The Lamar register., 1918-07-17

fence and worked his way past patches
of shrubbery, until he had reached
spot about twenty feet away from the
house and directly in line with the
window of Winnie's room.
"There's q convenient trellis," he
ruminated. when the coast is clear
1 will signal Winnie and scale the
trellis. Oh, the bliss of solacing her
tender, wounded heart with the appeal
Of my love, my life. II need be. to re-
move her from this ogrelsn cynosureI'
There were several patches Of
greenery. man high, some grass vel
yeted mounds, rustic bench, some
latticed vines. Reuben selected a spot
where his head was embrusured within
IA nest OF shrubbery and his feet OBJ
scured by some creeping vines. For
ull the world he resembled In simi-
larity and bulk the mounds about him.
and made a very harmonious part and
parcel of the general environment.
In about an hour Mr.. Elston came
out OF the house. He carried u Ian
tern In one hand and u 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.
As Reuben well knew from former
experiences, the old man was due to
make u second and later reconnolter
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 lnevit-
able lantern came into new evidence.
As before. Mr.. Elston made his care
full rounds. Then Reuben lay motion
less and held his breath, as he caught
II sharp ejaculation. There was
crash of glass and the lantern went
out. Its owner had tripped on vine
and had smashed 1t. Grumbling
nightly, he came near to the lurker,
cropping his way. stumbled directly
lcross the "camoufiage" intruder and
went fiat on top Of him.
It was natural that Reuben should
squirm, and also that he should sense
certain discovery II he remained where
he was.
1--WE got youi 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. II took him some mo-
ments to get his mind clear enough
to comprehend the situation. He had
just done so when shot, clear and
distinct. rang out. 1t was followed by
second. Then two flying forms APP
peared to be passing the spot. for one
human voice plped out, Hes winged
mei' "Then drop the stun" ordered
second voice. Here. this Is good
us 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
1t out. 1t was u small valise. He was
for second time nearly stunned. He
rallied speedily enough as 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. 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 fucus OF the stream
ing light.
I'm not" declared Reuben prompt
ly. what has happenedf"
"Burglars-and the old iron safe
riied-silverware jewelry and over
two thousand dollars in CASH." Mr..
Elston groaned frantically.