Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1917-12-15

rtrd mounds, Il rustic bench. some
utticcd vines. Reuben selected n spot
where his head WAS omhruSurcd within
nest Of Shruhhcry and his feet oh
cured 10y some creeping vines. For
I'll the world he rcScmhled In SINH
nrity and bulk the mounds about him.
md made very harmonious part and
,arcel Of the general environment.
In about un hour Mr. Elstun came
iut of the house He carried Ian.
crn in one hand ana heavy cane IN
h. other First he lined the fence
II about the place, then he crossed
md crlsS-crosscd the garden space.
twice he passed within ten feet Of the
fot where Reuben lay, but no sus-
'cion of near human proximity
eemcd To occur To him.
"Safe. So far" brenthcd Reuben in
vast sigh Of relief
The crisis however. was not past.
y Reuben well knew from former
XpcricnccS. the old man was due To
uakc second and later recunnoitrr
II the premises. He venturcd To
hange his position and even sit NJ,
% relieve the strain of his queer
flight About nine o'clock the incNit-
bic lantern came into new evidence.
y before. Mr.. ElStun made his care
vi rounds. Then Reuben lay motion
cSs and held his breath. us lie caught
sharp ejaculation There was u
rash Of glass and the lantern went
Iut Its owner had trippcd on vine
md had smashed ii. Grumhling
nightly he came near 10 the lurkcr,
cropping his way, stumbled directly
IcroSs the "cnmouilnge" intruder and
went flat on top OF him.
II was natural that Reuben should
qlirm and also that he should sense
certain discovery II h. remained where
IL Was.
1--WE got you, Who are yuuf"
shouted ont MIR Estun. but Reuben
slipped through his clutchlng fingers
NTH the dcxierity Of an eel. He
Iartcd from bush 10 bush he clrcled
and tumblcd, and. nearing the fence,
ielt his footing give way and out ~
sight he went. dropped several feet
and lay inert and ScnSclcSs ut the bot
ION Of I'M old. abandoned we'll "aly
partly filled in.
Reuben must have lain there for
more than two hours. for when h. re-
covered consciousness IN" town clock
pcalcd forth upon The Stlll night mir
eleven strokes II took him some mo
ments To get his mind clear enough
To- comprehend the situation. He had
just done 81 when Il shot. clear and
distinct. rang out II was followed by
II second Then two dying forms APP
pearcd TO be passing the spot, FOR one
human voice ripcd out. Hes winged
me" Then drop the stuff ordered
II second voice Here. this IS good
ms hiding place. Don't delay We
must make our getaway At all haz-
ards"
Something struck rcuheu'~ head
with force. As near rs he could make
II out. II was small vilise. He WAS
for second time nearly stunned. Ill"
rallied speedily enough rs scream
rang out clear and appealing.
winnie" he brcathcd. she may
lie IN peril"
With predictions effort Reuben
sprang up unil the fingers Of both
hands claSrcd the crumhling top Of
the well. lie managed To lift himself
clear nul of his prison place The
dining room Of the house was 81 hlaze
Of light NJ It's window. screaming ~ith
fright. WINS Winnie. outside q tNo-
h;rrciod shotgun IN his grasp. was her
fuihrr. lmpulsivcly Reuben ran to-
ward hifn
"llriio, Ncur one Of the burglars
oht" shouted The old man, as Reuben
cunp within The focus Of the stream
In H-h'.
I'm net" declared Reuben prompt
n "Waa has happencdf'
'Iigs-.ar~- md the old iron sat"
rltle3 -ily,vaare, ioNelry and over
~
El~'"n r2aued irapueaI%.
"pnnN Worry, answered Reuben.
"lou hi one OF me burglars. ~ To-
Pam