The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-03-07

/ couldn't go around and gather up ev-
erything before brought him in 1
wouldn't have let him in at all if 1
hadn't known he was all right"
How did you come to know he was
all right7r asked Langley.
'Because,. Answered his wife, con-
elusively.
Langley, however, refused to be con-
vineed-
He felt rather nervous about leaving
his wife alone the next morning, and
borrowed Inmmer's little 2s-caIiber re-
volver, which be wanted her 10 keep by
her. But Mrs Langley said she guess
ed she would manage to get along with
out IL
Later in the day Langley was inspir-
ed by the recollection that he paid taxes
and was entitled to police protection.
He therefore called up his precinct po-
lice station and informed the captain of
his fears.
That funetionary seemed to take the
same view of the matter As Langley
did, and thought be recognized the de-
scription of the self styled carpenter,
whom he believed TO be the leader Of a
dangerous gang he assured Langley
that be would have the house watched.
When Langley returned home that
evening he saw man strolling along
on the other side of the street, looking
50 unconeerued and casual that any
body would have known be was plain
clothes man on guard.
This gave Langley a certain sense of
security, but at the same time rendered
him decidedly nervous. PIummer was
not around, or Langley would have
asked him to stay al night
Langley told his wife what the po-
lice captain had said. He was unwiI-
ling to alarm her, tut he felt that what
he called her cock snredness" needed
some rebuke.
For some reason, however, she did
not seem to be impressed, and laughed
at him in a particularly sggravating
way when he balanced tea-tray and
couple Of fiat irons against the pau
try window.
IL was about midnight when the trap
was sprung. 1t went of with crash,
elatter and bang that brought Langley
sitting bolt upright in bed, with bis
heart beating like trip hammer, be-
fore be realized what had happened.
There was an instant of awful and
profound stiffness. Then Langley heard
his wife's voice. She said:
II thought that would happen. The
cat has knocked down that arrange
ment of yours. William"
Langley deigned no reply, bat lifting
himself cautiously out of bed be groped
for his revolver, found il, and stole
softly and fearfuIly down the noisily
ereakiog stairs
He reached the pantry at last and
found his tray and the hatirons on the
floor. A cold current Of air that in
stsntly communicated its chill to bis
spinal column told him that the win
dow was open. Cautiously be peered
out.
A subdued cough came from the back
yard, and Longley drew his head back
with sUddenness that brought it into
violent contact with one Of the pantry
shelves He felt the bump later, but
hardly noticed the shock at the time.
Rsprozehiug himself for eowardiee,
he nerved himself for the effort, and
again looking out Of the window, call
ed: who's there" the pulsatiOns in
his throat imparting tremor to his
voice.
Were police officers" came the re-
ply, and two shadowy forms loOmed up
from the darkness "Sorry we disturb
ed you, but We were trying the win
dows, and knocked something over.7
Il believe you did, !" said Langley,
bitterly.
1T wasn't anybody" said Langley,
returning to his room
"What is it?'i asked bis wife, sleep
iIy. ''I wish you'd go TO bed and quit
spOoking around, William. OF course
there wasn'tanybody; knew that per-
fectly we'll"
"Fd like to know how you knew it."
said Langley, shivering beneath the
bedclothes-
I'D have told you before this If you
hadn't acted 30 smart about il, /" replied |
Mrs. Langley. II went around to the |
agents this afternoon, and he said be |
hsd sent the man around. He was just !
as nice Why, William Langley, I'd |
be ashamed -'-Chieago Daily Record.