The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-01-21
anngered by the reckless driving OF

other point of view" said Annie Jane
courteously. II hope your employer
will-will pay the fine"
Thank you" said the prisoner
gently.
There was long silence after that,
broken now and then by the dropping
of coal into the CRATE OF the cooking
stove. Annie Jane was observing the
leathern cap and goggles and huge fur
coat flung across 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 rule, the prisoners were dusty
and grimy, with oily hands blackened
and discolored. They were of every
nationality and temperament, but one
and all coneurred In that they were
unjustly detained.
This young man. howe er, had
clean cut. clever face. with a deter
mined jaw and keen blue eyes. He
was an American; his hands were
brown and strong and we'll kept. An
ME Jane liked good hands.
Suddenly she uttered little Shrek
and tucked her feet under her ruttled
skirts.
The prisoner shifted his gaze from
her charming face to the bright rag
carpet What is the matter?" he
queried
Such a horrid rat. quavered Annie
Jane, pointing to where small, gray
body slid along the floor
Give me the revolver and I'll pot
him." he suggested eagerly.
mo, oh, no; can't let you out" sob
bed Annie Jane Historically.
'Nonsensei I'm not going to have
you frightened to DEATH" retorted the
prisoner authortatiyely.
Il am afraid of it--but | promised to
keep you locked up. l cannot break
my word,' murmured Annie Jane, with
an attempt at valor.
Once when she WAS little child Il
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 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 word he
seized a poker. There was q rush of
CT 11n nd
The door opened and closed.
The chauffeur washed his hands at
the sink. II shall return to the pantry
now he began, when the outer door
opened again and the harsh voice Of
the sheriff doomed through the house
Annie Jane sprang to her feet
whittier, if possible, than before.
He's locked in the pantry, justice,
and Annie James been a-watching
him. said Peter Lamson triumphantly.
Mr. 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, Wainwrightr he cried 80
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, I supposed Now,
Miss Annie Jane, have out the prison
er, and We'll each land him a heavy
fine, eh, Wainwright2'
Justice Wainwright swept the room
In keen glance that noted Peter Lam
sons chagrined face and the pitiful
entreaty in Annie James eyes.
Sorry, sheriff. It's all my fault, but
your prisoner has escaped" he said
carelessly.
"Shucksr' exploded Peter Lamson,
with sincere relief
Your treat. sheriff" laughed Smith
comfortably. LET 1t be some of that
old russell cider I'll go down with you
and hold the lamp.
When the discounted sheriff had pre-
coded Smith down the cellar stairs, the
late prisoner approached Annie Jane,
who stood disconsolately before the
stove.
you were very kind, indeed, Mr.
Wainwright, she stammered with en-
barrassment. II 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" 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 itp'
Annie James eyes dropped before the
warmth in his gaze, but she made no
reply.
Il don't believe-he escaped, after
ALL" unused Wainwright thoughtfully.
And subsequently 1t was proved that
he did not.
Sarcastic.
Hubert Henry Davies the plaV-