Williams news., 1917-11-29

1 ~
 There were several patches of
 greenery, man high, some grass vel | veted mounds, rustic bench, some
 latticed vines. Reuben selected spot
 where his head was embrasured within | a nest of shrubbery and his feet ob- scured by some creeping vines. For all the world he resembled in simi- larity and bulk the mounds about him, and made very harmonious part and parcel of the general environment. In about an hour MT. Elston came | out of the house. He carried lan- tern in one hand and a heavy cane in the other. First he lined the fence l all about the place, then he crossed | and criss-crossed the garden space. Twice he passed within ten feet of the | spot where Reuben lay, but no sus- | picion of near human proximity | seemed to occur to him.
 "Safe, so far," breathed Reuben in a vast sigh of relief.
 The crisis, however, was not past. As Reuben well knew from former experiences, the old man was due to make a second and later reconnoiter of the premises. He ventured to change his position and even sit up, to relieve the strain of his queer plight. About nine o'clock the inevit- able lantern came into new evidence. As before, MT. Elston made his care full rounds. Then Reuben lay motion less and held his breath, as he caught sharp ejaculation. There was crash of glass and the lantern went out. Its owner had tripped on a vine and had smashed it. GrGmbling nightly, he came near to the lurker, groping his way, stumbled directly across the "camouf1age" intruder and went fiat on top of him.
 It was natural that Reuben should squirm, and also that he should sense certain discovery if he remained where he was.
 eve got youl Who are you?" shouted out MT. Elston, but Reuben slipped through his clutching fingers with the dexterity of an eel. He darted from bush to bush, he circled and tumbled, and, nearing the fence, felt his footing give way and out of sight he went, dropped several feet and lay inert and senseless at the bot tom of an old, abandoned well only partly filled in.
 Reuben must have lain there for, more than two hours, for when he re- covered consciousness the town clock pealed forth upon the still night air eleven strokes. It took him some mo- ments to get his mind clear enough to comprehend the situation. He had just done so when a shot, clear and distinct, rang out. It was followed by Gxyiy peared to be passing the spot, for one human voice piped out, "He's winged me!' '"Then drop the stuff," ordered a second voice. Here, this is good as hiding place. Don't delay. We must make our getaway at all haz- ards T"
 Something struck Reuben's head with force. As near as he could make 1t out, it was small valise. He was for second time nearly stunned. He rallied speedily enough as a scream rang out, clear and appealing.
 "Winnie!" he breathed. "She may be in peril"
 With a prodigious effort Reuben sprang up until the fingers of both hands clasped the crumbling top of the well. He managed to lift himself clear out of his prison place. The dining room of the house was a blaze of light, at its window, screaming with fright was Winnie, outside, a two barreled shotgun in his grasp, was her father. Impulsively Reuben ran to- ward him.
 Hello! Your one of the burglars eh?" shouted the old man, as Reuben came within the focus of the stream ing light.
 "Pm not" declared Reuben prompt ly. "What has happened?"
 Burglars the old iron safe rided-silverware, jewelry and over two thousand dollars in cash !" MT. Elston groaned frantically.
 Don't worry" answered Reuben. ''You hit one of the burglars. As to their plunder, think I know where it is.'
 'FYou dol"
 "Yes. Get a lantern and come with me-
 The well gave up its treasure. The old man grasped Reuben's hand with sincere gratitude. He could not but invite Reuben into the house. There he and Nellie listened breathlessly to IAe eApidndllon oA HIS umeiy dppSdI- ance on the scene.
 T hear you go regularly up to Els ton's," observed Talcott to Reuben, a week later.
 "Oh, yes," answered Reuben with a radiant smile.
 "How did you come to mollify the old man?' . And Reuben answered with one ex- pressive word:
 "CamOuf1a ge I''