The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-08-23
Observation-Disclosures
LOVE AND THE |:
LOCKSMITHS.
Observation-Disclosures
BY MARTHA COBB SANFORD.
Copyrighted, 1907. by NJ. NJ. Cunningham.

Iipped aTouuI Tue corner IRON tne
fashionable avenue where she Lived
to the Gingy little side street. with its
miniature shops and pretentious signs.
Yes. 1t still hung there between
cigar shop and secondhand store-a
mammoth yellow key. She had seen
1t many time. That must mean
locksmith, and a locksmith was for
her at that crucial moment most essen
tial. for Agatha had locked herself out.
But the locksmith's door refused to
bulge. Then piece Of paper stuck
Ia the inside OF the door frame caught
Agatha's attention.
"Out. Will return at 6 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 a business friend with him.
II was hard enough, heaven knows. to
have the maid take French Tor, more
truthfully speaking, SCOTCH leave that
very morning and courageous enough,
Agatha knew. to plan to get the din
ner herself so as not to disappoint her
father. but 10 be locked out of the
house at the eleventh hour and to find
the locksmith out into the bargain
this was a crisis for tears.
A young man stepped out of the
neighboring cigar shop just in time to
see Agutha's handkerchief make lit
tie dab at each OF her moist blue eyes.
"Can be Of service to youF' he
asked gallantly.
I'm afraid not. thank YOU" Agatha
replied. checking her momentary dis
play of emotion.
But the young man was so politely
SOLICITORS that Agatha. in her distress.
explained her dilemma. ending her ex-
PLANTATION with. And the locksmitll,
you see. has the reconsideration to be
out
well. we can overcome that diff
Guilty easily eno3gh." was the young
mans cheerful response. You see.
know the man who keeps the cigar
store here v"rT well. and l can get
throug'l his Shop into the locksmith's.
Just wait infinite"
Agatha waited and soon the young
man reappeared. dangling a bunch Of
skeleton keys In his hand.
These will open most anything. ]
reckon he said, smiling at Agatha.
"Now. IL you'll kindly let me accom-
pany you to where you live. I'll have
the door open in a Jiffy."
lie was as good as his word. and
Agatha. actually inside Of her own
home once more. was profuse in her
expressions of gratitude.
II don't know how 10 thank you.
Mr. She stopped short and then
added naiveIy. II don't know your
name either"
BLACK" the young man prompted.
"just plain Black"
"It was an awfully white thing for
you to do. anyway" Agatha replied.
her eyes twinkIing. "And ! am under
deep obligations to you. Mr.. Black"
"Not ut ALL" answered the alleged
Mr. Black. lifting his hat as he left
The dinner went of with remark.
able smoothness. and Agatha had no
intention OF discounting the compli-
ments she received by letting her IA
Their know Of her carelessness. but
suddenly she put her hand to her belt
and exclaimed. MY watch-I've lost
&C."
Then she remembered when she had
last looked ut the time. and In flash
Il came over her that her watch had
been stolen from her by the solicitous
"Sfr. Black" She was forced 10 make
a full confession.
What sort Of looking chap was hep
inquired her father
Not ut all had looking" answered
Agatha almost dehantly: really.
rather handsome. You don't suppose
I'd let any horrid looking old thing
come to my assistance. do you?"
Tier father laughed in spite Of him
SELF.
"Eut he was n friend Of the man
thu; keeps the cigar store. you say,
and had no trouble in getting bunch
Of skeleton keys
Agatha admitted both points reluc-
family.
"IIum. bad lot" commented her ia
Their. Probably had the keys In his
pocket all the time. Come on. Balm.
bridge" he added. addressing his
guest. "you and have got TO get busy
mighty quick. Suppose we visit that
cigar store first"
Agatha. left alone. sat for awhile
tapping the toe Of her smart little
slipper on the floor. evidently puzzling
over the details Of her afternoon ad.
venture. Then she picked w book
and was endeavOring to make herself
follow the thread Of the story when
the bell rang. She Jumped up nerv.
ously and ran TO answer Il. expecting
her father and Mr. Bainbridge back
again.
When she opened the door. she gave
n little scream Of fright aud tainted.
"Nfr. Black" caught her In his arms
and then. realizing the seriousness Of
the situation. hurriedly laid her on a
couch and ran into the dining room
for n glass of water.