Evening star., 1929-08-30
THE EVENING
STORY
The Sorrows of Job.

Ihe SorroWS OF Jo0.
Janice Reid was small and delicate
looking, but her husband often said she
was the biggest person of her size in the
world. Certainly she poured out on
brown haired, laughing-eyed Ned all the
love Of q generous, devoted heart.
She and Ned had played together as
children and been boy and girl sweet
hearts. When Smith 81 Reid failed and
Ned, though only a junior partner, lost
all he had in the world, it was Janice
him. She suggested that they start life
over on farm. and a years experience
proved her advice sound. They came to
love the little old farmhouse, which was
their new home, and did not begrudge
the hard toll that made 1t possible. Be-
sides the ordinary crops, they were
selling cream to a dairy company, eggs
and fresh vegetables to the nearest city
and already their business showed
profit.
But when the first payment on the
mortgage was due the young farmers
declared holiday. Early in the morn
ing they drove to Bonneville, 10 miles
distant, and in the small country bank
drew out 500 of their hard-earred
money. They were not only able to pay
the interest but to reduce the mortgage
5000. To the delight Of all the friendly,
interested onlookers. Janice reached UP
and kissed the proud husband and bust
ness partner.
They laughed much on the way home,
chiefly at ancient Mr.. Sampson, holder
Of the mortgage. who had refused to ac-
cept q check in payment. They had
perforce got the cash and his son was to
come for 1t that afternoon.
After dinner we'll sit on the porch
in our best clothes and wait for Jake
Sampson" they decided.
But as they were finishing the meal
John Webb their nearest neighbor, tele-
phoned. He wants me to come over
and help him fix Lizzie" Ned explained,
grinning Janice knew that Ned and
John enjoyed nothing more than tink-
ering with a car. taking it apart and
putting it together again. Go by all
means, but don't stay long" she smiled
indulgently as TO child.
sit on this" and he passed over the
plump billfold.
A sudden twinge of apprehension shot
through Janice. DO you suppose there's
any danger?" she asked. Everybody in
Bonneville knows about the mortgage
money"
Sure it's safe" he laughed IF you
see anybody lurking around phone me,
quick"
I'm not really worried" she reas-
sured him. I'm Just not used to being
half mile from the nearest neighbor."
After Ned had gone Janice cleared
the table and sat down to wait for the
dishwater to heat. How quiet the coun-
try was! Around the corner of the
kitchen a hen was clucking gently to
her brood. There was not another
sound. All nature seemed sleeping In
the heat of midday.
Then Janice started. A board had
creaked directly above her head. The
girl was on her feet instantly. listening
intently. Another faint sound, like q
muffled football was audible. Janice
stood. her hands clasped tightly, her
breath coming in little gasps- Some
body was upstairs in their room, some
body who had got in and concealed
himself before she and Ned returned
home. And she was alone with the
money.
She seized the bill-fold. put it down
the neck of her dress. That money was
precious! If only she dared phone Ned.
But the man could hear If she phoned,
could see If she attempted to run, and
if she locked him in the bedroom above
he could easily get out over the porch
roof. She was trapped in her own
him believe his presence unknown.
Straining her ears, she heard another
faint creak. He was listening at the
door above. waiting his time. Then a
desperate plan flashed through Janice's
mind. Choking back her tears, she
crossed the big kitchen, and with tren-
bling fingers rang the clumsy, life
saving country phone.
Short-short-loud; short-short-lon
Why, oh why, didn't somebody answer?
Than came gruff Hello"
"Oh. john" she forced herself to
speak lightly, and laughed. Il forgot to
tell Ned something important. Get him
to the phone, won't you?"
An instant's wait, while she again
laughed as though much amused about
something.
"Well?S Ned's voice was anxious.
Ned" she said loudly and brightly.
"The funniest thing! forgot to remind
you to bring my book back that Edna
borrowed 1t is called The Sorrows Of
job The Sorrows of job Ned. Get
that title?"
Great heavens! What do you
msan?" He spoke hoarsely. fright
enedly.
THE Sorrows Of job Ned. Get it at
once. Bring it quietly-when you come
home"
I'll be there at once. Keep your
nerve!'
"By-by," she cooed into the receiver.
With much noise she began a pretense
of dish-washing. his eyes strained in
the direction Of Johns expected ap-
proach and with a heavy wooden roll
ing-pin convenient to her hand. If the
man would only wait five minutes. A
cup slipped through her fingers. shat
on fho n4nNkaH q
Gus scream. then sobbed in quick re-
lief as she saw two bent-over figures
approaching at run-Ned and John.
Janice began humming loudly. Again
she heard the tell-tale creaking board
in the floor above. The man was ap-
parently still listening from the door Of
the room, but he was getting impatient.
A louder creak at the head of the stairs
he was coming down!
Slipping quickly to the back door,
Janice motioned frantically and the
two men, painting, took their stations
by the door OF the old built-in stair
way just an instant before it opened
and cloSe-cropped bullet-headed in
dividual sneaked forth.
With a yell Ned fell upon him. John
helped subdue the wildly struggling
man, who, taken completely by sur
prise, and outnumbered two to one, was
quickly bound hand and foot.
We'll all hop in Lizzie and take the
rascal to JAIL" cried vengeful Ned. But,
first, just q minute" John cried.
bewildered. How in heck did you
know he was here?"
Janice laughed shakily and Ned
tightened his arms about her as he
answered. When we were kids AMI
played Indians and pirates and suci1,
We had watchword that meant 7 am
in danger. help me- The watchword
was The Sorrows of job When Janice
said The Sorrows of Job knew she
was in danger, and since she didn't
dare say what the matter was I knew
1t must be some one who could hear
her phoning. Naturally guessed there
was thief after the money
nln fn