The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-11-23


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
q vast sigh of relief.
The crisis, however, was not past.
AS Reuben well knew from former
experiences, the old man was due to
make 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
able lantern came into new evidence.
AS before, Mr.. ElstOn made his care
full rounds. Then Reuben lay notion
less and held his BREATH as he caught
a sharp ejaculation. There was a
crash Of glass and the lantern went
out Its owner had tripped on a vine
and had smashed it. Grumbling
nightly, he came near to the lurker,
cropping his way, stumbled directly
across the "camouflage" intruder and
went fiat 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.
1--WE 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 filed 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 a shot, clear and
distinct, rang out. 1t was followed by
a second. Then two flying forms ap-
peared to be passing the spot, for one
human voice piped out, "He's winged
mel" "Then drop the stuff" ordered
second voice. Here, this is good
as a hiding place. Don't delay. We
must make our getaway at all haz-
ardsl"
Something struck Reuben's head
with force. AS near as he could make
it out, it was a 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 prodigious effort Reuben
sprang up until the fingers of both
hands clasped the crumbling top Of
the we'll. He managed to lift himself
clear out Of his prison place. The
dining room of the house was blaze
of light, at its window, screaming with
fright was Winnie, outside, q 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, I think I know where
it u.s."
"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 60 regularly up to Els
TOMS" observed Talcott to Reuben, a
week later.
ooh, yes," answered Reuben with a
radiant smile.
SLOW did you come to -mollify the
old MANI"
And Reuben answered with one ex-
pressive word:
"Camoufage !"