Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-02-01

clerks were pleased to be greeted by
the good looking, agreeable young man
who was going to marry Miss Annabel.
Jimmy set his suit case down. An
mabel, whose heart was bubbling with
happiness and lively youth, put on Jim
my's hat and picked up the suit case.
Wouldn't l make nice drummer"
said Annabel my, Ralph, how heavy
1t Isl Feels like 1t was full Of gold
bricks"
LOT Of nickel plated shoe horns in
there" said Jimmy coolly, that I'm
going to return. Thought I'd save ex-
press charges by taking them up. I'm
getting awfully economical"
The Elmore bank had just put In a
new safe and vault. Mr.. Adams was
very proud Of it and insisted on an in
spection by every one. The vault was
q small one, but it had new patented
door. 1t fastened with three solid steel
bolts thrown simultaneously with SIN
gle handle and had time lock. Mr..
Adams beamingly explained its work
ings to Mr.. Spencer, who showed a
courteous but not too intelligent inter
est. The two children, May and Agatha,
were delighted by the shining metal
and funny clock and knobs.
While they were thus engaged Ben
Price sauntered In and leaned on his
elbow, looking casually inside between
the ratings. He told the teller that he
didn't want anything; he was just wait:
Ing for a man he knew.
Suddenly there was q scream or two
from the women and a commotion.
Unperceived by the elders, May, the
nine-year-old girl, in a spirit Of play
had shut Agatha IN the vault. She had
then shot the bolts and turned the
knob Of the combination as she had
seen Mr.. Adams do.
The old banker sprang to the handle
and tugged at 1t for moment "The
door can't be opened" he groaned.
1.-THE clock hasn't been wound nor the
combination set"
Agatha's mother screamed again hys-
terically.
"Hushw said Mr.. Adams, raising his
trembling hand. Gall be quiet for a
moment. Agathar he called as loudly
as he could. "Lsten to me-" During
the following silence they could just
hear the faint sound Of the child wildly
shrieking in the dark vault In a panic
Of terror.
"My precious darlingv walled the
mother. "She will die Of fright! Open
the doorl Oh, break 1t openl Cant
you men do somethingT
There isn't a man nearer than Lit
tie Rock who can open that door," said
Mr.. Adams In shaky voice. MY
God, Spencer, what shall we dot That
child-she can't stand it long In there.
There isn't enough air, and, besides,
she'll 90 into convulsions from fright"
Agatha's mother, frantic now, beat
the door of the vault with her hands.
Somebody wildly suggested dynamite.
Annabel turned to Jimmy, her large
eyes full Of anguish, but not yet de-
spairing. To q woman nothing seems
quite impossible to the powers OF the
man she worships.
Cant you do something, Raipn'
Try, won't your"
He looked at her with queer SOFT
smile on his lips and in his keen eyes.
"Annsbel,". he said, "give me that
rose you are wearing, will you"
Hardly believing that she heard MIN
Alright, she unpinned the bud from the
bosom of her dress and placed 1t IN
his hand. Jimmy stuffed 1t into his
vest pocket, threw of his coat ana
pulled up his shirt sleeves. With that
act Ralph d. Spencer passed away
and Jimmy Valentine took his place
s"Get away from the door, all OF
you,n he commanded shortly.
he set his suit case on the table and
opened It out fiat. From that time on
he seemed to be unconscious OF the
presence of any 'one else. He laid out
the shining, queer implements swifuy
and orderly, whistljng softly to him
!. self, as he always did when at Work
In a deep silence and simmovable tne
others watched him a. n under a spell
ma minute yimuly'V pet d{nl waa