Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-04-17
The Daily Story
NARROW EsCAPE-BY ANDREW c. E$1TC
Copyrighted. 1918 by Associated Literary Bureau

ne was between me aud it | could see
the silhouette of his figure.
/ stood for some time with my hand
graspiug the back of the chair, expect
ing every moment either TO feel cold
steel in my vitalS or bullet crashing
through me- That the man did not at
tack me attributed to the fact that he
could not see me. The gas fixture was
midway between me and him. but if
had struck a match to light the gas
would have been exposed to any blow
lie chose to strike | knew also that
he would not 81 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 oi
weapon. while had no weapon at al
and did not know how my enemy was
armed. l felt sure that he was waiting
to locate me. so kept perfectly still
| even put my hand on my heart. for il
beat so loud that it seemed 1t must
give me away.
Suddenly | heard the tread of shoe
on the floor. The man had been put
ting on his clothes. II he were com.
pletely dressed he would feel better
protected than in bare feet and
nghtshirt. One feels an advantage
behind defense even if it be clothing.
l covered into the corner.
The window sash went up like
shot. saw something dark on the
sill. II remain there n moment. then
disappeared. and | heard something
drop on a roof without The man had
escaped me after all
scratched a match so that I could
see the bell button, pushed it violently
and continued 10 do so till boy came
up to my room.
I've been robbed" | cried This
thief has gone out through the window
with my pocketbook. containing $1,000.
Go down and tell them at the Office ia
call the police and give chase at once"
The hoy stood staring at me out of
pair of sleepy eyes. then suddenly turn
ed and ran downstairs. l hurried on
my clothes and followed him. This
night clerk had telephoned the police
and the patrol wagon was pulling up
before the door with a great clatter.
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 a lunstic or robber or some
thing in 40. escaped by the win.
| dow"
He was my roommate.
e lvfn col
| en- my pocketbook."
J There was a babel OF voices for
awhile. when one OF the policemen
asked NE some questions about the
/ lost money. which led to the party go
ing up to No. 40 to investigate. and a
search was made for my poCketboOk.
1t 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 it. didn't know wheth-
er 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
| ahashment
What did you get ont of bed for?'
MY flask. couldn't get to sleep
and wanted something to quiet me.
dropped the flask"
Those surrounding us began to grin
well" i continued. why didn't
you go hack to he'd again?"
From your actions | got afraid OF
you. ! was trying to dress when YOU
jumped out OF bed. and thought you
We're coming for me"
81 saw you raise your arm to strike"
Guess was putting on my shirt
and you saw the arm going into the
sleeve"
Well I'll be hanged" replied
"GcnfIemen. would you IKE some cham
parnp:"
"That's on me- said my roommate.
mfr. Night Clerk. can we get any
thing?"
The clerk took rs into the dining
room and brought IN n dozen Of cham
payne NJ the expense ~ myself and
roommate. II w0s urHr daylight when
We separated. ana instead OF not Xix
ing nv enemy's looks / thought him a
fine fellow
Since then. when 20 10 n hotel m I
It Is proposed to put mo N the saus
room with another person. my re-
mark Is:
Thanks. no; III sleep In a pigsty,
but not with n roommate"
And. yet singular It Is that and
the man with whom wus about
to fight when he ran away from that
duel in the dark room became warm
friends. We found we were from the
same place and were fellow members
Of two organizations. one ~ which was
n regiment If militia. At supper. after
drill I tell of my prowess on that
memorable occasinn how | bravclv
locked myself in with q rObber and
how | defended myself with nothing
more formidable than a chair against
a supposable six shooter. Then I con-
trast this bra very with my enemy's dis.
graceful fight through window.
When | describe his appearance at the
front entrance Of the hotel he turns
the Joke against me n asking me
when I return to the insane asylum.