The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1888-04-14
t'Halo PIER VII.
4 CIEW

There was popular play at one of the
city theatels that night and Norris attended
it. hoping to drown his own mental disturb
ance thereby, but ali through the perform
suce he found his thoughts wandering back
to the Childers, with his disappointment
rising fresh at not having seen Carol.
When the play WAS over, he took q Car for
the West side instead of going directly
home.
Just 2oeforeta1idnight, therefore, he might
nave been found lettering Oh the opposite
side OF the way, looking up at the darlzened
windows: wondering which one was nearest
her as sine slept Tine neighborhood kept
early hours, nota CLEAN of light shone from
any Of the surrounding houses, but sudden
IT,, like a will-o'-the-wisp, q glancing spark
went across tho glass above the entrance
door of the Cllilder home
Lyman had been sitting up late in his
den, pvooablv, AID was just now retiring.
With this thougllu in his mind. Norris
watched for the light to- 1eappeal i'll one Of
darkness there, He crossed the street and
went up close to tho steps; then tho vague
uneasinsss he had scarcely admitted turned
to uuick alarm as he saw that tho outer
door stood aiar.
He had his hand ON the bell, intending to
arouse the house, when q girls scream rang
ont shrll, and Il door slammed in the upper
part OF the house. That was enough for
Norris. kie rushed in, up the stairway, and
a ,nome,lt later was struggling in Ct des-
perate hand~to- hand conflict with an un-
seen adversary whom he had encountered
IN the darkness Of the upper hall.
The enenys first move was q vain eff
fort to shake him off; then the fellow be-
gan to 71sa q pair OF sledge-ha1nlner fists to
good effect Norris found himself getting
the worst of the encounter, but be hung
fast in spite Of the hard blows, and present
ly felt himself lifted from his feet and bent
backward over the balustrade which pro
tected the stairway. 1t was Gully by getting
his arms in a close grip about the OTHERS
neck that he saved himself from going
lanadlong into the hall below. As it was.
the solid walnut rail cracked and gave
way under their combined weight The
chances were all in favor Of a double fall
hut the burglar, still unable to get rid Of
that binding clasp, recovered himself and
reeled backward, and the struggle went on
Around and around. crashing against the
wall. going down together in a fall which
shook the house, twisting, striking, rolling
1T is doubtful If either OF them knew at
just what moment lights came upon the
scene, and the cu,nbaSants in the fray were
parted Tho burglar found himself in the
5r:s,sp Of a policeman, with irons neatly
claspsd on lis wrists. and as he stared into
the face CT his late foe. curses not loud but
deep issued from, his lips.
:'EIoyv tho mischief came you here!" he
growIeu ':If hadn't though TIT was Childe1:
hisself, I'd a-chawed youup in mighty short
order Blest il I don't think I've made a
mudile Of this business from beginning to
end
II rather think you have, my friend: and
if YOU con: want to make the 1nudlle worse,
you had better keep quiet. We will use all
you say against you, you may be sure"
It was IL gentleman who had arrived in
company with the officer who gave this