Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-04-29
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KEnT'S LAST THROW
BY ELLA DEAN RICHMOND.

SNAS VI hSA Juol do SSl tdlA pei oono
were born with some predominating
skill, his lay in accuracy Of aim. No
one had ever excelled him in throwing
q bean bag, or in duck-on-the-rock.
or at quoits. Later on he became the
champion pitcher Of the local baseball
team. He did not make a profession
or trade of it, but he could knock an
apple off a tree branch with a pebble
every time. He threw a bouquet
straight into the arms of pretty Lima
Wentworth when she graduated and
that led to their rare and charming
love romance.
OF late Kent had got to throwing
something else-dice, at the village
billiard hall. This had led to his asso
ciating with pretty rapid crowd
Among them was a profigate ldler
with plenty of money named Harper
Winston. If Kent had analyzed affairs
he would have found that Winston
was scheming to discredit him with
Lima so as to win her for himself.
Two nights previous down at the
billiard hall Winston had introduced
Kent and his friends to a city friend
Mr. Halpin he called him. They had
drank considerable and Kent escorted
Halpin to the hotel The next morn.
ing friend of Kent came to him and
told him that Halpin had lost a dia
mond ring and accused Kent of steal
ing it, as he was the last person with
him the night previous.
Things looked pretty black for Kent
He hid in the room of friend all that
day. He made up his mind that Lima
would have nothing further to do with
an accused thief. In fit of despera.
tion Kent decided to leave the village
for good and started to do so at mid,
night, when he saw the town marshal
approaching him.
Kent rushed down a side street Out
OF sight of the marshal. Then
square farther on as he saw pedes'
trian approaching him he leaped
fence and ran through garden. His
overstrained fears led him to seek a
hiding place. He made out large
dog house. 1t was empty. Kent
crawled into it.
What to do next?" he painted help
lessly. "Oh, am in terrible fix"
AS he lay among the straw, hunt.
ed fugitive, Kent reflected how his
careless habits had probably cost him
the position of his life. Two weeks
previous a friend had suggested that
he apply to the railway mail service
In the city for an appointment. Kent
did so, and wonderfully attracted the
attention and admiration of the agent
of the government with the accuracy
and swiftness with which he was able
to throw mail. He was advised that
his references would be looked up
and If he passed muster he would pe
offered a good position. Now, an ac-
cused thief, they would scarcely con-
slider him.
Kent fell asleep. He was awakened
perhaps two hours later by the sound
of low voices. Peering out, he saw
two men, strangers to him.
Look here" one of them was say
ing, we've held up one man and loot
ed four houses. There's one more il
the block. You rest the booty and
guard it while see If there's anything
else worth getting. Then we'll go to
our automobile in the woods and
speed for the city. Well do up these
country yahooks in good style. while
we're about It,
"Burglars and their booty is In that
satchel!" breathed Kent.
One Of the men disappeared, The
other set his foot on the satchel and
kept guard. A sudden impulse flashed
through the mind of Kent Marvin He
would outwit these bold schemers.
He reached out and seized the limb
Of the sentinel burglar At the same
time he initiated the snarling bark OF
a dog Naturally the burglar was
startled and fell back.
In an instant Kent was out of the
dog house and on his feet. He
snatched up the satchel.
Drop that! Who are you?" and the
burglar, partly recovering himself
flashed a revolver.
Just then Kent saw light in an
upper room of the despoiled mansion
Some one was awake there. He gave
the satchel a swing. AS "a thrower"
he was at his best. 1t described an
accurate parabola curve.
Crash! bang! clatter!-through the
window it went, while Kent shouted
Justify:
"Burglars-phone for the police!"
The burglar fired at Kent. The shot
missed him. He stopped and picked
up heavy piece of wood. Again
fling. Down went the burglar sense
less, and as his companion appeared
Kent grappled with him and held him
till two servants came rushing from
the mansion.
His part In recovering some $5,OOO
stolen booty would have helped Kent
In public estimation anyway, but dis,
covery cleared him of all taint of
crime.
The man the burglars had robbed
on the street was Harper Winston,
and among their booty was found the
missing diamond ring, evidencing a
conspiracy and clearing Kent.
The next day there came noti1-
cation from the railway postal service
awarding Kent the coveted position.
His repentance, earnest and sincere,
softened fair Lena's heart. He was
through throwing dice, his chances
away, and other foolish actions. Lima
believed him, and threw herself In his
arms and forgave him.
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