The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-06-05
"ouIck COME WITH


cracking, a snap. The lock had been
forced. 1 heard one of the men step
to the edge of the porch and whistle
softly. A second later the answering
porch. A few words. The door closed.
All was still"
The music of the cafe had faded for
me, too, now. Only the woman's face
was before me, the face that was
echoing the tense agony of that mo-
ment Of the past. My cigarette burned
my fingers; I dropped it to the tray
almost unconsciously. My eyes were
straight ahead.
And then" prompted.
The diamond pendant seemed to
have planted it's rays in her eyes.
They were swapping electrically.
Them" She laughed a bit queerly.
Then l prayed again. l knew a thief
had been placed to watch just within
the door; l knew there was one
shadow which might aid me-but
that the first wrong step would bring
knew the child in my arms might be
aroused by my first movement and
that she might cry. l knew that my
woman's heart was quailing, that it
was crying out to me to remain
where | at least stood a chance of
safety-and l knew | must fight that
impulse down. Something warm
coursed it's tiny way on my chin. I
had bitten my lips to bleeding. Some
thing cold gripping my heart, some
thing steel was seemingly binding my
brain into dumb, helpless lack of
thought. I shuddered. Then, like one
plunging into an icy sea, l stepped
forward
"step by step made my slow way
down in the shadow. No word came
from behind, no sound. l had passed
the first watcher. l turned quickly to
the blind side of the building and
crept along the fence. I knew it was
impossible to retreat by the front
way, for there would be a watcher
there also, somewhere in a dark cor
ner. One by one l felt the panels of
the fence. Lower and lower my
heart sank. Then, suddenly it leaped.
l had found loose board
"A vacant let was before NE.
Crouching low, stumbling, my dress
catching and pulling, twigs striking
against my face, made my way
through the high weeds, shielding my
baby as best l could, hoping, praying
against that it would not awaken. A
into an alley. Tears came to my eyes,
and yet l laughed, laughed with all
the nervousness, all the anguish of re-
lief that a woman could know. ! saw
the sign ahead:
POLICE STATION"
"The old desk sergeant started as
entered, my hair flying, my eyes wild.
A patrolman attempted to stop me. I
pushed him out of the way.
"'Quick!' I gasped. Sergeant, get
every man you can and come with
mel
He looked at me as though he be-
lieveG me crazy. He did not move.
rushed to him, seized him by the
coat sleeve.
"'Quick!' urged again. There are
q set Of thieves in a nat not two
blocks from here. You've got time to
surround the place and get every one
of them. They think they're safe;
they've got two watchers, but know
where they are. I saw them get into
the place-won't you come-can't you
see the need to hurry-sergeant?
Can't you
There was no need Of further plead
ing. The sergeant was already on
the way to the door. Three patrolmen
had sprung to their feet and were
following him. saw the jailer and
hurried to him.
"'Hold the baby commanded, and
laughed somewhat Historically at his
surprised face. Then I whirled and
was gone to join the sergeant.
"A half hour later six shadowy
forms skunk forth from the side of
the fiat building. There was a half
glitter as four revolvers were pointed
ahead, a sharp command, shot as
one of the men attempted to run, and
then the hands Of the gang of robbers
went into the air. With the capitula-
ton there came . frightened little cry,