The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-08
EVENING STORY
In Durance Damp.

dazed faculties together on the cellar
bottom. The whole affair was aston
ishing beyond reason and common
sense. He knew he looked like hobo
or a tramp for reasons he had tried to
overcome, but could not; but he could
not imagine why the young lady
should cast him down the cellar en-
trance.
He sat up and rubbed himself until
assured that in the process of descent
no part of his anatomy, had suffered.
He looked around. No light came into
Toned windows thru which q specu-
lative cat would have difficulty in
crawling. Up the steps was the cellar
door. and he had decided memories
Of hearing a bolt slam.
He drew himself up'cautiousIy. The
cold damp air swirled about him.
II suppose / look like a dangerous
character. but what under the sun
made that girl heave me down here"
he asked himself, still badly puzzled.
He reviewed the situation. He had
come to the house by the road for the
purpose OF getting cold drink and
telephoning to the summer hotel
where he was staying for a car to meet
him. A rosy-cheeked dark-eyed girl
had come to the door, started as she
looked at him. invited him in, inform
ed him that If he went down cellar he
would find we'll from which he could
draw a drink She opened the door.
and he started-to be assisted forcibly
by a small hand planted vigorously in
the small OF his back.
The sound Of q clear, sweet voice
telephoning broke into Benefits puz-
zled pondering He felt his way hur-
riedly up the stairs and paused.
1t was the girls voice saying. VIII
you tell Judge Hammond that have
~ Il to-, 1d
tell him to send somebody quick!
am all alone here, and he is a desper-
ate looking character. Judge HAM
mond will send the sheriff or some-
body. Tell him to hurry"
Bennett sank down on the damp
steps. "Ye gods. she thinks am a a
Bolshevik! 1 don't wonder. But 1
must get out of this or I will be a
living Joke the rest of my life
He scrambled to his feet and raped
on the door. He heard slight in
tonation, suggestive of fright.
''Miss-er-er, you have made
mistake. I am not a murderer or the
son of a murderer" he began.
She interrupted. and Bennett. listen
ing to her, thought she had the sweet
est voice of any girl he had ever
heard. You look like one; and, be-
sides, am not going to talk to you.
That lock is good and strong, and
y
He tried the door. 1t was firm and
unyielding. He tried to induce her to
talk, but she let him have the first
and last word.
Unusual in a woman" he muttered
to himself. and went down into cellar
to conduct an inspection.
He discovered that. with the excep-
ton Of two old-fashioned cellar win
dows. there was no way of escape. A
bulkhead had been filled in and he
guessed that the girl and her family
had bought the old place and were
using it as a summer cottage.
Pulling a box to the window, he
mounted IL cautiously until he could
look out. He could see the road be-
yond him. Suddenly he caught sight
of a pair of bare feet going down the
road. He knew he could prove his
innocence in the end, but the prospect
of being in durance damp did not APP
peal to him. Besides, he did not in
tend to let that slip of girl put
anything over on him" So, in a mo-
ment's time, by means of a frantically
waved hand and whispered word, he
called an astonished boys face to the
| window.
Sonny, you go to the Edgemeer
hotel and tell Jim Braithwait to come
here as fast as he can. I'll give you
SIS If you will see? Now beat itl' he
urged. =
A pair of tanned legs twinkled out
of sight.
"Itn be more like Jim to think it's
a rich joke and keep me here, but that
message will bring him." he thought
gloomily.
A little later a car rolled into the
yard-too soon to be Jim's heavy
roadster. Benefits worst fears were
realized when he heard. after little,
the door above him open and a gruff
commanding voice say:
| Here. you come up out o thar"
Obediently, wondering what was
coming. Bennett mounted from his
subterranean domicile to the light OF
day. He found himself facing a huge
brown faced individual who carried O
billy of imposing size. Back of him
! stood the girl, slim figure OF brown
and gold. Look here, sheriff" Ben
nett began. this is all wrong. I am
not the man you want"
THAT so? Well, here's the descrip-
ton" He drew a paper from his
pocket. You robbed six of the guests
| at the Lake hotel, were almost caught
escaped to the woods. You're wearing
| the suit that you wore"
Let me tell you how@"Benneti
began. -
met" the big fellow, said, grabbing
Benefits arm.
There was nothing to do but go. He
turned to the girl. This has been g
rare day. After am free I am COM
ing again to thank you for an exciting
| afternoon"
Her bud-like mouth parted in q
| smile. "Doi" she said.
AS Bennett stepped into the yard ir
the grasp Of the muscular guardian OF
the countryside he saw the figure of q
man pause at the turn of the road
stare and start away.
1t was enough. With a yank Ben
nett broke loose from the sheriff and
started full speed after the hurryine
| a run.
1t was a sharp sprint. but Bennett
caught him, grappled with him; and
in a~moment's time the road was the
scene in which the sheriff had taker
\ a hand.
When the dust had settled. Bennett
| with his hand Snarled In the Collar Of