The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-08-07


est array, his hair disordered, his
clothes grimed with dust and SCOT, from
which not even his face had escaped,
coolly examining her uncle's silver.
Spirit of Mrs Brown and Mrs. - the
other lady-inspire her.
Drop that or firer'
Tom turned with start. What he
saw was pretty girl in charming neg
| hge, whose voice and hand both shook
as she uttered this doughty threat, and
in whose face certain timid determine.
ton, a look of one frightened at her own
daring, appealed to his sense of humor.
But it would never do to laugh at her.
Besides, that pistol in her uncertain, I'M
familiar hand was no joke. So he said
with due humility:
81 surrender. But for heavens sake
put up that revolver! You are as likely
to shoot yourself as me-"
mot at ALL" evidently nettled. 'I
am perfectly accustomed to using it."
Need it be said that this was de,
liberate lie, uttered with intent of strik-
ing terror to the bosom of the robber?
For the same purpose Lolita continued
to level her pistol and eye him with
outward severity and not few inward
tremors, thinking withal that your
housebreaker is not the bold desperate
he is painted. Still keeping watch over
one is weary work, heigh-ho! Tom
rapidly determined to see the adventure
through. Time enough to make his
escape should she call for help or shou Id
any fresh complication arise. He hoped
she was not going to keep standing all
night. Presently he ventures to suggest
that she could mount guard over him
quite as well seated.
Lolita assented gladly. Her burglar
was quite a model, she thought. And
why should she incunber herself longer
with that unnecessary pistol, of which,
she acknowledged to herself. she was
much more afraid than was her pris-
onerp
Accordingly she laid it carefully down
within reach. Then, with what seemed
to Tom most amazing undertaking of
his strength, she announced her in
tention of holding him until assistance
should arrive.
To him the situation was not without
its charm. 1t does not often happen 10
any of US that pretty girl will insist On
sitting next us and holding our hands
and that she was pretty, exceedingly
pretty, Anstruther managed to satisfy
himself in spite of the stingY light.
Once or twice he addressed q remark
to his fair caotor, but she discouraged
all attempt at conversation. Ana 50
, they sat in, silence, while the candle
burned low and finally went out, and
the cold gray light of dawn crept into the
room. Even this did not cause Lolita
to change her position. And, looking
curiously at her, the young man discov-
cred that his stern guardian was asleep!
How long and dark were the lashes
resting on the fair cheek, be thought,
gazing down at the sweet, peaceful face
framed in its wealth of nut-brown hair.
Surely none of the young lady's ball
dresses could set off her beauty as did
that old blue wrapper.
Tom WAS strongly tempted, in his
character of robber, to steal kiss, but
there was certain odd chiyalry in his
composition that kept him from taking
any advantage of her inconsistencies.
He withdrew his hand from hers with
out awakening her-suoh cold. little, soft
hands And no wonder. The chill breath
of early morning made him SILVER, al
though it was June.
He might IS we'll make her comfort
able before he went. He CROPPED his
way into the hall. On the hat-stand
lay heavy shawl. In it he wrapped
his unconscious captor as well as he
could, then left through the still open
window.