La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1906-09-15

DO Yor KNOW WHAT IT Is. MISS vosEF
man sh. had seen in a lifetime because
be did not dispute her statement that
beethoven would have written ragtime
II he had known how.
When supper was announced II was
Isabel Vose who led him In triumph to
the bank parlor. in which the banquet
was spread She WAS sensible young
woman and exceedingly attractive
withal. She had passed the ultra ro-
mantle period OF young womanhood.
but she found II difficult to suppress
the rather harassing and wholly unac-
couutable Interest she was beginning
TO take In this mysterious and very
agreeable Musician During the repast
he talked much and most appreciative-
Is OF rural life and Its restfulne>s and
eapacity To supply the true musical In
SEPARATION Although he avoided the dis
cllssion Of personal matters with what
seemed 10 Isabel an exaggerated deli
cacy, she had almost persuaded herself
before they returned 10 the lodge room
that he Was n composer who had come
to Crosskhi In search Of the proper at
AaO~lflAtlf lpl " iha>h'Air 'i'At
As they were rising from the table
the professor took from the pocket Of
his low cut vest a slip OF paper and
began to unfold II. This IL something
I picked up from the floor after had
been talking with your father" he
said. handing the slip to Isabel 1t
seems to be cabalistic design OF some
sort. IL probably has some connec-
ton with the order. DO you know
what IL IL. Miss Nosey''
Yes. I do" she answered hastily.
1T belongs to my father. He must
have pulled II from his pocket with
bis handkerchief. He will I've annoyed
when confront him with tie evidence
Of his carelessness-"
Then I should advis. you to defer
the matter He seems to be enjoying
himself. and 1t would I've cruel to dis
turb him." the young man said. with
a soft laugh.
Isabel laughed a little too. Il guess
I will take your advice" she said. put
ting the slip in the belt OF her gown
and at once forgetting all about 1t.
On the way home the voses discuss
ell the professor. Mrs. vose. always
charitable to the verge OF absurlity,
startled the others by a positive dec
laration that she did not like him and
that she was afraid Of him. Her hus-
band ridieuIed her fears and protested
that the man was a genius who had
gone astray In CrosskllL Isabel with
held her opinion. IL She had one When
they arrived at home she went direct
ly TO her room. leaving her parents
still engaged In fixing the probab BILE
social status Of the stranger.
About daybreak she awoke from
distressing nightmare in which the pro-
fessor seemed to be standing over her
In threatening attitude demanding
the combina tion which would open the
banks safety vault Then she remem-
bered the slip Of paper which she had
tucked in her belt for safe keeping.
She sat up In bed afYrightedly. and the
first object that met her eye was the
piece Of paper. which lay upon the spot
where 1t had fallen when she removed
her belt.
Only a horrible DREAM she whis-
pered. with a great sigh Of relief. But.
really. papa is the one that should have
had Il. IL he will carry that combina-
ton around in his pocket he deserve
TO take the consequence
She composed herself and went to
sleep.
Nevertheless the professor robbed the
bank. With the combination in his pgs-
session and with his expert knowIeSiee
OF the ways and means OF doing such
things IT was an easy effort. When
they opened the concert xrand II
proved to be a hollow sham-po sound
ing board no strings, no anything an
pertaining to the interior Of the n~ble
instrument it simulated: only . jumbse
OF weights and ballast and burysars'
sundries. among them q comp3efe 80
OF bank looting tools and even . care
fully protected vial OF the illuminate
with whsh Professor Pierre Lucieo
Gerard had expected to achieve u
end which chance Developed - uuuA.
recte,ily and 50 .ooa-