The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-07-13
HIS WIFE'S PRISONER
nx ACME HUNTINGTON.

copyright. 1909, by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
Mr.. and Mrs. Owens returned from
the theater at II O'Clock. They found
the light IN the hall turned low. as
they had left it. and, leaving It 50 fol
the night, as was their custom. went
upstairs They had barely turned up
the gas on the second floor when they
heard a sound below. Mr. Owens de-
seconded the staircase TO learn the
cause and at the bottom met man.
''Who are you, and what are You do
Ing hereT asked Mr.. Owens.
The man put his finger to his lips.
BE quiet" he said in whisper.
"Tbere are burglars ia the house"
"But you-how did you get in2'
Il am a policeman IN plain clothes.
I came IN through the same window
as the burglars"
Mrs Owens, fearing some danger to
her husband. followed him downstairs
and asked what was the matter
Burglars whispered her husband.
EkEAt hStNNhct W. oAdAA al hN
murdered
mot while I'm here. madam said
the policeman. @and If youlI only keep
quiet III bag them all Go upstairs
and leave them to me-
Mrs. Owens ran upstairs as fast as
she could 60. Mr. Owens would have
remained below to assist In the cap.
lures but hts wife called him and
threatened 70 go down again IL he
didn't come up. The policeman told
him to go aud keep her quiet. SO Mr..
Owens followed his wife upstairs and
into her bedroom. where she locked
him IN with her and took the key out
OF the lock.
Mr. Owens remained comparatively
passive for some ten minutes, occa-
sionally listening. Hearing muificd
sounds below and not liking the idea
Of the contemplate position be occu-
pied. be demanded the key 81 the bed
room door Of his wife. that he might
60 down to see what was going on
and take part in 1t II necessary. Mrs
Owens terror stricken at such an
event and fearing that her husband
would take the key by force. rushed
to the window. lifted the sash and
threw the key out. Mr.. Owens uttered
an exclamation Of dissatisfaction. but
could do nothing lie was locked In.
Under such circumstances one will
often do something ridiculous, Mr.,
Owens leaned ont Of the window and
looked down through the gloom for
the key. He heard in stage whisper
from below 'Histp
"Who are your asked Owens.
"A neighbor OF yours ! think there
are burglars in your house."
"There are. but there Is plain
clothes man after them"
aren't you going down to help?"
I'D like to, but my wife objects"
"H'm. / don't think my wife would
keep me upstairs with burglars in the
house."
Nor mine either II could help my
self. She locked the door and threw
the key out Of the window. ! wish
you would look for 1t and toss it back
Not /. If you should get shot your
wife would never forgive me-"
what the dickens am | to do? I'm
locked up here like kid ia anursery.
What pickle for full grown mani
II you don't mind I'd like you TO go
in and see the condition OF things"
mo, thanks. I've got a wife and
Ave kids at home. I'm not going to
buck up against the revolvers Of pro
fessional burglars to save the properly
Of those who lock themselves In. Be
sides, II the police are on to the matter
there's no need Of any one else taking
It up. Good night. I'm going home
just thought I'd step over and tell
you my suspicious"
This dialogue was carried on In
quick whispers between the two men.
the neighbor being almost invisible
The neighbor disappeared. Then, after