Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-03-30

but my eyes encountered no other
familiar countenance. OF course No.
reen would not attend, but there must
be some special cause to account for
Raymond's absence. He was the sort
to whom such an occasion as this
would naturally appeal.
Satisfied by my scrutiny. explored
the opposite wall in vain for any SINH
lar opening AS / remembered there
were offices there, where in days of
peace the county officers held sway,
and the floor above was an unfur-
nished attic. extending the full length
OF the building. having low, unceiled
roof. In the old days it had been
used for storage purposes, and there
was narrow stairway leading down
into the sheriff's office. Ay! and there
was a continuance there once in which
they used to burn waste papers. re.
membered certain house cleaning in
which ! assisted, and was assigned to
the job of stirring the papers fire.
quently with an iron poker. l thought
it fun, and the chimney funnel was
Il big one. Possibly it was there still,
but could succeed in getting up that
far? The light shining through the
broken paper permitted faint glimpse
of my Immediate surroundings, vet re-
vealed little to encourage me. The
chimney was barely large enough to
admit the upward passage of my body.
and was black mystery. However,
the irregularity of the stones promised
finger and foot hold. 1t offered
chance, hope-and | could ask no
more.
| was climbing before the music
ceased, clinging desperately to every
slight projection, and bracing myself
against the walls. Progress was slow,
and occasionally painful; the con
tracted space gave me a feeling of suf-
location, and dislodged enough SCOT
so was compelled to struggle con-
stantly to refrain from coughing. My
only relief was to bind handkerchief
across mouth and nostrils.
While the music remained silent, l
rested, fearful lest my struggles would
be overheard, taking such meager
comfort as l could. The first blare
of the horns started me off once more.
careless in the midst of so much noise
as to whether l ratified the loosened
plaster. or even dislodged an ILL.,
secured stone. But at the best the
passage was made by inches, and
took more than one desperate chance
of slipping; twice / chung breathless
as the music ceased, but the second
time ! felt convinced l had attained
to the level of the upper floor.
With the next burst of melody from
distance and the intervening walls,
made another attempt to ascend, but
had scarcely attained more than
foot or two when my right hand
plunged into a wide opening. Clinging
as best l could to precarious foot.
ing, | ran my arm deeper in until
came in contact with tin covering,
which fell rather noisily to the floor.
paused, startled at the sound, but no
CLEAN of light came through the open
ing, and / instantly realized that the
attic was unoccupied. The rattle Of
the tin would, in all probability, ere.
ate no alarm because of the din be-
low.
knew now exactly where was, the
only Immediate problem being my
ability to squeeze through that mar
row space. The old-time burner had
evidently been removed. wriggled
my way in head first My knees
were doubled up in the chimney, and
my feet found solid purchase against
the stones. | felt as though the very
skin was being peeled off me, but l
shot forward, my head and shoulders
emerging into the open. Heavens!
what relief! | drew long breath,
dangling over the floor, unable to
reach any support; then kicked and
struggled until fell out headlong, and
lay too exhausted even to move.
1t was so still ! could plainly hear
the swift beating OF my heart, and so
dark that not an object was discern
ible. The music below had ceased,
and, as was now on the opposite
side of the building, the sound of con-
versation and movement did not reach
me. For long moment l lay there
endeavoring to recall the surround
ings, but dare not waste much time
in such idleness. The night was slip
ping away. and every instant gained
was to my advantage. There was no
safety until was out of this building.
| ached from head to foot, my clothes
must be in rags, and no doubt, I was
as black as a negro from chimney SCOT.
Yet my heart beat high with hope, and
the spirit of adventure gripped me.
The stairs were somewhat to the
right, unprotected by even handrail.
/ crept toward them across the rough
board floor. fearing fall, and finally
located the opening. Nothing indi-
Gated that the room below was occu-
pied and slipped down as silently as
possible, although the steps creaked
under my weight. Once in the sher.
ifs room, some recollection of it's
form and furnishing required to mind.
My memory served by the dim reflec-
ton of campfire without, which rem
dered objects family visible, l could
distinguish the desk and few round
ed-back wooden chairs pushed against
the wall. There was door to the left.
standing ajar, leading into wash
room, and / ventured within, feeling
about to assure myself if there had
been any water left. found bucket
nearly full, and two bars of soap, and
unable to resist the luxury, / stripped