Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-05

and. taking the lamp. stumbled down the
narrow steps
In another moment there came stitied ex-
clamation from below. Calendon dashed down
terror.
SUDDENLY. up stairs. where Astro had
~ momentarIly remained, there was heard
the sound of footsteps. Then a gruff voice
broke out.
I've got you fellers now! I've tracked
YOU for five days. and now. by hickey I'll
make you pay for it! You'll never snatch
another body, curse you!"
voice rang steadily Throw up your hands
and drop that gun! You're pretty character
to call names! l think you'll show up well
when your Investigated! Constable Jenkins.
BY Jovei It's the coroner" said the con-
stable, appearing in the doorway.
is there body here?" the coroner in
qured
Yes-why2" Now Calendon appeared.
most puzzled and alarmed of all.
It's all right Mr.. Calendon, were on their
trail now!" said Astro
Calendon groaned.
But YOUR boy is safe and unmutilated. I
have suspected this long time: but | didn't
dare let you hope. Now, coroner tell your
story"
the constable, it's this way. i'm. | was
comm along the road last Friday with my
outfit an three of them poorhouse folks's
bodies, yknow. an blamed if the hind axle
didn't break short off about mile up back
O. here. had to walk clean back to Joe
Millers house for scantn' to prop up the
axle with. an | was gone about three quarters
of an hour. When | come back | see one o
the collins was gone.-th little one.-a boy
it was. An l see the axle had been sawed
half through with hack saw. Somebody
had laid for me just to steal that
And will you please explain. said Astro
Suavely, why YOU were buryIng these bodies,
for which you are paid by the township. at
night"
The coroner's face fell oh, was too busy
day times" he said lamely.
a think it had best be looked into.
stable | can see where our friend the coroner
makes a very pretty little income from the
medical students, and does the town out of
few burials occasionally. But must go on.
Mr.. Calendon. l had hoped that the boy .
was here. We must hurry to the other house.
It's mile away. Well take your rig. coroner.
while you attend to the remains in the cellar"
THE three men hurried outdoors. and the
constable drove at breakneck pace to Miss
castings house. Arrived there. they knocked
loudly, and. there being no immediate answer.
the constable entered.
Calendon followed close behind. Harold!
Harold he called loudly.
There was no reply: but door slammed
up stairs and a pattering OF feet was heard.
Calendon fairly floundered up and threw open
the door There was still no one IN sight; but
a tumbled bed showed where some had
lain. A boys clothes were scattered about
the room, few playthings the floor.
Astro, who had followed the fathers
heels. made directly for a closed door and
wrenched it open. There sat little boy in
his red flannel nightgown. caressing large
glass Jar of jam His round chubby cheeks
stained with strawberry
Then, before his father could reach for him
in exultation, the child exclaimed joyfully,
Il don't care. liked it. and | looked it, and
Gated it, and don't care, DON'T!
And after the frightful strain that had been
on the three men who gazed down at the boy,
they all broke into a hearty laugh.
1t was Harold Calendon, and he per-
fectly happy.