The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-05-14
In Durance Vile.
BY Homer Johnson.
Copyright, 100, by Homer Johnson.

An up to date Ratfies had struck the
countryside and was having things all
his own way. Owners of villas armed
themselves against him. and country
eonstables watched the highways, but
Rafies escaped detection and contin-
ned his unlawful way. The male pop
ulation for ten miles around could see
no romance In his doings and threaten
ed to shoot him on sight. AS nat
ural result. the women, and more espe-
clally the young ladies. made hero
Of him and declared that 1t was the
most romantic thing they bad ever
heard Of.
Rayensrest had not yet received
visit from the gentlemanly robber.
Fred Long. son of the widow and
owner OF the villa and Its acres, rea-
soned 1t out that Raffles had heard of
him, his firearms and his eternal Wig
lance The mother hoped the rascal
would not come, but expected him
Nightly. The daughter. Judith, who
had inst turned twenty, vas nervous
and heroic by turns. and 1t was left
Tor Aunt Martha TO fret and worry
and wake UP dozen times every night
shaking with fear. She had few
mining bonds In her trunk. also few
pieces Of ancient jewelry, and after
the robberles began she was insistent
upon going to the city to place her
valuables in safe deposit. A start was
made one morning, accompanied by
the widowed sister and Fred. and they
were hardly on their way when things
began to happen.
Judith didn't care TO make one of
the party and was therefore left be-
bind TO swing in her hammock and
.ead the latest novel. She had just be-
zone Interested in Its pages when along
came Constable Drew, who was sup
posed to hold all the clews thus far
gathered and 10 be hot on the trail of
dozen more. He stopped his buggy
10 announce:
well, that fellow got into wilkin-
sons last night and fairly cleaned out
lie place, though there were three
men and two dogs keeping watch. I'm
not after him,and expect to get him
before night. II any suspicious charac-
.ers should be seen sneaking around
nere. hope you will let me know. This
here Rallies spots off his houses in the
daytime and enters them at night
IS the constable logged along and
Ruth returned to her book young
man who looked as much like Rallies
as anybody else came saunterlng along
tile turnpike from the depot and had
approached within quarter OF mile
OF the house. Soon after leaving the
depot he met old Mr.. Jones and asked
his way to the Agnew place. Mr.. Jones
had been deaf for forty years, but
pride prevented his admitting his ail-
ment. He didn't know whether he had
been asked who was governor Of the
state or II the tomato crop promised
good yield; but, wanting IL &c civil, he
told the inquirer to turn in ut the first
drive he came to on the left. The PEE
destrlan came TO drive on his left
and turned in under the old walnut
trees.
He didn't act like man who was
expecting to see anybody in particular.
From tile front of the house, after gaz-
ing for five minutes, he passed to the
rear and then walked slowly along to
the stables and the garage. 1t was
then that one of the maids came run
ming across the lawn to Miss Judith
and gasped out:
ITS that Rallies, and we shall all
have our Threats cutF'
who whatF' was the exclamation
as the young lady tumbled out OF the
hammock In her haste.
II saw him when he came in. He's
been spotting or the house, as your
brother calls it. He's gone now to spot
Oh the barns. He wants a horse and
buggy to take his plumber away. Just
to think that we must all have our
throats cut from ear to ear in broad
daylight Shall l bring you one OF
your brothers guns?'
Yves, but l never fred a gun. Per
haps the sight OF it will scare him.