Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-01-11
MY FRS T
CAP TUR E
By ALBERT BIcELow PAINE


upon his shoulders.
mo resistance-you,re my prisonerl'
That's So" he grunted. I'm it."
We marched toward the jail. had
been In office but a week, and was
proud of my first capture He seemed
inclined to be sociahle. III
pleasant weather we're having
now" ae. w y,
Iagreed that 1t was warm for May.
"Great thing, these electric lights"
assented TO this, too, adding that
they were protection to honest peo-
pie.
"Yes," he nodded, "the profession
hasn't much show these days"
We were at the Jail presently. l
halted In the lighted corridor, and,
pushing open a door, stood aside for
him to enter.
"This is your room Hope you'll
find 1t comfortable"
/ He looked about approvingly.
"Hm-soGthern exposure-head to
the north-very nice. thank you"
"Glad you like it Anything l can
do further?"
3 Il rise early-suppose you have me
called for my bath at seven"
was going through his well-made
clothes. He was unarmed. His pock-
cts contained little-a very little
change, and a small bunch Of anti
quated keys.
Couldn't do much with those
things" commented.
ut is rather a poor outfit" he
agreed. Lucky struck these free
lodgings. suppose I'm good here till
court SITS
"Yes-second week in September"
"Just fits in with my plans, think
I'll like it here first rate. Good night. +"
went away, grinning at his assur-
ance. There was something free and
western about 1t that appealed to me.
rose early, to have look at him
by daylight. l listened a moment at
his cell, then called through the little
grated window.
Seven o'clock" l said. "You want
ed an early CALI"
+ The cell was empty.
began to have an uncanny feeling, |
and wasted no time In getting out into
the morning sunshine. AS opened
the door at. the end Of the corridor
saw that somebody was sitting on the
step. He turned just then, and l rec
ognized him. 1t was my guest of the |
night before.
Good morning!" he greeted. ut
was pleasant outside, SO didn't wait
for my call. have been enjoying the
sunrise"
only stared at him.
by the way, your locks are rather
poor" he added. "You forgot to leave
me a key last night. but it made no
difference" II
pulled myself together.
Perhaps you'd better come in now"
suggested, "and let me 60 over you
again for those skeleton keys. ap-
preciate the fact that you didn't run
away, and want to treat you well,
but business is business. I'm the new
man here, and the public eye is upon
me-"
He'returned to his cell quite willing
ly. There was literally nothing on his
person that could discover looked
at him helplessly. He smiled-a pleas K
ant, reassuring smile, II
Don't worry" he consoled; "I'm
not likely to leave. might go farther {
and fare worse" 3 Ii
He followed quite submissively to a |
cell across the way, where there was II
lock of an altogether different pattern. e
an bring your breakfast down my
SELF" said. Don't go, please, before /
l come" and went out, carefully lock- h
ing the door. 4
Soon after went to the window and y
looked down on the wide jail yard, in C
one corner Of which was vegetable II
garden. A man was wedding one Of
the beds. Then | stood stock stu and
stared. The man In the garden was 4
my guest. v
That was my weird summer. Iii
l set myself now to solve this mys- %
tery-the secret of his power. When 0
locked him in his cell he showed noly
iesire to leave 1t so long as was near. b
Absent for moment, | would be like t.
y to hear the lawn mower, and would o
ook out to find him cutting grass. 81
/ tried friendship. had installed ii
lin as q harmless eccentric helping b
ne for his board. now proceeded to
make his stay pleasant Books, pic v
ures, q carpet and some furniture d
we're placed in his quarters and In "
Tited him to my private table. HIS re
was usually cultured and e
MT esting. but gaxe me no ,ciev IS, 10 81
IL secret. - ~ lsl
1t was during the first week Of sep-l a
ember that the cashier Of our local VI
ank fell dead one morning, Just be-
ore opening time. Then It was foundi N
hat nobody else knew the combination Il
I the safe-nobody but the president b
iho was somsWheSe IN LbndonH OF n
'AFiA .si5 -r -..s-t rs
such . MATES b Of Importance IN q .
ountry town. ! hurried over and saw 4,
be vice president ia-his pritats oflca. ;,
ala not 90 into detatlA merely told
a. All