The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1920-01-22
73fe
Midnight Man
M
By GEORGE ELMER COBB
M
Copyright. 1913. by the Western News
paper Union.)

When Robert Ward was taken III 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 a 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 1t 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.
Durand was taken Ill and died. While
saying little, as was his way, Ward
deeply sympathized in the fervent
grief Of 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.
ut will be necessary to sell all OF
the furniture and lease in order to pay
the debts" he said.
81 don't know what I shall do"
spoke Lucille depressedly.
81 have tried to think out a way for
you" replied Ward 81 am man Of
few words and can condense my rec
ommendation briefly. Marry me-"
She regarded him In profound won.
derment. Then a slight flush over
spread her sorrowful face, but she re-
manned silent.
"You know little of me-" proceeded
Ward, "and I shall tell you nothing
more than that I am an honest. re.
spectacle man of clear record with
great liking for you and 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 1t the object Of my
life to bring you happiness"
They were welded and settled down
in a pretty cottage at Everdeen, q
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 neighbors be-
gan to get curious and designated him
as "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
years7"
A nameless dread chilled Lucille's
heart. Penitentisry! Had her hus.
band been an inmate of a penal insti-
tution-a criminal, a convict!
A few days later Lucille endured
new distress of spirit. At their little
home her husband had a 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 a set of
burglars tools. She fed 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 a strange noise In the den. She
threw open the door of the den and
the light from the other room revealed
q startling sight.
A man had got half through the 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 a thief,
Lucille realized. She acted speedily,
bravely. SEEKING the pair of handouts
from the cabinet she rushed at him
and slipped them over his wrists and
then held him at bay with leveled
weapon.
"Come quick!" she cried breathless-
ly, as she heard the footsteps of her
husband on the porch, and fluttered
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 incrim-
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 a years work 1 have
traced down the hundreds Of thou
sands of dollars of which the Trust
has swindled the government"
He coolly released the captive and
thrust him out of the house. Then he
turned to Lucille with his customary
welcoming kiss.
my brave little woman he COM
mended, you faced a desperate GRIM
inal, for that man Is a dangerous con-
Wet, once in my keeping when I was
. prison warden"
"And not an inmate" With q Wild