The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1928-01-13

looking so white and agitated that
Nicely and Nettie sprang up greatly
startled, and even Susie looked at him
inQuiringly.
Il was held up and robbed" he
announced. "Not two mile up the
road yeti"
Zach! Was you hurt?" cried Net
tie in a fright, running to him.
mo, I amt hurt. And / amt lost
nothin' neither! / held the crook up
and got back what was stole of OF
mel That's what l done!"
"Ach, Pop!" Nettie gasped in min
gied terror and admiration.
X "Good thing l took my revolver
With 1t amt safe, these rough times,
to travel at night without a gun
along!"
He told them, then, as he removed
his hat, coat and gloves, just what
happened-giving his story dra-
matte climax. SNOW, them says to
him, you hand out that there watch
and then you run for your lifer
says. And he did With that there
revolver of mine in his face, he done
what I toll him and pretty quick
about it too! Yes, and guess he's
runnin' yet!
Eyes, well, but" Susie stolidly
spoke to him over her shoulder, you
didn't take your watch along. You
let it at home. You forgot it. There
it lays" She thrust her thumb back
ward toward small shelf which held
a convenient comb and brush for fam
lily use.
Her husband stared at her incredu-
lousy as she calmly rocked her sleep
ing infant-then, desperately hoping
to prove her words false, he fearfully
drew from his pocket the watch he de-
manded from the stranger, and slowly,
reluctantly, he let his eyes fall upon it.
1t was not his!
Such a watch 1t was as he could
never hope, nor even wish, to own.
Gold, jeweled, initiated.
In a stride he stood before the shelf
and beheld his own accusing watch.
81 was sayin' to Nettie," said Susie.
"that you'd be awful put out at goin'
without your watch along"
"And never oncet missed It'll" the
wretched man murmured.
"But-why, my lands" faltered
Nettie, s.this here's got an awful look!
like as if you'd held that there man
up and stole his watch, Pop!"
And / don't know who it is to give
it back!" Mr.. Schwenckton's voice
was agonized. "If / never find him,
it'll make me feel awful conscientious
to keep his watch! II, vi, VII" he
shook his head and began agitatedly
to pace the length Of the kitchen.
"Oh, you'll have no trouble finding
him, Mr.. Schwenckton," said Nicely
encouragingly. "Heli of course report
to the police and they'll easily trace
you up"
"Yes, and arrest me for a thief
vet" exclaimed Mr.. SchwencktOn.
"Ill tell you'll" cried Nicely. "You
report to the police, Mr.. Schwenck-
ton, and tell them Of your mistake
and that you want them to find the
man. That will Sc D YOU"
! Mr.. Schwenckton stopped in his agi-
tated walking to and fro, and looked
at Nicely admiringly. you're got
the head on you, Nicely! didn't
think that far myself. Educators q
a grand help to a body in this here
life! That's what I'll do this self
same minute!"
He went to the telephone, but found
the line busy"
"Delay may be fatal" said Medley
anxiously. 'You must report it before
he does. He has had good deal OF
time already-all the time you've been
home unloading your car and putting
1t in the garage-and the time you've
been in the house"
eyes, we'll, but / don't think he'll
be reportin' it very soon-I started
him on a good run and 1 guess he's
still runnin'!"
It was at this instant that they were
all startled by a rap on the kitchen
door, and before anyone could answer
it, the door opened and wet, be-
draggled and very tired-looking young
man almost staggered into the room.
closing the door behind him and lean
ing against it heavily.
(To BE CoNTINUED)