Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-12-31

ton arise. He hoped she was not going TO
keep him 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 cucumber herself with that I'M
necessary pistol, of which, she acknowl-
edge to herself she was much more afraid
than was her prisoner.
Accordingly she laid it carefully down
within reach Then, what seemed to Tom
a most amazing undertaking of his strength,
she announced her intention of holding him
until assistance should arrive.
To him the situation was not without its
charm, 1t does not often happen to any of
us that pretty girl will insist on sitting
next us and holding our hands-and that
she was pretty, exceedingly pretty. An
struther managed to satisfy himself in spite
of the stingy light.
Once or twice he addressed remark to
his fair captor, but she discouraged all at
tempt at conversation.
And so they sat in silence, while the can
die burned low and finally went out, and
then the cold gray light of dawn crept into
the room. Even this did not cause Lolita to
change her position. And, looking curl
ously at her, the young man discovered that
his fair guardian was asleep.
How long and dark were the lashes rest
ing on the fair cheek, he thought gazing
down at the sweet, peaceful face framed in
its wealth Of nut-brown hair. Sure 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 charac-
ter of robber to steal kiss, but there was
a certain odd chivalry in his composition
that kept him from taking any advantage of
herunconsciousness. He withdrew his hands
from hers without awakening her-such
cold, little, soft hands And no WONDER
The chill breath of early morning made him
shiver though it was June.
He might as well make her comfortable
before he went. lie CROPPED his way into
the hall. On the hat stand lay a heavy
shawl, In it he wrapped his unconscious
captor as well as he could, then left through
the still open window
II Miss Desmond was not the belle of the
college ball it was because, strictly speaking,
there was no longer bellies Of balls. But, in
the language of other young ladies, SHE ere
celved u great deal Of attention. And how
she did enjoy herself
About the eleventh hour her cousin Jim
begged to introduce his friend, Mr.. Ans
truther.
"Lotta's eyes grew large with establishment.
Mr.. Anstruther composedly requested the
pleasure of dance, and before she could
collect herself sufficiently to refuse, his arm
enciFcled her and they were gliding over
the polished floor in perfect time and meas
ure
"You have my step exactly" said Miss
Desmond, when they stopped
"Haye | 2 Then it must be a direct in
spration, for | never was known to keep
time with any one before"
Now did ever man waltz TO perfection
without knowing il? Lolita looked ut him
a little contempluonsy. Her thought did
him injustice. Tom was not affecting mod
esty, only making talk to keep off the ques-
ton he expected
"May take you into the library? There
is an anxious looking youth should like to
avoid, ] suspect that | have stolen his
dance"
"lf you have, you are only pursuing your
profession as a yobber," laughed Miss Des-
mond. "What were you doing that night
in uncle's dining roomY"
Then it all came ON, and Tom explained
and apologized, seated in an alcovc of the
great college library
"And how frightened you were when |
and the pistol appeared upon the sccnop
said the young lady maliciously.
81 was not" Indignantly.
"You turned pale"
"Thcn we must have been well-matched
pair for courage, The pistol shook 50 in
your hand that was afraid it would 90 Off
accidentally. That was the worst feature in
the case, for do not believe that yoa would
have been bloodthirsty enough to shoot me-"
81 am sure / would not. | was immense
ly relieved TO wake up and find my captive
fed"
"What did you doY
"Counted the spoons and went u bod"
"1he spoons were all right There was
but one thing stolen that night"
"Mercy! what was thatS'
"Only the burglars heart --senllmentally,
Lolita looked at him and began 10 laugh.
Then she said
"You might advertise for 1t as people do
for stolen articles. Yon might say, OF no
value to any one but the owner"
"Thank you, but am moisture that want
it returned" said Anstruther, laughing, too,
but letting his eyes rest upon her fair face
until the warm color surgod up beneath his
gaze,
Inou mast lnlel IN Oithcf eye
Would steal il back again."
he quoted low.
Lotta was a little glad as well as a good
deal sorry that her ill-used partner at this
moment appeared in the doorway.
"Before that fellow comes, can't you
promise me one more dancer murmured
Anstruther.
81 am engaged for all but the last. ! can
give you that one If you are going 10 stay
ill the end"
How Miss Desmond contrived 10 pacify
the rightful claimant, and how partner sue.
cceded partner until the end Of the evening,
need not be- told. II Is certain that she en-
joyed no dance as she did the last one with
Tom. And then Toms worst enemy could