The Washington herald., 1907-10-21
LOVE AND THE LOCKSMITHS
By MARTHA COBB SANFORD.

Agatha, lifting her skirts daintiIy trip
ped around the corner from the fashion
able avenue where she lived, to the dingy
little side street with its miniature shops
and pretentiOus signs.
les, il still hung there between a cigar
shop and a secondhand store-a nam
moth yellow key. She had seen it many
time. That must mean A Iocksmith.
and a locksmlth was for her at that cru
cial moment most essential. For Agatha
had locked herself out
But the lOcksmith's door refused 20
bulge Then a piece Of paper stuck in
the inside Of the door frame caught
Agatha's attention
out VIII return at p. m.," she
read. with dismay
She looked at her little chatelaine
watch. It was 5:35. In half an hour her
father would be home to dinner. bringing
q business friend with him. Il was hard
enough, heaven knows, to have the maid
take French (oT more truthfuIly speak
ing, SCOTCH leave that very morning
and courageous enough, Agatha knew
to plan TO get the dinner herself so as not
20 disappont her father; but 20 be locked
out Of the house at the eleventh hour
and tn find the locksmith out into the
bargain-this was q crisis for tears.
a young man stepped out Of the neigh
boring cigar shop just in tome 10 see
Agatha's handkerchief make a little dab
AT each Of her moist blue eyes.
can be Of service TO you?" he asked.
CALAMITY.
I'm afraid not, thank you," Agatha
replied checking her m0meutaTy display
OF emotion.
But the young man was so politely So
fictitious that Agatha, IN her distress, ex-
planned her dilemma, ending her ezplana-
ton with, And the loCksmith. you see.
has the reconsideration TO be out"
We'll, we can overcome that difficulty
easily enough" was the young mans
cheerful response. You see, know the
man who keeps the cigar store here very
well, and I can get through his shop into
the locksmith's. Just wait a minute"
Agatha waited, and then the young
man reappeared, dangling a bunch Of
skeleton keys il his hand.
These will open most anything. 7
reckon" he said, smiling at Agatha.
Now, II you'll kindly let me accompany
you to where you live, III have the door
open in a jiny."
He was as good as his word, and
Agatha, actually inside her own home
once more, was pTofuse in her express
slons Of gratitude.
4 don't know how to thank you, Mr..
--'' she stopped short, and then added.
naively. don't know your name, eth
er."
Black" the young man prompted.
Just plain Black"
1T was an awfully white thing for you
to do, anyway" Agatha replied. her eyes
twinkling. And I am under deep obli-
cations TO you. Mr. Black"
Not at ALL answered the alleged Mr..
Black, lifting his hat as he left.
The dinner went off with remarkable
smoothuess, and Agatha had no inten-
ton Of discountlng the compliments she
received by letting her father know Of
her carelessness; but suddenly she put
her hand TO her belt and exclaimed. NV
watch-Tve lost it."
Then she remembered when she had
last looked at the time, and in a flash
II came over her that her watch had
been stolen from her by the solicitous
Mr.. Black" She was forced to make
a full confession.
What sort Of looking chap was he?"
inquired her father
Not at all bad looking" answered
Agatha, almost defantly. Really, rather
handsome. You don't suppose I'd let
any horrid looking old thing come 10 my
assistance. do your"
Her father laughed in spite Of himself.
But he was a friend Of the man that
keeps the cigar store, you say, and had
no trouble in getting a bunch OF skeleton
keys?'
Agatha admitted both points reIuc-
family.
Hum, bad lot" commented her father.
Probably had the keys in his pocket all
the time. Come on. Bainbridge," he add
ed, addressing his guest, ''yoI and have
got 10 get busy mighty quick. Suppose
we visit the cigar store first"
Agatha, left alone, sat for a while tan
ping the toe of her smart little slipper. on
the floor, evidently puzzling owe. the de-
tails of her afternoon adventure. Then
She picked up q book and was endeav-
0ring to make herself follow the thread
Of the story when the bell rang. She
jumped up nervOusly and ran to answer
it, expecting her father and Mr.. Balm
bridge back again.
When she opened the door she gave a
little scream Of fright and tainted. ''AIr
Black caught her in his arms and then.
realizing the seriousness of the situation
hurTiedly laid her on a couch and ran
into the diniRg-TOOm for a glass of water. /
As soon as Agatha revived sufficiently |
She screamed Thief at the top of her /
voice
AS Il in providential answer to her cry, !
a key clicked in the lock Of the outside /
door and Agatha, hearing her fathers |