Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1918-02-02
CLEVER KATIE.
by JAMES ALLEN THORPE.


Write them to come"
"YOu mean"
"All 81 them-yuur mother, sister
and brother. They will be welcons."
"And, oh, 30 happy !" sobbed Katie
Duncan, so overcome with JOY that
she broke down utterly. "Mr. Whar-
ton, how can thank you for this
browning blessing Of my life, and
mother and the children, the wearying
worry and struggling past, and all Of
us together. Oh-blcss youl bless
youi A real home for them nj lastr
child. you paint this rickety old
place Of mine as though IL were u par
adise."
1T is TO me, II will be 10 them" de-
clared Katie
Poor lamb :" spoke Eben Wharton.
with sincere feeling. ut was a lucky
day for her. You have been here a
year, and II Is the only year In my life
that has brought me comfort. on, but
sou are thrifty, helpful little house
keeper, and I've got sense enough to
know enough that some one else will
come along and rob me Of my jewel"
"Ncycr that. Mr. Wharton spoke
NJ Katie, cmphutically. Il wouldn't
leave you. after all your kindness. II
king offered me IA palace"
ayes, you're true blue / know that"
commended Ebcn, "but you are pretty
as well as industrious, Katie. and muny
u young man will find that out as time
goes on. Why, only last week that
half-ncphow of mine. Walter MORSE"
Instantly Katie looked ur. daring roI
and confused. 81 forbid sou tu speak
about him." she nutyrpI.
"N1yhc De- spoke Goo yuu," minated
Il.n.
eyes, De- did" acknowledge hattie.
truthiully but with some agitation ot
manner "und told him never 10 do
So again"
Katie came home from "a uolghbOr's
one evening about eight o'clock and
hurried down the hall as she detected
IA strange faint of smoke In the air.
\ gruun sounded, Enthusiastically IN the
accents of Mr.. Wharton. She turned
into the room where they sat evenings,
to stand spellbOuud. Her employer,
his feet bare, sat tied back In his arm
chair. A poker was stuck deep into
the hot embers of the CRATE. A man.
lOw-brOwed and Misunderstanding
sprang towards her. slammed the door
shut, turned the key In the lock and
pushed her forcibly back into u chair.
Didn't expect visitors" he chuckled
familiarity. but you'n sit pretty quiet
there Or" and he slapped the butt
of a revolver protrudlng from his
pocket. Now, old man, II you don't
tell me where you have that hidden
store Of yours, Wen make another Rp-
lication OF that red-hot poker to the
soles Of your feet"
Mr.. Wharton was writhlng In agony
as he gasped out: Katie, the six
hundred dollars. You know where Il
Is. He'll kill both Of Us II we don't
give IL up"
You never spoke truer word"
glOwered the wretch. Come, sis"
The man seized the poker menaciugly.
you've got the key to the old room
where the hives are" painted her tor
tured employer. Give him the motley"
Katie took up the lamp and moved
towards the door The man unlocked
Il.
"Hou first he ordered. as they
reached the stairs. "No tricks or Il
will be- the worse for both of yoi."
This is the room" said Katie. as
they reached upstairs She had paused
before an apartment always used In
winter, rs now, a. store the hives from
the garden, 10 keep them from Free
Ing.
get in" directed the man. as Katie
unlocked the door. "Now. then. where
Is that money!"
ITS I'm wooden box down In that
crock on the shelf" replied Katie,
pointing, and with eagcrncss the IN
welcome visitor hurried 20 the spot
Indicated, climbing on u key and crop
Ing In the crock.
II feel it, he cried with satlsfac-
lion, and In his urgency to pull out the |
box he placed his revolver on top o' |
unc Of the hives.
The moment that clever, wutuhfuI
Katie had been waiting for had ar
rived. She acted In flash. Her hand !
uut quickly and seized the ry- ,
'olvor She dropped II as she reached !
The hall, slammed shut the door. locked !
L and placed the lamp on the floor |
There was imprecatiou and then !
crash. There followed terrific yell
/ whole series of them. Floludcriug /
lround in the dark. the Gagged burglar
lad tipped over one Of the hives.
Katie ran downstairs aud released
he bonds. securing Mr.. Wharton.
Nov, then. hurry upstairs" Ill.
ccted Katie; and although he had 10
imp and groan over his bllstered feet.
he followed her, She set down the
amp and handed him the revolver.
shoot, II he tries 20 burst down the
loor," she said. keep the fellow AT
'ay az all hazards until run for neigh
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