Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-12-11

IN TWO PARTS-PART ONE
JANET rs RECOMPENSED
FOR A HOLIDAY SPENT
AS A BANDITS PRISONER.
YEARLY everyone I'm the small
! n holiday, with the exception Of
Charles Bevana For the past
eight months, he had been lying I'm 3
back ground floor fiat, which looked
out into the well Of the courtyard. He
disitked reading, 50 had nothing 70 do
but listen TO the rush Of bakhwaker
down the pipes, from six O'Clock I'm the
morning, and TO watch the lights APP
pear in the opposite building, unf1 the
final eclipse.
The walls were so thick that he could
not hear voices or footsteps Of the
other tenants. He had few visitors, and
| depended mainly on the society Of the
| porter-Tory-an his wife, who looked
| after him. That was his life.
In the circumstances, it was hardly
surprising that his energy had corroded
to mental irritation, his ambition had
turned to poison and all hope had
soured and died. On this particular
hot August morning he had sunk to a
stage when he doubted not only the
doctors assurance of his ultimate re-
covery-but his own power TO en-
dure
At the top of the building, Janet
LeWis-the girl in a fifth floor flat
was going on a holiday. She did not
want to go, but as there was a lull In
her tipping commissions, It seemed
prudent to take advantage Of the
chance, for reasons of health.
Her suitcase was packed and lay on
A1,o TIrr,,-s fy1cirn fIa fro rocr1aQr7 lift
placed a note to Mrs. Tory, who
shopped for her, asking her to send
up no more provisions until further
notice Before she left, she was finish
ing an article intended for woman'S
journal, which contained hints on holi-
day preparations.
AS she typed it she checked its points
for her own benefit.
Turn off the gas, water and cleo
tricity at the mains" She would do
this Just before she left.
make provisions for pets" She had
none, for lack of room.
dispose Of all perishable food"
While she thought OF 1t, she would
crumble up the remains OF the LOAF Tor
plate in hand. she unlocked her front
door and ran up the last flight OF
stairs to the roof. 1t was hot weather
and she gazed down at the forest OF
chimneys pricking through the smoky
haze, she suddenly realized that she
was stale and overworked.
In spite of her youth, she had KNOWN
the horrors Of poverty, as result OF
which she had begun Twenty years
plan. This involved continuous work
to secure an annuity at the age OF ~,
when she would live in a cottage IN the
country and grow her own spinach.
Although she was sacrificing every
thing to her purpoSe-lelSure, exercise
and anuSement-She remained sur
T1risiuply healthy and attractive, with
fresh cOloriIlg which accompanied tne
dash of red in her brown hair. she was
too hligv to worry or question, w1lle
her nat which consisted Of two rooms
"a living room and kitchen, with
a hall which held the usual offices-
seemed luxury apartment 70 ner.
But as she looked down at the cry,
for the first time, she welcomed the
prospect Of a holiday, when she woulo
Be free to wander, according TO her
whim and without a single plan
Next door to the mansion flats, the
cashier of q small branch bank was
thinking also OF his noioay. ne na ss
hooked rooms at EaStbourne ana was
due to meet his wife and young family
at victoria station In half an hour.
Anticipating his emancipation, ne was
wearing gray flannel bags and he
sported in his button hole an orange
carnation from his garden
There remained only two minutes 10
closing time, so he looked up VIII
Slight frown, at the entrance OF a laCe
conner.
THE man walked up to the counter,
bilt instead Of q check, he presented a
heE Even as he realized he was being
held up. the cashier rushed at the
bandit. The next second. ne lay
crumpled up on the floor with nuilet
in his brain
THE bandit worked swiftly, but even
as he packed his bag, the alarm was
time to see his partner scorcn away ~
the car, either to save his own ski
or TO draw the pursuit. anic-strlcken,
he darted into the entrance han OF gne
mansion flats and tore up flight aIger
flioht of stairs, until he reached the
haven Of an open door.
A minute later, Janet ran down rom
the roof and entered her flat. Inc IlrsC
thing she saw was leather pag Oh
the floor Of the hall. She was wondering
where IL came from, when someone
behind her sprang on her and gr1ppeo
her throat.
zone soueaI and you're dead" he
whispered. eve Just killed man"
Too stunned with shock to feel fear
she realized the strength OF his posi-
fjoI, re could shoot her and be m
s sIyT. HE to reprisal, since the law
could not hang him twice.
She was beginning to choke, wnen
che heard the sound Of heavy footsteps
ringing out on the stone stairs. ,.S
Thev stopped on the fifth floor lano-
mo and then someone hammered on
her door. ,s
@open the door," the killer whispered
fiercely. o4o,
AS he spoke, she felt q ring OF me t,sa |
AGAINST her back. Flinching from Inc
e oseS, r,trf she drew back the eaten OF
the lock with trembling fingers
The porter and policeman $1,000
outside; both were out Of breath ans, aR1 |
appeared hot. She looked 81 10y ny s wasn
heseechino eyes as he mopped MS facs. |
AIfhough she could touch him, sne VIZ
divided from him by gun sne cOOAo