Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-08-02

ne 0eSCt1DeQ. luo IhEiuci Soiu Nv oA"
not. and the man In the buggy drove
on.
When night came and the family IL
the house had gone to bed. looked
about the house and, returning. In
formed the couple that the coast was
clear. Before leaving they both ex-
pressed their gratitude to me with
tears in their eyes. The man begged
me to go to the bridge the next day.
secure the valise and bring 1t to my
room to keep for its owner till 1t should
be called for. was fattered by the
confidence reposed in me and MADE
the desired promise. With this the
girl flung her arms around my neck
and kissed me. Then ! put out the
light. and. all of us moving on tiptoe.
l led them out into the starlight. They
started of in a direction away from
where we had been In the morning.
Then went upstairs to my room.
not only feeling that fine breach had
been made In the monotony Of my lie.
but that | had done what ] could TO
right a great wrong. l lay awake TOT
some time thinking Of the pair pur-
suing their way through the darkness
and sincerely hoped they would be so
far away before morning that pursuit
would avail nothing.
For my walk the next morning had
an object. | would 60 to the bridge.
secure the valise hidden there. bring
It to my room and keep 1t locked In
NV closet. There Is something fasci-
mating in possessing such a secret and
especially so III having treasure com
mitted to ones keeping. ! wondered
what was the value of the bonds to
which the man had referred. resolv'
ed to make an inventory OF everything
the valise contained in order that there
should be no doubt about the exact
amount for which | was responsible.
| was rather glad the young girl had
held OIL to her jewels. There was
trifie more responsibility even in the
bonds than would, under less inter
esting circumstances. have cared To
take.
On reaching the bridge looked
about me and listened to make sure
no one was near to observe my move
ments. then went down and thrust
NV arm back into pocket where ]
had seen the man put the valise.
No yaise was there!
l confess I was somewhat surprised
When they left me they had moved
away from the bridge. They must
have changed their minds and return
ed. Or had the treasure been discov
cred?
Reluctantly | left the place and was
walking I'D the incline when ! heard
voice:
Hands up"
Not having been used to this order
| was gaping around to discover where
the voice came from when Il bullet
followed quickly by a report. sang
over nv head. This admonishcd me
as to the meaning Of the words. pu'
my hands above my head.
A man with drawn revolver ad
yanced from behind Il tree and clap
ped n pair Of handouts on me.
"Will you kindly inform me. SIR
asked, what this means"
1T means that you were looking FOL
the swag captured before daylight yes
terday morning in the til Nationa
bank. suppose some Of your pals
have taken It."
do you mean to tell me-" | ex
claimed, that that clipping couple were
bunk robbersf"
II don't know what you mean by al
clipping couple. but two cracksmen dis
guised az old men were given the plum
der. They afterward changed theil
disguise to represent young man anf
Il girl"
Great heavens" muttered to my
self. was that creature who was too
virtuous to be going about unmarried
with her lover a man?'
1t was even so. had been harborini
two desperate criminals who had go
away with $4,000 in bank bills. Al
to the girls" jewels. they were Q
myth. spent several days in the care
of the police. but finally on proving my
responsibility was released. The cou
pie | had harbored were later on cap
tured with The swag on them.
returned to the city, having hat
quite enough Of my doctors methoc
for regaini"- my health. At any rate
did NOT cnre to try again.