Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-01-13

bic. The wind. a mouse, the swapping
of fiber of dry furniture, the crum-
| bling of mortar behind G. wainscot-
these and many other quite normal
| agencies will attract the wakeful ear.
| John, however, could not remain I'M
| der a delusion when he distinctly
| heard a window raised stealthily. He
swiftly switched off the light in the
library, opened the door as noiseless-
| ly as possible, and crept on tiptoe
across the parquet flooring of the
| hall
The dining-room door stood ajar. A
| flood of moonlight rendered the in
terror sufficiently visible for objects
| to be distinguished with clearness.
John caught a sidelong view of a man
| furtiveIy examining the silver on the
| sideboard.
1t was easy to calculate the distance
for an effective spring. Before the
would-be thief well knew what was
happening, the outraged owner of the
house had him pinned to the floor.
Incidentally, the marauder had re-
ceived such a blow on the jaw that
he was knocked into momentary in
sensibi1ity. Thereupon John picked
him up, running his hands lightly over
the mans clothes to make sure he was
not carrying a revolver. Then he
carried the burglar into the library,
put him in a chair near the table and
switched on the light. Without fur
Their 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
are through
"All right said John, turning his
attention to the captive, who showed
signs of reviving.
On the table stood a plate of
daintily made sandwiches and a glass
of milk
The burglars face invited scrutiny.
It's general expression spoke of intel
lectuality and gentleness. The chin
was weak, the foreheady lofty, the
nose straight and well-formed, the
mouth flexible and tender as a wom-
ans. Otherwise, the man was an I'M
savory object.
When the man recovered his wits, a
singular thing happened. His eyes
seemed to be fascinated by the sight
of the food. With a sublime indif
ference to all other considerations,
he stretched out trembling fingers,
grabbed a 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 a
dawning look of terror that was pitt
full in it's abasement. Evidently he I'M
derstood what the ring of that bell
meant.
But he did not stop eating. On the
contrary, he was only more eager to
devour the rest of the food on the
plate. John watched him with in
creaSing amazement. The bell rang
again. He picked up the receiver, but
put it back on its hook; then he moved
closer to his prisoner.
You're a poor sort of thief he
said. (By this time the man had
emptied the plate) What you seem
to want is a restaurant. We're you
hungry? Was that why you were try
ing to steal?"
yep"
You'd better finish the rest of the
milk said John.
The man gazed up with flicker of
aStOn1SnmeQC on MS eyes however,
he took the milk, and set down the
emptied glass.
Now. I'm ready" he muttered.
Guess you better bring along those
cops. You're a white man. and I'm
glad I didn't get clear with any of
your stuff. But they'll put me away
for five years, just the same. A poor
devil like me hasn't dogs chance
John drew up a chair and sat down.
Tell me-" he said.
You're not going to play the mis-
sionary act, hope? I'm through with
it. There was a minister in my last
prison, and he seemed to reel off
straight spiel But it didn't pan out
worth cent when tested it in actual
fact So, back / go to the peniten-
tiary, and that's all there is to it,
The mans words sounded hard and
defiant. but they held an undertone
of sadness and despair.
That's for me to decide" said John
firmly. There's no fearful hurry
about it, anyhow. You're not a real
expert at this game, you know. See
what you can do with an honest story.
But eliminate the limelight and slow
| music. 1t won't go. First, what's your
name?"
Gentleman Joe. It's a nickname,