Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1911-04-27

there. FOR an hour. She SAID II Was
tor fresh air; tsttle-tale said that Q
determined young man could reach
the roof by climbing the big oak tree
growing 50 near the wall.
Miss Wells compressed her lips: she
would see to It; she did see to Il.
Old Thomas was set TO watch at
night, but he sncozed the hours away.
His old watch dog took his place, and
was found dead Of old age the very
next morning.
An, she had It at lastl She would
20 upon the roof herself and catch the
criminals red-handed. She was 9 lit.
tie old to be eating around on house
roofs at night, but the honor OF the
Wells school was ct stake.
The second night after tattle-tale
had given things away was beautiful
summers night. It was q night for
cats and lovers to prowl. An hour
before midnight found Miss Wells
stealing UP the scuttle ladder and out
on the roof. She was there to watch
that tree. Yes, one Of its limbs ac-
tually overhung the roof. II would BE-
no feat at all for q determined young
man. Miss Wells was scantily dressed.
Her scant hair was hanging down
around her neck. and she was bare
footed in her slippers.
The watcher had been at her post
nearly an hour when something hap
pened. She thought she heard some
one in the tree. and in shifting her
position she, lost her grip and went
rolling down the steep roof until O.
chimney brought her up. She was
safe from further fall, but she must
get back to her place. A cat could
have done 1t, but, alas, she was not q
cat. She was only an old maid with
shaky nerves. She wouldn't have
tried that climb for a thousand dol
lars. II she called out who would
hear her? II she waited until day
light eavansI
And then she looked up to see the
figure Of man above her Some
thing told her that It was the deter
mined young man with Che scar on
his chin. In addition, he told her so
himself. He was very cool about It.
After gazing down at her for three
or four minutes he asked:
'aow are you going TO get up
aeainr'
young man, I'll have you arrested
for burglary"
"You can't. There's no breaking
and entering in climbing tree"
what are you here fort"
ITO get you out Of scrape, II you
are sensible. II not you'll be left for
people to gaze at in the morning.
About 600 hands in the shoe factory
can overlook this roof. and you are
not dressed for company"
en- scream for belpl"
."And have 1t in the papers that you
were sneaking around on the roof at
midnight No. my dear Miss Wells;
your way is the quiet way. Imagine
reporter sitting here in my place and
you'll Imagine the head
lines in the papersl Imagine him to-
king snapshot at you BY fiaahlightl"
eAre you the young man Miss Kelly
wanted to marry"
~she wanted to, and she wants to |
yet rm here tonight to help her down
the tree. We are going to elope.
have a rope here. and ] have : pro
posal to make"
! aYesY"
let her seemingly start for home
IN the morning with her trunk FL
take care Of the rest II you won't
agree. down the tree We 50, and you !
are len right whsre you arelh
Miss Wells gaspsd out sneFerF
ana added that she would pt1Igh nrgt, !
but when The young man n,Ansd 70
aide The scuttle and signal 20 Miss |
Jean, things changed She gave her !
solsmn word and was pulled uD g /
tsen A. Hhs started her o. on pre- |
tsuss q sickness 1t h0nis. md q he /
riII vhs ready 70 depart ne whispsf
ed "a Der ears
II fou nsver, never, never ~ aly
thing about this IN aiwnyp Nv that
Il I ever marry any nan 4 vill he .
determined youne nan Vho known
rfrt - 4antsl-
r..roal.s Aslsas s...n raunas.