Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1920-11-18

Il
"Yes, sir; very good, sir"
The man bent over with his back to
Clinton. as II replacing the trousers.
When he rose he had Clinton's shoes
IN his hand. Before the owner could
protest, he was at the door. A re-
spectful explanation drifted back
through the opening as the door was
drawn shut: 'Must polish them. sir.
You'll find them here in the morning"
Clinton leaped out Of bed and ran to
Jerk open the door. It was locked.
He raised his hand to knock. and
dropped 1t, probably remembering that
the door was deadened. He faced
about. On the floor lay the articles
that the man had taken from his pock-
cts. He went to replace them before
the moon could glide down behind the
ragged black mass or the mountains
and leave him In darkness.
Catching up a handful of small
change, he reached for his trousers.
They were not where he had left
them. They were neither on nor under
the neatly hung coat and waistcoat.
1t was evident that the man had snug
gled them out under his jacket.
CONSERVATION alone saved Clinton
from an explosion Of his quick temper.
1t was truly dilemma in which he
found himself. TO remain in the sani-'
tarium might be to lose all chance Of
escape; but to leave without trous-
ers-! The thought of fleeing in pa.
jamas with a charming young lady
whom one does not acknowledge to bt
ones sister is, to say the least, EN-
barrassing.
He put on his remaining clothea
buttoned up the coat, examined his
appearance In the waning moonlight,
and blushed. Considerate of his feel.
ings, the moon went down, and the
merciful darkness cloaked him about.
In the obscurity, his courage rallied.
So dark night, no one would see.
With burglarious stealth he crept to
the bed and pulled off the coverlet
and sheets. To knot them end to end
was the work Of only few moments.
He stole across to the window. low
cred the upper sash, and tied one end
of his line to the two window cords
on one. side. He did not open the
screen, but stepped down to crouch in
corner and look at his watch by the
light of vesta. It was five to twelve.
He had not completed his preparations
any too soon.
AS he returned to the window he
saw the light of a passing automobile.
He sprang up on the window-seat and
opened the top screen to peer out. The
automobile slackened speed and
stopped at the first house across the
alley from the sanitarium. 1t seemed
to be coupe. At once he swung him
self out over the window sashes, peered
down to make certain that the window
below was unlighted, and cautiously
began to lower himself from the sill.
When he put his weight on the sheet
line 1t stretched with the tightening
of the knots, but held. He slowly let
himself down, hand under hand. Be-
fore he came to the lower end. his
stockinged feet touched the ground.
He turned out toward the vague
blot under the overshadowing tree.
The outlines of a coupe became dimly
visible, then the white form of an out
pcering face.
"All aboard" he whispered. slipping
into the seat beside the excited girl.
The coupe glided out Of the gutter
and started up the street at quickly
accelerated speed. As they swept
across the lighted intersection ClfD.
ton crouched forward with his hands
on his knees. Amy did not observe
the embarrassed movement, She was
peering ahead into the darkness be-
yond the intersection. She ran the
next block, swerved around the cor
ner. and turned on the coupe lights.
you're q little TRIUMPH" he ex'
claimed.
THAT'S nice Of you. you poor dear
boy! Isn't It fun1 Isn't 1t romantici
was shivering with fear that they
might pop out and Lean back TIL
we pass the crossing"
Involuntarily he obeyed. She glanced
at him to make sure, and perceived bill
costume.
"Oh!" she gasped- "Ohl Didn'
you have timel Where are you
trousers7"
"I-no-that-" he stammered-
that COMPOUNDED attendant stol'
them"
"Stoler"
Claimed the rules required him t
take my clothes to be pressed"
$50 that was It! That must be on
way they keep patients from runnin
OF. But it didn't stop you, you brav
hoy!''
Amy burst into gurgle Of 1rrepre,
sible mfrth.
"see here" he admonished. eve
II am"
Indeed no, not even IL you are N
brother. I mustn't see. LISTS rea
. " too sh-shocking!" This time Oh
startled the silence Of midnight wit
:. burst Of ringing laughter.
"Aiiss Lowrie!' he reproved In
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