Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1917-12-27

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
nest of shrubbery and his feet OBJ
scured by some creeping vines. For
all the world he resembled in SINH
larity and bulk the mounds about him..
and made very harmonious part and
parcel of the general environment.
In about an hour Mr. Elston came
out of the. house. He carried Ian
tern in one hand and a heavy cane in
the other. First he lined the fence
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
vast sigh of relief.
The crisis, however, was not past.
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 newt
AS before, Mr.. 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 vine
and had smashed it, Grumbling
nightly, he came near to the lurker,
cropping his way, stumbled directly
across the 'camouf1age" intruder and
went flat on top of him.
1t was natural that Reuben should
squirm, and also that he should sense
certain discovery If he remained where
he was.
tive got you! Who are your"
shouted out Mr.. 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. 1t took. him some mo-
ments to get his mind clear enough
to comprehend the situation. He had
just done so when shot, clearand
distinct, rang out. 1t was followed by
a second. Then two flying forms APP
peared to be passing the spot, for one
human voice piped out Hes winged
mel" 'Then drop the stuff" ordered
second voice. "Here, this is good
as hiding place. Don't delay. We
must make our getaway at all haz-
ards!''
Something struck Reuben's, head
with force. As near as he could make
it out, it was a small valise. He was
1OA q oCSOA0 llluC llSAlly Slut1ASu. liz
rallied speedily enough as scream
rang out clear and appealing.
WINNER" he breathed. "She may
be in peril"
With 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 blaze
of light, at it's window, screaming with
fright was Winnie, outside, 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.
"I'm not" declared Reuben prompt
ly. "What has happened?"
"Burglars-and the old iron safe
rifled-silverware, jewelry and over
two thousand dollars in cash." Mr..
Elston groaned frantically.
Don't worry" answered Reuben.
you hit one of the burglars. AS to
their plumber, think / know where
it isl
"You dol"
Eyes. Get lantern and come with
me-"
The well gave up it's 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
the explanation of his timely appear
ance on the scene.
II hear you go regularly up to Els
TOMS" observed Talcott to Reuben, a
week later.
ooh, yes" answered Reuben with q
radiant smile.
"How did you come to mollify the
old MANI"
And Reuben answered with one ex-
pressiye word:
"Camouflage