The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-08-07
TIE DAILY
SHORT STORY
IN DURANGO Damp.
BY A. w. Peach.
Copyright, 1918. BY the Mcclure
Newanaper Syndicate).

= ond surprise THAI came TO Nor
ton Bennett on a day OF surprises.
He found himself gathering his
daEed faculties together on the cell
lar bottom. The whole affair was
astonishing beyond reason and COM
mon sense. He knew he looked like
a hobo or 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
entrance.
He sat UP and rubbed himself until
assured that in tie, PROCESS OF de-
scent no part OF his anatomy had SUI
tered. He looked around. No light
came into the cellar save from little
old-fashioned windows through which
q speculative cat would have difficult
~ In crawling. Up the steps was the
cellar door, but he had decided mem
cries of hearing bolt slam.
He drew himself UP cautiously.
The cold damp air swirled about
him.
q suppose 1 look Like a danger
GUS character, but was under the sun
made that girl heave me down here"
he asked himsel, still badly puzzled.
He reviewed the situation. He had
come to the huose by the road for
the purpose of getting cold drink and
phoning TO the summer hotel where
he was staying for car to meet him.
A sy-cheeked. dark-eyed girl had
come TO the door, started as she look
ed at him, invited him in informed
him that IL he went down cellar he
would find a we'll from which he
could draw a drink. She opened the
door, he started-to be assisted for
cibly by a small hand planted vigor
ously In the small OF his back.
The sound of clear, sweet voice
telephoning broke into Benefits puz-
lied bordering. He felt his way hur-
riedly up the sairs and paused.
1t was the girls voice saying, will
you tell Judge Hammond that have
that criminal down in my cellar? And
tell him to send somebody quick!
am all alone here, and he is a des-
perate 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
Bolshevfk! l don't wonder But
must get out of this or will be a
living joke the rest of my life"
He scrambled to his feet and rap
ped on the door. He heard slight
intonation, suggestive of fright.
"Miss-er-er, you have made
mistake. l am not a murderer or the
son of a murderer-'he began.
She interrupted, and Bennett, list
ening to her, thought she had the
Aweetest voice of any girl he had ev-
er heard you look like one; and,
besides, l am not going to talk to you.
That lock is good and strong, and
you'll stay there till somebody
comes"
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 the
cellar to conduct an inspection.
He discovered that with the ex-
ception OF two old-fashioned cellar
windows, there was no way of escape.
A bulkhead had been filled in; and
he guessed that the girl and her fam
lily had bought the old place and were
using 1t as q summer cottage.
Pulling box to the window he
mounted It cautiously until he could
lookout. He could see the road be-
yond him. Suddenly he caught sight
Of pair OF bare feet going down the
road. He knew he could prove his
innocence in the endjbut the pros
pect Of being in durance damp did
not appeal to him. Besides, he did
not intend to let that slip of girl
put anything over On him" So, in a
moments time, by means Of fran
tioally waved hand and whispered
word, he called an astonished boys
face to the window.
sSonny. you go to the Edgemeer
Hotel and tell Jim Braithwait to come
here as fast as he can. I'll give you
S. II you will, see? Now beat it," he
urged.
d "A pair of tanned legs twinkled out
OF sight.
"It1i be more like him to think it's
"a rich Joke and keep me here, but
that Message will bring him, he
thought Eloomily.
a little later a car rolled into the
yard-too soon to be Jtm's heavy
roadster. Benefits worst fears were
realized when he heard, after a little
the door above him open and grud,
iccmmauding voice say:
a Here, you,come up out o. thar"
& Obedtently wondering what was
coming. Bennett mounted from his
gubtarranean domicile to the light OF
day. He found himself facing a huge
bfownfaced individual who carried
bHly of imposing size. Back of him
stood the girl, slim figure of brown
and gold.
..eok here, sheriff." Bennett be-
gan, "this 10 all'wrong. lam not the
-lnan you want"
THAT so7 Well, ehere,ssthe desrip-
tion." He drew ia paper from his
pocket. you robbed Nix of the
guests at the Lake hotel, were al
most caught, escaped to Fthe woods.
You're wearing 1.-The suit that YOU
wore-
T.etsmetellsyoushow-"B Bennett
began.
Never. mind, you come. along with
mei" the big fellow said,, grabbing
Bennett.ssarm-
Therewas. nothing,to do but 70. He
turn0d ito THE girl 'aIyhfal has 5Sos,, :, I