The Press., 1909-02-24

i the appointment because ne Deneve0 that he had the moral courage to re- fuse bribe. Our new justice, Mfr Wainwright. says the lives of the peO- pie 'n . community shall nat t@ en- dangered by the reckless driving of autoists. He says they shall observe the lawi We have never seen MT. Wainwright, but father says he's the right man in the right place."
 The prisoner smiled somewhat grimly.
 "Of course you look at it from an- other point of view" said Annie Jane courteously. "I hope your employer will-will pay the flne."
 Thank you" said the prisoner gently.
 There was a long silence after that, broken now and then by the dropping of coal into the grate of the cooking stove. Annie Jane was observing the leathern cap and goggles and huge fur coat flung across a chair. Somehow the prisoner in the pantry did not seem to be like the majority of motorists whom the conscientious sheriff cap tured in the night watches. As a rule, the prisoners were dusty and grimy, with oily hands blackened nationality and temperament, but one and all coRcurred in that they were unjustly detained.
 This young man, however, had a clean cut, clever face, with . deter mined jaw and keen blue eyes. He was an American: his hands were brown and strong and we'll kept. An nie Jane liked good hands.
 Suddenly she uttered a little shrlek and tucked her feet under her ruffled | skirts.
 The prisoner shifted his gaze from her charming face to the bright rag carpet. ''What is the matter?" he Queried.
 "Such horrid ratT' Quavered Annie Jane, pointing to where c small, gray body slid along the floor.
 "GIve me the revolver and I'n pot him." he suggested eagerly.
 No, oh, no; I can't let you out," sob bed Annie Jane hysterically.
 "Nonsense! I'm not going to have you frightened to death," retorted the prisoner authorftatively.
 "I am afraid of It-but promised to keep you locked up. cannot break my word" murmured Annie Jane, with an attempt at valor.
 Once when she was a little child a rat had bitten her hand, and since then the mere sight of one would send her into mysteries.
 The chauffeur looked at her face, from which every trace of color had fed, and, with a muttered exclamation, he turned away from the little open ing.
 A minute later came the sound of a window being raised, and presently the prisoner walked into the room through the back door. Without a word he seized a poker. There was a rush of steps, a sharp squeak and then silence. The door opened and closed.
 The chauffeur washed his hands at the sink. "I shall return to the pantry nOw," he began, when the outer door. opened again and the harsh voice of the sheriff bOomed through the house.
 Annie Jane sprang to her feet, whiter, if possible, than before.
 He's locked in the pantry, justice, and Annie Jane's been a-watchlng himT' said Peter Lamson triumphantly.
 MT. Justice Smith, stout, rosy and jovial, withal he had been aroused from his bed, entered the room in ad- vance of the sheriff, and his genial glance alighted on the prisoner, who was calmly drying his hands on the roller towel
 Hello, Wainwrighty' he cried. "SO you got here after all. Lamson says he went over to your place, but your serv- ants said yOu were out in the machine chasing scOrchers, suppose! Now, Miss Annie Jane, have out the prison CT, and we'll each land him a heavy fine, eh. Wainwright
 Justice Wainwright swept the room in keen glance that noted Peter Lam- sons chagrined face and the pitiful entreaty- in Annie Jane's eyes.
 Sorry, sheriff. It's all my fault, but your prisoner has escaped" he said carelesSly.
 . ''Shucks!' exploded Peter LamsOn, with sincere relief.
 Your treat. sheriff." laughed Smith ~OAAAOA A%CS AL OO nOAuC Ox GAN.+ old russet cider I'll go down with you and hold the lamp.
 When the discounted sheriff had pre- ceded Smith down the cellar stairs, the late prisoner approached Annie Jane, who. stood discOnsOlately before. the stove.
 'tYou were very kind, indeed, MT. Wainwright" she stammered with em- barrassmeDt.. "I know father will be hurt and mortified to realize he has made such a blunder-that he treated you so unkindly."
 You were very kind to the prisoner, Miss Annie. Jane,"2' said the justice, with tender note in his pleasant voice. Under those circumstances 1t was very strange that he should try to escape, wasn't tt?''
 Annie Jane's eyes dropped before the warmth in his gaze, but she made no reply.
 ''I don't believe-he escaped, after all," unused Wainwright thoughtfully.
 And subsequently it was proved that he did not.