Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-07-23
The Grip of Evil''

~ wac tuoJ " N&iNululN liN btotdhNs
for an effective spring. Before the
would-be thief we'll knew what was
happening, the outraged owner OF the
house had him pinned to the floor
Incidentally, the marauder had re.
ccived such blow on the jaw that he
was knocked into momentary insensi.
bility. Thereupon John picked him
up, first running his hands lightly over
the mans clothes to make sure he was
not carrying a revolver. Then hs car
ried the burglar into the library, put
MIN in a chair near the table, and
switched on the light. Without further
ado, he went to the telephone and
called for the police station.
Busy" said the exchange operator,
but I'll call you just as soon as they
arc through"
"All right" said John, turning his
attention TO the captive, who showed
signs OF rcviving.
On the table stood plate Of daint.
iy made sandwiches and glass Of
milk. Johns habits we're irregular
at times, and his servants had orders
to leave some light refreshment avail
able at night in case he felt sleepless
and decided to sit up and read
The burglars face invited scrutiny.
It's general expression spoke Of in
tellectuality and gentleness. The chin
was weak, the forehead lofty, the nose
straight and well-formcd, the mouth
flexible and tender as woman's,
Otherwise, the man was an unsavory
object. His clothes were those OF the
poyerty-stricken, and his person was
unkcmpt. John noticed that his hands
were well shaped and obviously I'M
used to hard work.
When the man recovered his wits, a
singular thing happened. His eyes
seemed to be fascinated by the sight
Of the food. With sublime indiffer-
ence to all other considerations, he
stretched out trembling fingers,
grabbed 4 sandwich, and ate it vora-
ciously. John let him do it, and
watched him. Then he swallowed
some OF the milk, and seized another
sandwich. At that moment the tele-
phone bell rang. The metallic jangle
startled the thief into full conscious
ness. He gazed up at John with .
dawning look of terror that was pitiful
in its abasement. Evidently, he under
stood what the ring Of that bell meant,
But he did not stop eating. On the
contrary, he was only more eager to
deyour the rest OF the food on the
plate. John watched him with increas-
ing aniazement. The bell rang again.
He picked up the receiver, but put Il
back on its hook; then he moved
closer to his prisoner and gazed at
him curiously.
you're a poor sort Of thief" he
said. (By this time the man had
emptied the plate.) What you seem
to want 10 q restaurant. Were you
hungry Was that why you were try
Ing to steal1"
yep"
you'd better finish the rest Of the
milk" said John.
The man gazed up with . flicker OF
astonishment on his eyes. However,
he took the milk and set down the
emntied glass.
Nov, I'm ready" he muttercd.
"Guess you better bring along those
COPS. You're white man, and I'm
s ..,,W Rrt thev'il nut me away
H. f;vs years mat he same. A poor
devil ike me hasn't got q dogs
oesn Inv M
s" axtS,,., A. -, 80 that3" Iohn in
ou,rsd'
because ;ts the cold, hard truth"
-. ~ .to,;d answer
W. 49, ' 49, $500. - ch.;r and sat down.
!T I'M Wy ~ ..;J
.vs. -. ao;ng ~ NAV the mis-
.,... -. hone5 I'm through with
\; s'onSry 49, -, ,,,;n;.t.r II nv last
y. .he.u Wa - ..sm.d 10 reel an 4
p .,s;S. .n;.i put Il didn't nan out
,snr.S ! csnt when tested Il II, actual
a. 60 back / "a 70 the penitentiary,
srS that's sii there Il 10 II"
~ a,d. .o,rded h.,d and
A.t;n ne ~. ,hev held an undertone
a ..ds.. ~ ard 3e.na;r
u . 1890 c. r,s ~ dec;de" sa;d Iohn
t;.,,, na' . III ne NO fearful hurry
ahont Il ANYHOW. You're not real
cxnert At this game, you know. See
what YOU can do with an honest story.
But eliminate the limelieht and slow
music. II won't 60. First, what's
vour manner"
aGentlcman Joe. It's nickname,
and mot a very good one at that, but
M the only one I've known for seven
years.
"Try back eight, then
.Weil, il you must have it, when l
from Yale and entered the
First National bank in my home town,
was known to quite crowd OF peo-
pie as Joseph Lawrence Drake ! Was
engaged to be married 100, 70 ss n'se
a girl as ever lived. NOW, iook ~