"
For heavens sake, Ferguson, don;
let your wife come near the door. Cone
yourself, and hurry"
There was sincerity In this appeal
and when Ferguson appeared b,
saw the force Of II. Lawyer dit mo-
charge Ferguson's laugh up agains'
, him. lie admitted that his appearance
and his explanation of II might seen
humorous To Others. II didn't TAX,
him long to climb up to his Hat, nn,
when Ferguson unlocked the door foi
: him the captain said:
"There Is as much as ten dollars II
this for you, Ferguson, II you will keel
quiet about II. I don't care for my
' self, but please respect the feelings q
, that dear young woman on the toI
: floor. II she knew that man wcarln,
> only q nightshirt had preceded her uI
: those stairs and witnessed from tn,
roof her lingering good.bys she woul,
very naturally be embarrassed. Yo'
: understand@
= '.Sure!" said Ferguson.
Capt. Lawyers cuckoo clock wa
striking two rs he entered his bed
G room. The belated maid who ha,
o seen him spread the report that vii,
man or a spook was loose at night II
! the neighborhood, and within u cay
c dozen other women alleged that the.
had seen him. Capt, Lawyer made
confession two weeks ago, and from |
y was obtained this story. Every tim
he thinks OF the roof Of his apartmen
II house he has been forced To tako
g high ball to restore his nerves. and /,
avoid any repetition OF this experience
o he has gone 10 his club To sleep whe,
). he found that he could not reach HON
, before ~. Ferguson now turns ou