Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-12-11
CHAPTER XXX.

ABOUT Hluo y CLOCK WHlGCC luIimALSu u
desire to 20 to bed. The woman lit
candle, and left the room, followed by
Walter. She led the way up q rough,
implanted staircase and opened the door
Of the room over the one In which they
had been 4eated.
Looking around him, Walter found
that the chamber which he had entered
was az bare a. the room below, II not
more 90. There was not even bed
stead, but In the corner there was q bed
on the floor with some ragged bedclotheS
spread over 1t.
That's where you're to Sleep" said
the woman, pointing 1t out.
Goodnight" said Walter.
She put the candle on the mantelpiece,
Tor there was no bureau or table In the
room, and went out.
This isn't a very stylish tavern, that's
q fact" thought Walter, taking a survey
Of the room. 81 shall have a hard bed,
but guess can stand it for one night"
There was something else that trou-
bied him more than the poor accOmmo-
dations. The i'll looks Of his host and
hostess had made q strong impression
upon his mind. The particular inquiries
which they had made about his success
In selling books, and their strong desire
for money, led him to feel Apprehersivs
Of robbery. He was In the heart Of the
woods, far away from assistance, and at
their mercy. What could he, q boy OF
fifteen, do against their combined attack
He would have preferred to sleep in the
woods without 4 shelter, rather than
have placed himself in their power.
Under the infunce of this Apprehsn-
sion, he examined the door to see II
there was any way Of locking 1t. But
there was neither lock nor bolt. There
had been a bolt once, but there was none
now. Next he looked about the room to
see il there was any heavy article Of
furniture with which he could barricade
the door. But, as has already been
said, there was neither bureau nor table.
In fact, there was absolutely no article
Of furniture except q single wooden chair,
and that, Of course, would be Of no ser
vice.
what shall DOR thought Walter.
"That man can enter the room when
am asleep, and rob me of all my money"
Looking about the room, he noticed
closet, the door Of which was bolted on
the outside. Withdrawing the bolt, he
opened the door and looked in. 1t was
nearly empty, containing only a few
articles Of little or no value. A plan Of
operations rapidly suggested itself to Wal
ter In case the room should be entered
while he was asleep. In pursuance Of
this plan he threw a few pennies upon
the floor of the closet, and then closed
the door again. Next he drew from his
pockStboOk all the money 1t contained,
except q single nve-dollar bill. The bank
notes thus removed amounted to fifty
Ave dollars. He then drew OIL his stock
ingG, and, laying the bills In the bottom,
again put them on.
Walters feelings, a. he lay on his
hard bed on the floor, were far from
pleasant. He was not sure that an at
tempt would be made to rob him, but the
probability seemed 30 great that he could
not compose himself to sleep, Suspense
was 30 painful that he almost wished that
Jack would come up II he intended to-
He was tired, but his mental anxiety tri-
umphed over his bodily fatigue, and he
tossed about restlessly.
It was about nine o'clock when be went
to bed. Two hours passed, and still there
were no signs Of the apprehended inva'
sion. But, Ave minutes later, c heavy
step was heard upon the staircase, which
creaked beneath the weight of the mar
ascending. Jack tried to come up softly
but II creaked nevertheless.
Walters heart beat quick, as he heard
the steps approaching nearer and nearer
1t was certainly a trying moment, thai
might have tested the courage of one old
J er than our hero. Presently the dool
J opened softly, and Jack advanced stealth
J lily into the chamber, carrying a candle
which, however, was unlighted. He reck
oned upon finding Walter undressed, anC
his clothes hanging over the chair: bu
the faint light that entered through tn
J window showed him that his intended vic
tim had not removed his clothing.
The robber paused a moment, and then
STOPPING over, inserted his hand Int,
/ walters picket. He drew out the peck
etbook, Walter making no sign of beln
. aware of what was going on.
eve got it" muttered Jack, with sat
/ isfaction, and stealthily retraced his step
/ to the door. He went out, carefully clos
ing II after him, and again the step
/ creaked beneath his weight.
"I'm afraid he'll come back when b
r finds how little there Is In It," though
Walter. "If so. 1 must trust to m
E PLAN
d The door was soon again thrown oper
and Jack strobe in, bearing in his han
. a candle, this time lighted. He advance
to the bed, and, bending over. shoe
d Walter vigorously.
n whats the matterf" asked our herr
this time opening his eyes, and assumin
o look Of surprise. "Is 1t time to g
up"
ats time for you to get up. I've &
something to say to you"
i "Well." said Walter, sitting up In be-
"I'm ready"
"where'vs you put the money you ha
last nightT
~ Walter put his hand in his pocket.
at was in my pocketbook," he said
but it's gone"
"Here is your pOcketbook," said JAG
n producing 1t.
a ibid you take It out Of my poke
What made you take it7 Do you met
BIT to steal my money!"
Eyes, do: and the sooner you hand
he over the better"