Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-12-12
155e
Midnight Man

By GEORGE ELMER coBB
copyright. 1919. by the Western Now.-
paper Cnion.)


When Robert Ward WAS taken IN in
inc boarding house of Mrs. Mary Du
fand. that mothcrly hearted lady was
soiicitous and helpful. There WAS
something about the silent. diyni,iod
man that enforced respect. and his
attentions to her daughter. Lucille.
delicate and sincere. had won the lnt-
ter. too.
MIS-. Durand was 4 widow and had a
mart time getting along and Lucille
worked with Zest AMI uncomplain-
inSiE. She WAS educated and refined.
During Wards illness mother and
daughter divided the most perfect
care of him. In addition to that Mr.
ward loved music. and il was his de-
light afternoons to leave the door of
his room open while Lucille in the
pnrlor played for him his favoritc
tunes.
Just as Ward WAS getting well Mrs.
Durand was taken i'll and died. While
sayin" little, as was his way. Ward
deeply sympathized In the fervcnt
Sriet or the stricken orphan girl Mrs.
Durand had died deeply in debt. He
volunteered to clear UP her affairs as
much as possible without distressing
Lucille
1T will he necessary TO sell all Of
the furniture and lease in order to pay
the debts" he said.
II don't know what shall do"
spoke. Lucille sfepresscdly.
II have tried to think out way for
you.' replied Ward. II am n man Of
few words and I can condcnse my rec
concentration briefly. Marry me-"
She regarded him in profound won
derment. Then slight flush over
spread her sorrowful face, but she re-
manned silent.
You know little of ME-" proceeded
Ward, land I shall tell you nothing
more than that I am an honest. re-
spectacle man Of clear, record with Il
great liking for yon and fair income.
i do not suppose YOU feel anything
deeper Tor me than the kindly interest
In everybody that is natural TO YOU,
but I shall make it the object of my
life to bring YOU happiness"
They were welded and settled down
In Il pretty cottage at Everleen. q
quiet suburb. Ward was all that was
chivnlric and thoughtful. but he never
explained the business that took him
each afternoon to- the city and he al
ways came home on the last train.
1t got to he so that the neighbors be-
gan to get curious and designated him
as 1.-THE midnight man." and all this
secretiveness and mystery troubled
Lucille. She grew still more uneasy
when. one day accompanying her hus-
band on the train to the city, as Ward
went forward to the smoker one of
two men passing him In the aisle said
Wasn't that Bob Ward who was in
the state penitentiary for so many
years?"
a nameleSs dread chilled Lucille's
heart. Penitchtiary! Had her hug
band been an inmate Of penal insti-
tution-ra criminal, convict!
A few days later Lucille endured
new distress of spirit. At their little
home her husband had a room which
held some bookcases, desk. and
which was his special den. Lucille
found the door open. She crossed the
room to open the window for ventila-
tiOn and could not help hut notice I'm
iii open cabinet weapons, handouts,
and what she decided was set Of
burglars tools. She fed precipitutely
from this Bluebeard closet and was
wretched and fearful all that day.
1t was late that night when Lucille.
awaiting the return of her husband.
heard strange noise in the den. She
threw open the door of the den and
the light from the other room revealed
startling sight.
a man had got half through tho out
side window and the sash, with an
old-fashiOned catch, had imprisoned
him there, his body half in the room.
He could be nothing less than thief,
Lucille realized. She acted speedily,
bravely. Selling the pair of handouts
from the cabinet she rushed at him
and slipped them over his wrists and
then held him at bay with Icvelcd
weapon.
Come quick! !" she cried breathlcss-
ly, rs she heard the footsteps of her
husband on the porch. and fluttcred
forth her sensational story as Ward
entered the room.
zone of the spies of the Trust en-
spoke Ward. after keen glance at the
captive. after some of my incrlm-
mating papers? Well they this day
passed into the hands of the govern
ment, and the case will come on to-
morrow. Your occupation is gone, my
man, for after years work l have
traced down the hundreds of thou.
sands Of dollars Of which the Trust
hhs swindled the government"
He coolly released the captive and
thrust him out of the house. Then he