The Press., 1909-05-12
The Sheriff and the
 Chauffeur.
By ClARlSSA MACkE.
Copyrighted, 1908. by Associated
 Literary Press.

| Annie Jane hopped out of bed and ran to the window. Two triangular patches of light on the driveway, fol lowed by a dark bulk, betrayed the arrival of an automobile. The voices of men raised in angry altercation fioated through the open window.
 .'Oh. dear! He's caught another one" walled Annie Jane sleepily as she lighted candle and proceeded to brush her pretty brown hair.
 The mirror reflected a lovely face, full of sweetness and modesty, with soft curves and enchanting dimples. If mother was only at home to take turns with me-
 Annie JaneT' beloved voice up the stairway. You git dressed and come down. got another one or them chawfers down herer
 "Coming, father" yawned Annie Jane, buttoning herself into a little pink frock she had worn that afternoon
 When she entered the kitchen her father was sitting on corner or the table fussing with an old fashioned revolver. Beside him was shotgun.
 Every separate snowy whisker of the sheriff bristled with hostility when he glanced toward the lawbreaker whom he had captured.
 The unhappy prisoner was lounging. his chair tilted back against the wall. He was also smoking cigarette and eying his warlike captor with good natured tolerance. He jumped to his feet when he saw Annie Jane, and the cigarette performed a parabola into the coal scuttle.
 "Sit downr' roared Peter Lamson. "I reckon you don't realize you're pris- oner, young man! Now. Annie Jane" he added. turning to the girl, ''I'm go- Ing over to get the justice and have him.
 ''You better let me take you over in my car" interrupted the prisoner eagerly.
 The sheriff glared at him wrathful ly. 'YeS, and when you get me out in the road you'll run away with me just as a chawfer did with sheriff down Scuogue way! As I said, Annie Janc." he continued. turning his broad back on the prisoner and addressing his daughter I'm going to ride over to Justice Wainwright's and get him to come over If he ain't to home, I'll get Smith. But I wanted Vain wright to know I'm looking after things on the Willow road"
 ooh. I say. sheriff." said the pris- oner. withdrawing his glance from
 
 'YOu keep still. young feller!' thun- dcred Peter I.amson. unbending his figure to it's full height "Now, you understand that whatever you say will be used agin you! Do you march into that pantry. double quick!
 The chauffeur measured the sheriff with a calculating eye. At the end of lanes appealing glance. Then he bowed his head and disappeared with In the dark pantry.
 The sheriff slammed the door, locked 1t and hung the key on a convenient nail Then he opened a sliding door In the wall of the pantry
 "Now, Annie Jane, you set here in front of the little door, and if that chawfer tries to get out do you use this weapon on him! Better aim for his feet. That'll stop him quicker'n anything else" He thrust the re- volver into his daughters reluctant grasp.
 "You know I'm afraid of firearms, father" cried Annie Jane timorously. "I couldn't shoot 1t off,"
 Peter Lamson bent his head until his white whiskers brushed Annie lanes pink ear. ''It ain't loaded" he whispered hoarsely. Then, with an elaborate wink at the girl, he left the room.
 Five minutes later Annie Jane, crouched in the Boston rocker, facing the pantry, heard the rattle of wheels as her father rode out of the gate. Just then a tall clock in the corner chimed 12.
 Put the revolver on the table if you are afraid of it; won't try to escape" said reassuring voice from the pan try. Framed in the opening was the good looking face of the prisoner.
 ''If you'll promise" said Annie Jane relievedly. She placed the weapon on the table and resumed her seat.
 Father is very-very conscientious, " she murmured apologetically.
 There was a distinct chuckle from the pantry. 'I have noticed that" re- marked the chauffeur dryly.
 Father has only been a sheriff since the first of the month," she further ex- plained. You know there is a sign board down the road which says that motorists must slow down to ten miles and"
 'I'm aware of 1t. That's what hap pened to mer' ..s. ....
 "It happens to so many of them, g sighed Annie Jane. "And then father catches them and they are so rude. Some of them offer money to let them go again. They offer bribeS."
 The prisoner blushed hotly under the scorn in Annie Jane's voice.
 "What did father say when you tried to bribe him?' she asked de murely.
 He said-he said he was the only sheriff in the county that couldn't be bought" said the prisoner soberly.
 Annie Jane nodded. Father is like that" she said simply. "He sought the appointment because he believed that he had the moral courage to re- fuse a bribe. Our new justice. MT Wainwright says the lives of the peo- pie in this community shall not be en- d:lngered by the reckless driving 0 autoists. He says they shall observ the law! We have never seen MI Wainwright, but father says he's tn 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 Jan, courteously. T hope your employel will-will pay the flne."
 '"Thank yOu," said the prisonel gently.
 There was long silence after that