The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1920-12-17
q
Midnight Man
(A<D
By GEORGE ELMER COBB
1919, BY the western New
paper Cnion.)

| When Robert Ward was taken i'll In
the boarding house Of Mrs. Mary Du-
rand. that motherly hearted lady was
solicitous and helpful. There was
something about the silent, dignified
man that enforced respect. and his
| attentions to her daughter. Lucille,
| delicate and sincere. had won the lat
ter, too.
Mrs. Durand was a widow and had
hard time getting along and Lucille
worked with ZeSt and uncomplain-
ingly. 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 It was his de-
light afternoons TO leave the door Of
his room open while Lucille in the
parlor played for him his favorite
tunes.
Just as Ward was getting Well Mrs.
pnrand was taken i'll and died. While
saying little. as was his way. Ward
deeply SympathiZed in the fervent
grief OF the stricken orphan girl Mrs.
purand had died deeply in debt. He
volunteered to clear ~ her affairs as
much as possible without distressing
Lucille.
ut will be necessary TO sell all OF
The furniture and lease in order to pay
the debts. he said
II don't know what l shall do"
spoke Lucille depressedly.
II have tried to think out a way for
you" replied Wall ~ am Il man of
few words and ear condenSe my rec
ommendation hrieily. 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. "and shall tell you nothing
more than that | am an honest. re-
spectacle man of clear record with
great liking for you and a fair income.
do not suppose you feel anything
deeper for me than the kindly Interest
in everybody that is natural to you,
but shall make it the object Of my
life to bring you happiness"
They We're welded and settled down
in pretty cottage at Everdeen. a
quiet suburb. Ward was all that was
chivalric 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 be SO that the neighhors 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 OH 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 nalneless dread chilled Lucille's
heart. Penitentiary. Had her hus-
band been an inmate of penal insti-
tution-a criminal, a convict.
A few days later Lucille endured
new distress Of spirit. At their little
home her husband had room which
held some bookcases. a desk. and
which was his special den. Lucille
found the door open. She crossed the
room to open the window for ventila-
ton and could not help but notice in
an open cabinet weapons. handouts.
| and what She decided was set of
, burglars tools. She fled precipitately
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
, q startling sight.
4 man had got half through the out
side window and the sash, with an
old-fashi"ned catch. had imprisoned
: him there, his body half in the room.
: He could be nothing less than thief.
l Lucille realized. She acted speedily.
!. bravely. Selling the pair of handouts
. from the cabinet she rushed at him
I and slipped them over his wrists and
( then held him at bay with a leveled
= weapon.
= "Come quick :" she cried breathless-
~, as she heard the footsteps OF her
5 husband on the porch, and fluttered
{ forth her sensational story as Ward
e entered the room.
: "One Of the spies Of the Trust, en- =
d spoke Ward. after keen glance at the
z captive. After some Of my incrim
: mating papers? Well, they this day
e pAssed into the hands of the govern
e ment, and the case will come on to
l morrow. Your occupation is gone, m.
man, for after years work l have
q traced down the hundreds Of thou
q sands Of dollars of which the Trust
8 has swindled the government"
: He c0oiiy released the captive ant
thrust him out of the house. Then hi
:. turned to Lucille with his customar,
e welcoming kiss.
. My brave little woman he com
:. mended, "you faced a desperate Grim