Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-20
DAILY SHORT STORY
A HUSBAND CATCHER.
TOriginal

CAV DON -lldl Is. OL Il IGChAtSS. COn-
viviaI nature Many were the warn
Ings L received that / would come TO no
good end, but they were all unheeded
till at last received one that changed
the whole course of my life.
Going home one night after late
supper. l climbed the stone steps of
my home. put my key in the lock of the
front door, opened the door and en-
tered the hall The light in the hall
was turned very low. 1t was always
left for me when l was out. and, after
depOsiting my hat and coat in the
closet, turned it out and started up
10 my room when suddenly from some
where on the ground floor came the
voice OF a young girl
stop
Now. there was no girl ia the family,
not even Il servant, for our only do
nestle was woman of fifty, with an
Irish brOgue Curious TO know what
the voice meant. 1 went into the living
room and listened. 1t was pitch dark
and as silent as the tomb There was
something grewsome in that silence. l
certainly had heard a voice. and there
was but one explanation-that it vas
from the dead. Suddenly it commenc-
ed again. coming from a rear room.
You cannot harm me-"
What astonished me most was that il
should be supposed that any one would
want To harm person with so sweet
and childlike a voice.
MY innocence Is my protection" the
voice went on. Change your life. be
come guileless and no one can harm
you
The first question that arose in my
mind was whether ! had lost my rea-
gone daft. l was in no mood to speak
TO this spiritual being. not because |
was frightened. for l was too we'll
braced with champagne to be fright
ened at anything. but l could not make
out who was talking to me.
ON the mantel is a vase" the voice
said after brief silence, "in which
you will find SO. Take the money,
go away and live better life"
LUIS Silis " III must I've IiibinE III Allt
other room. had evidently mistaken me
for a burglar. But who was she and
how did she come into our house:
fancied a terror stricken miss in wrap
per and curl papers crouching in the
back room endeavoring to get rid of Il
rObber 10y preaching and bribery. She
seemed to he firing her words AT inter
walls
You had a mother. She may be liv-
ing now. Think how it would wiring
her heart to think of her dear boy a
thief and a robber."
MY little girl" | said my words
We're slightly run together from the
wine ! had drunk-'if you'll permit me
TO come in there and turn up the light
I'll show you that I'm no robber, but
young man In evening dress"
l waited for reply. | must give her
time to collect her faculties, for de
spite her calmnesS she must he very !
much frightened. Her answer came at
last:
1T Is drink that ruins so many young |
men. Doubtless drink has ruined you"
Not vet" l replied. Il wouldn't be |
the worse for another bottle now But |
ChOhEb VI iiiiN- III SOihE W Ithl out !
who you are. Don't be frightened. |
won't hurt you"
l struck a match, lit the gas and |
stood astouished. BY the furniture I'm !
the room l knew l was in strange |
house. Between pOrtieres l could look |
into a back room, and there on table
stood phonograph. l saw # all |
Quick as Il fash | turned off the gas.
stepped Oh tiptoe into the hall. and as
| passed out the front door the phOno-
graphic miss said sweetIy:
Think how happy shall be at hav-
ing saved a human soul"
| lived in n block of ten houses all
alike aud was constantly trying to get
into any of them that | miStook for II
my own. This was the first instance
in which my key happened TO At an
other lock
/ was going into my house one after |,
nOOu soon after this espisode when | Il
saw very pretty girl mounting the
steps OF one Of the houses In the block 4
three doors from mine. Before enter
ing she called 'GOOdby" TO a friend L
who had left her. / recognized the
voice | had heard on the night Of my /
hOusebrea king.
'Phonograph," / cried.
The girl started and turned. |;
Think how happy ! shall be at hav-
lug saved a human SOUL / said loud !;
enough for her TO hear
Then we both smiled
That same evening / sent In my card
and received an explanation. She lived
with an Old maid aunt who was terri
bly, afraid of burglars The aunt had
bought photograph. into which she
and her niece had talked alternately,
with view TO induce any intruder to 4
90 away. The instrument Was wound
md set going when they went to bed
and wonld run ill dawn. / had hap I
pened i'm while the niece's voice was |
words OF warning. c
And so I was saved from a life of 4
self indulgence for one of usefulness. !
hou0b the warning nhopoo-rarbg, ! q