The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1910-11-24


washhouse and with some difficulty
pushed open the small sliding window.
don was lying on the floor. his head
resting dejectedly across his naws.
When she emptied the plate before him
two sorrowful eyes were lifted he
seemingly to her face Then as no
ate he wagged his tail in gratitude
Fearing the effect of commiserat ion
she disguised Der feelings and spoke
cheeringly to him. then quickly with
drew. But if Tom had not carried the
key away In his pocket she would
have defied him and liberated the pris-
oner. She thought Of the ak; it would
be an easy matter to break the lock.
but she could well guess the result of
such an act on Toms quick temper,
and she did not wish to provoke
quarrel.
Returning to the house. she first
busted herself with some mending;
then she took up an unfinished novel
and in following the fortunes of the
heroine the short afternoon slipped
rapidly by.
CHANGING at the clock, she saw it was
nearly time for her husband to return,
so she laid the book down and went
to start the kitchen fire. This was
scarcely completed when the outside
door was thrown open almost in her
face. Looking up. she saw burly. I'M
cOuth man standing before her. There
was a threatening CLEAN in his beady
eyes as he approached. saying:
Get me all the money you have in
the house. and get it quick"
Helen shrank back terrified and tried
to elude him by running into the din
ing room. but the tramp headed her
off. Dodging past him. she caught up
the rolling pin and brought it down up
Then, frightened at what she had done.
she said:
do not touch me, and I'll get you
my purse"
Maddened by the blow. he made a
lunge toward her and caught her arm
just in time to prevent the weapons
descending upon his head.
She struggled to free herself. but he
held her fast in a viselike grip.
Grabbing the coil of clothesline from
its hook, he bound her fast to chair.
you'll stay right here" he Kissed.
savagely gritting his teeth. I'll help
myself. Can't trust you"
In her terror she uttered shrek after
shrek, still continuing her frantic
struggles. Had the fellow been less
intent on what he was doing he might
have been conscious Of furious up
roar in the washhouse, for the faith
full Don, hearing the screams of his
adored mistress, was barking and
plunging about distractedly. =
"Quit yer screechin'," ordered the
man, striking Helen brutal blow,
which, together with the fright, ZEN
dered her unconscious. Leaving her
thus, he began his search. .
In a drawer Of the dresser he found
q small roll Of bills-her chicken mon
ey. This he thrust into the bosom OF
his dirty flannel shirt. while her purse.
found in the bedroom. together with
the best silver. he tied up in a soiled
red handkerchief.
AS he hurried from the house he
chuckled triumphantly as he noticed
that the woman was still unconscious.
His hand was already on the gate
when vengeance overlook him in the
guise of huge hairy creature. With
q bound Don was upon him and bore
him to the ground, where he lay
swearing fuently, but entirely at the
dogs mercy. At the least movement
on the, part of the thief the vigilant
keeper. with warning growl. dis
played his teeth. giving an occasional
sharp nip as reminder Of what would
follow if escape was attempted.
AS Tom Wentworth drove leisurely
home he realized that it had been
very unsatisfactory Thanksgiving.
First, he had refused an invitation to
dine with his parents. preferring to be
alone with his wife, whom he had
made unhappy by his severity to her
pet.
He had decided to release the, dog
and beg Helen's pardon when he came
upon this surprising tableau: A brawny
/ tramp PROSTATE on the ground, guard
ed by Don himself. but a much d.
sheveled Don. scratched and bleeding.
albeit stanchly vigilant.
One glance at the broken glass and
wrecked window frame sufficed to ex-
plain his release. With an imperative
Guard him, Donw Wentworth rushed
into the house.
The remorseful man found Helen
just recovering consciousness. a dis
colored spot made by the villains fist
showing the cause of her swoon. With
trembling fingers he united the rope.
placed her on a couch and tenderly
bathed her face and hands.
When she was fully recovered he re-
turned to the yard and. taking horse
whip, ordered the tramp to stand up.
While Don crouched on the alert to
prevent escape Tom proceeded to ad-
minister a sound thrashing. the dog
watching operations with obvious ap-
prevail. The thief was then taken to
the washhouse and bound securely
| with the same cord he had used and
later turned over to the proper authori-
ties to be dealt with according to law.
With due contrit1on Tom petted Don.
washing off the blood and dressing the