Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-05-17

time the right arm was raised in an
attitude as II to strike. sprang out OF
bed
A chair stood beyond the door against
the wall. aud | seized 1t with view
TO raising II as weapon for de-
Tense did not do so, for my clothes
were on 1t. and. since had not been
struck. contented myself with keep
ing the chair In my grip so that
could swing II at a moments notice
stood there In The dark waiting.
saw nothing Of my enemy nor did 1
hear anything He must have hearu
me get out of bed and was doubtless
waiting for an advantage The advan.
tage in one respect was with me My
end Of the room was dark. while III,
window was al bis end. and whenever
he was between me and ii | could SCI
the silhouette OF his figure.
stood for some time with my hand
grasping the back OF the chair. expect
ing every moment either 10 feel cold
steel in my vitals or q bullet crashing
through me That the man did not NJ
tack Inc attributed TO the fact tina, Ii,
could not see me. The gas fixture WAS
midway between me aud him. but If
had struck match 10 light the gas
would have been exposed TO any blow
he chose to strike. knew also that
he would not SO expose himself
! had read OF the old time duel IN
dark room and fell into this one OF my
own naturally. The only difference
was that in the old time duel both par.
ties were armed with the same kind OF
weapon. while | had no weapon at All
and did not know how my enemy was
armed felt sure that he was waiting
to locate me. so ! kept perfectly still.
! even put my hand on my heart. for II
beat SO loud that II seemed it must
i give me away.
Suddenly | heard the tread of q sho,
7 on the floor The man had been pun
4 ting on his clothes II he were com
I pletely dressed be would feel better
I protected than ! in bare feet and q
/ nightshirt one feels an advantage
/ behind defense even II IL be clothing
covered into the corner
/ The window sash went up like p
4 shot saw something dark on the
/ sill Ii remained there moment then
/ disappeared and heard something
drop on roof without The man had
1 escaped me after all
i | scratched match so that ! could
see the bell button. pushed 1t violently
and continued to do so till boy came
I up TO my room.
i've been robbed" | cried The
thief has gone out through the window
with my pocketbook. containing $1,000
i Go down and tell them nj the Office Il
call the police and give chase at once
The boy stood staring AT me out OF n
pair OF sleepy eyes. then suddenly turn
ed and ran downstairs. | hurried on
my clothes and followed hiw. The
night clerk had telephoned the police
and the patrol wagon was pulling NJ
before the door with n great chatter /
was telling them to hurry after the
thief when a man out OF breath came
In the front door. crying:
I've nearly escaped being murdered
There's Innate or a robber or some
thing In 40. escaped by the win
4 dow
He was my roommate.
I Hes lying" | exclaimed. Hes TAX
i en- my pocketbook.
7 There was babel Of voices for
awhile. when one OF the policemen
i asked me some questions about The
+ lost money. which led TO the party ~.
I ing up to No. 40 10 investigate. and n
search was made for my pockethook
4 II had slipped from under my pillow
and fallen from the head OF the bed To
the floor Every dollar II had contain
! ed was still In II. | didn't know wheth
err my Joy at finding my money or my
modification was the greater
Il beg your pardon" said shame
facedly TO my late enemy.
IL beg yours he said. with equal
abashmenf
What did yon get ont OF bed for
MY flask. couldn't get to sleep
and wanted something 10 quiet me. |
dropped the flask
Those surrounding MS began TO grin
WELL" | continued why didn't
you 90 back 10 bed again.
From your actions got afraid Of
you was trying 10 dress when YOU
+ Jumped ont Of bed. and thought you
were coming for me"
II saw yon raise your arm 10 strike
Guess was putting on my shirt
and yon saw the arm going into the
sleeve
well. I'll be hanged ! replied
"Genilemen would you like some cham
pagne:"
That's on me- said my roommate
"Mr. Night Clerk. can we get any.
thing:"
The clerk took MS into the dining
room and brought in dozen OF cham
pagne ~ the expense OF myself and
roommate II was near daylight when
xra ,npar,t.I and instead ~ NOT lik