The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-05-14

John, you know we cannot stay away
all night; | gave Jenny leave of absence
until Friday, and it won't do to leave
the house alone.
'1H get Tom to come and sleep
here
ton to offer after this. SO she prepared
to e.; 49,, .,...
to Tom, and win leave one with Mrs.
Gates, next door. The house might get
on fire, and then it would be better to
hare key handy, so they could get in
The house and bring out the things
YES" said John, sarcastically; :sor I
might hire a squad of policemen to watch
the house day and night"
About eleven o clock that evening Miss
Amy Arden alighted from an express
and looked about the depot rs If expect
ing some one.
They could not have received my
second postal she concluded, after
waiting nearly half an hour in the ladies'
room. "Wen. / can very easily find
their house."
A hack soon deposited her in front of
the pretty cottage on Lake street; all
was dark, and Amy pulled the bell sew
eral times without hearing sound from
within. Where could Noble and John
have gomez There was bright light in
the next house, and Amy remembered
hearing her sister speak of her kind
rieighbor. Mrs. Gates; perhaps they were
spending the evening with her, or, at
any rate, she might know of their where
abouts. Amy ran across the small grass
plot which separated the two cottages,
and rang the bell. Mrs. Gates soon ex-
planned matters.
you do look little like Mrs. Acker-
man when you laugh she said in con-
clusion, $50 suppose it's alright to let
you have the key; but she wasn't look
ing for you until Saturday,
'.She probably did not receive my sec
ond postal which. mailed yesterday
morning"
well, I'll give You the key, of course;
but are you not afraid to stay alone In
the ,house?''
''Oh, I'm not at all timid," laughed
Amy.
..But there's gang of burglars about
the city, urged Mrs. Gates. They've
been in three houses on this street, and
only last Sunday night there was dread
full robbery on State street, and woman
nearly killed. You are welcome tocome
in and sleep on our parlor. sofan you
are afraid
.sNo. thank you," Amy said. 81 will
risk it for one night, and ven say John
and Mollie will return tomorrow"
She let herself into the deserted house,
not without some thrills of fear it must
be. confessed. How quiet everything
was! Oh, if Mollie were only therei She
took a survey of the rooms, the neat
kitchen last of all, where she concluded
to look for something to eat. Harks
what was that? Only the silver-toned
clock, striking the midnight hour.
THAT woman's talk about burglars
has made me nervous" she thought,
continuing her search for eatableS.
Hark, again! Surely that was key
turning in lock; then a door opened
and shut quietly. and there were foot
steps in the hall. Amy's small stock
of courage went down to zero What
would happen next? Instinctiyely she
grasped the poker lying on the range near
her. The next instant the door opened,
and great broad-shouldered man with
blackened face and hands stepped into.
the room. Amy felt herself growing
white with fear, but she raised her poker
threateningly; for moment they stared
at each other in silence, then the man
spoke
"Who the-who are you?''
Amy tried to shrek for help, but the
sound died away in her throat; she was
too thoroughly frightened 10 speak or.
move.
Presently the man came toward her.
s.Will you please lower the poker, or
else move away from the sink? / would
like to come there and wash my hands,"
he said, looking very much inclined to
laugh.
Was ever such effrontery known be-
foreP Still speeches., Amy moved around
toward what looked to be an outside
door.
Don't glare at me in that frightful
way" he went on with a glance into her
terror-stricken eyes. II will look more
presentable when get my face wash
ed.''
Then came hearty laugh which IRE
assured Amy very little. Certainly
this was a most extraordinary burglar,
or else there was some ridiculous mis-
take. She would flee to Mrs Gates
protection at all events, she thought,
dropping her weapon and Juggling away
at the huge bolt with trembling fingers
BY this time the young man had fin
ished his additions. and presented quite
n different aDpearance.
II am Mr.. Ackerman's brother" he
said politely; ''he asked me to remain
in his house tonight, as a means of pro-
lection in his ABSENCE
"Mr. Alderman has no brother" con-
tradicted Amy, stoutly.
care YOU sure of that?"
Certainly arm. Mrs. Alderman has
just made me visit, and she would
have mentioned him if such n person
existed
.'Can it be possible you are Aunt Het-
typ"
'sAunt Hetty indeedi'
Amy was finding courage and voice
fast enough now.
Il beg your pardon" said Tom; but
Mollie told me she was going to visit her
Aunt IIetty, and you said she had been
visiting you; hence my mistake
II am Mrs. Ackerman's sister"
ssStrange / never heard her speak OF
you! However, am sorry frightened
YOU, Miss-Miss Arden, and if you viii
allow me will explain matters. am
book-kceper at Bottoms hardware es-
tablishment-'
You looked more like a boot black"
interrupted Amy, ready to cry with vex-
alton and nervousness.
..Or BURGLAR added Tom. well,
as / was saving, am book-keeper there,
but there was a press of work in the
foundry tonight, and as they happened
to be short of hands offered stay and
assist. this accounts for nv late arrival,