The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-04-05

on the following Saturday sot her mind
completely at rest. She was really sorry
to hear John say, one morning:
Il think we had better take that run
down to Camdcn's to-day Wcmust 20
sometime this month, aud Of course YOU
won't want to go utter your sister
comes"
John, you know We cannot stay away
oil night; / gave Jenny leave Of ab-
sencc until Friday, and it won't do to
leave the house Alone"
I'll get Tom to come and sleep
here"
Mollie had no other reasonable OBJ
lection to offer ut this, 30 she prepared
to 60.
"Therc are three keys" said shc, as
they left tho house. "You can give ono
to Tom, and will leave one with Mrs.
Gates, next door. The house might
get on fire, and then II would bc better
to have key handy. SO they could get
in the house and bring the things ont. /"
YES" said John, sarcastily; "or /
might hiro o squad OF policemen to
watch the house day and night"
About IL o'clock that evening Miss
Amy Arden alighted from an express
and looked about tho depot as il ex-
pccting some one.
"They could not have received my
second postal" she concluded, after
waiting nearly half ON hour in the la
dies room. "Well, / can very easily
find the 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 Mollie and
john have gone? There was bright
light in the next house, and Amy re-
membered hearing her sister speak OF
her kind neighbor, Mrs. 0aSesl psfhaps
they were spending the evening With
her, or, at any rate. she might know Of
her whereabouts. Amy ran across tho
small grass plot which separated the
two cottages and rang the bell. Mrs.
Gates soon explained matters.
"iou do look little like Mrs. Acker-
man when you laugh" she said in con-
clusion, so suppose its all right to let
yon have the key; but she wasn't look
AHS AOu uHtli
"She probably did not receive my
second postal, which mailed yesterday
morning"
"Well, I'll give you the key, of course
but are you not afraid to stay alone in
the honse?"
"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 a
dreadful robbery on State street, and a
woman nearly killed. You are welcome
to come in and sleep on our parlor sofa,
ii you are afraid"
mo, thank you," Amy said. II will
risk it for one night, and you 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 every
thing was! Oh, If Mollie was only there
She took survey Of the rooms, the
neat kitchen last of all. where she con,
cluded to look for something to eat
Hark! what was thats 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 door opened
and shut quietly, and there were foot
steps in the hall. Amv's small stock ol
courage went down to zero. What
would happen next? Instinctively she
grasped the poker lying on the range
near her. The next instant the door
opened. and great broad-shouldered
man with hlackened face and hand,
stepped into the room. Amy felt her
self growing white with fear. hut sh,
raised her poker threatingly: for mo
mcnt they stared at each other in 81
lence. then the man spoke.
WHO the - are you?'
Amy tried to shrek for help, hut tn,
sound died a. Sav in her throat; she va
too thoroughly frightened to speak O
move.
Presently the man came toward her
| "Will You please lower the poker. 0
else move away from the sink? wonl,
like to come there aud wash my hands,
he said, looking very much inclined +
laugh.
Was ever such affrontery known be
fore? Still speechless, Amy move,
around toward what looked to be n
outside door.
"Dont glare ut mo in that frightfu
way" he went on, with glance int
her terror, stricken eyes. Il will loo
more presentable when get my fac
washed.s
Then came hearty langh. which n
assured Amy a very little. Certainl
this VAS most extraordinary burglal
or else there was some ridiculous mi,
take. She would ilee to Mrs. Gate
protection, ut all events, she though
dropping her weapon and tugging ava
ut the huge bolt with trembling finger
BY this time the young man ha
finished his ablutions, and presente
quite different appearance.
Il am Mr.. Ackerman's brother" /
said. politely: "he asked me to RENAL
in his house tonight, as u means Of pr
lection in his absence"
MIR. Ackerman has no brother" col
tra,licted Amy, stontly.
Are YOU sure Of that?"
Certainly am. Mrs. Ackerman HI
Just made me visit, and she won
have mentioned hlm il such perse
existed"
Can it he possible you are Aul
, Hetty:"
"Aunt Hetty, indeed.'
Amy was finding courage ani vol,
fast enough now.
II beg your pardon" said Tom; ID
| Mollie told me she was going 10 vi,
her Aunt Hetty. and you said she h'
|, been visiting YOU; hence my mistake
/ 81 am Mrs. Ackerman's sister,
"S.rangc never heard her speak
, you! However, am sorry l frighten
: you, Miss Miss Arden. and il you "
: allow me will explain matters. u
hookecper ut Bottoms hardware I
tablishment --"
, "You looked more hSs bootblAoh
|. interrupted Amy. ready TO cry VII