The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-03-30

''BrianP' she gasped, "tbat man was
trying to rob-perhaps to murder usr'
''The deuce he was," was Mr.. Kirkpat-
riek's terse rejoinder; and then be stood
staring at his cousins attire in amazement.
A burst of uncomfortable laughter broke
the charm at last.
'Neelyp' Brian CRIED '.for the love of
heaven, what are you doing with those
clothes on ?"
''That man there she murmared faint
ly. pointing to her would be victim, "he's
burglar, Brianl'
mot much. That's my friend, Mr..
Nigel NcAlpine. We came by the eleven
O'Clock train. had to stop and tell Bates
about the horse, so gave Nigel my night
key and sent him Cd ahead And do you
mean to tell me you took him for burg
lar? Ha! hai hal That's rich,'
"And came pretty near shooting me,
toop' exclaimed Nigel, glaneiug ruefully
at the pistol, which was lying where it had
fallen.
A vivid crimson flooded Neely's face as
she glanced down at her masculine habili-
ments and felt pair oflaughing eyes fixed
upon her in mingled amusement and sur
prise.
'I-I-thought--he was a robber!" she
stammered; and then flew precipitately
upstairs. But she almost fell on the sec
ond landing over little white robed fig
ure that lay in limp heap upon the floor
Brian, she cried, in choking voice,
''come up here. Susie has tainted. But
don't you-don't You dare TO bring that
man along" Nigel stepped into the par
Tor and honestly tried not to laugh, but
failed gnominiously.
sBy Joyei" he exclaimed, Il had mar
row escape. She must be plucky little
thing, and she did look pretty with all
that golden hair tumbling about her--in
spite of the clothes
Susie came out of her faint shortly, and
lay back on the pillows where they had
placed her. looking rather the worse for
the shock she had had.
heroine of the adventure, as she buried
her head in the bed clothes. II never In
this world shall be able to look him in the
face agaia''
But Of course, she had to meet him the
next morning.
Il am sorry | frightened you. Miss
Blanchard Nigel said, trying to look at
the lovely, blushing face opposite without
ghost of smile.
Il can't see how Brian came to let you
come alone" she said, severely. HE
might have known we should be fright
ened y
81 can't see what his coming alone had
to do with it,, Brian observed, serenely.
1T wouldn't have helped matters if there
had been two burglars. instead of one.
But have you missed anything this morn
ing, Sister Susan? Dear knows but he
did commit some petty larceny when he
was skylarking about here all by himself. "
Nicely preserved dignified silence, and
no efforts to draw her ont were successful.
"Why do you avoid me?'' Nigel said to
her one day. when several weeks had
passed without his being able to win her
favor If you will excuse my saying So
think you act very f0olisbly about
about triiie."
Il will not excuse your saying soF'
Nicely answered, with heightened color.
Il claim the privilege of regulating my
own conduct, Mr.. McAipine'
IF you knew what I thought of it all,
You would not speak to me like that" he
said, gravely From the first | admired
your courage. think that was one of
the pluckiest things ever knew a woman
to do.
Thank your' she said, stiffly, and the
subject dropped.
The weeks went by, and the judge and
Mrs. Kirkpatrick were expected home
from Europe. Brian went to New York
to meet them He was to be gone several
days; but, as Nigel McAlpine remained
behind, the girls were not afraid to let
Brian go.
The second night after Brian's departure,
Nicely sat mp in the library, rather late,
writing letter. When she had sealed
and addressed it, she blew out the light
and flung herself down in great easy
chair before the fire.
The Goals were glowing beautifully, but
as she looked at them they seemed to fade
away one by one, till at last she was en-
veloped in the impenetrable darkness of
slumber.
1t was almost an hour later that she was
aroused from her sleep by slight toueh
on the shoulder.
As she started up, she saw Nigel Me-
Alpine bending over her
miss Blanchard, he whispered, while
he warned her with gesture to keep per-
fectly quiet, ''there is some one in the
house---a real robber this timep'
A momentaiy CLEAN of amusement
shone in his eyes, but it died away almost
Take this, he said, thrusting Br.an's
pistol into her hand. at will shoot now.
But stay where you sre- no, get behind
this screen -
He took her by the arm and, with per-