St. Landry democrat., 1890-08-23
sciousness remained cruelty keen-no

heard some tools, and in another minut
tbs door slowly opened, as of itself. letting
in flood of silver light. There was, how
ever, no one to be seen. The blood surget
to Drusillas head, ringing in her ears ant
dimming her sight for a moment; the1
she was able to distinguish black objec
projecting from the side of the door l
was evidently some one trying to peer in
while exposing as little as possible of hi
| person. A few minutes inspection seemed
to satisfy the intruder that he NIGH,
safely proceed with his errand, and he en-
tered.
He was rather short, slender man, with
handkerchief enveloping the lower part
of his face and SLOUGH hat shading the
upper part.
He explored the place thoroughly and
came out of her room last, evidently per
picked at finding the place deserted.
The closeness and heat seemed to OPP
press him, for he took off his hat, and I'M
wound the handkerchief from his face
and laid them, with his revolver, on the
table He was standing with his back to
Drusilla as he did this, and something in
his head and move seemed not unfamiliar
to her She leaned forward when he
turned around and, as the light shone in
his face, she drew quick breath for she
recognized clerk at the bank at Hobbs
vile. little meek. unsuccessful man
he had always seemed to her to be, with
watery blue eyes and pale yellow hair and
skin.
Her courage came back to her instantly
1t even struck her as ludicrous that he
should be turning burg1ar-such a strange
specimen of robber!
Grasping her revolver she pointed it at
him, and, leaning slightly out of the open
ing, said in firm voice: ''Mr. Villa, hold
up your hands, instantly, or | shoot!"
He started as if she had already shot
him, and up went his bling,
meager hands-while he gazed about for
the origin of the voice.
I'm up here, Mr. Vila," Drusilla called,
"and if your hands 60 down an inch |
promise you I'll shoot. My brother hasn't
given me lessons in aiming and firing re-
volver for nothing"
The wretcbed man said nothing but
gazed at the white BLUR of her face, CLEAN
ing family at him through the darkness
above.
She was silent for moment, cogi'ating
what to say.
What made you do this2" she finally
asked.
I'm broke! dead broker he checked, ar d
hung his head "No man ever had such
darned hard luck as I've had il my life
I've tried to keep straight. l was brought
up all right, but every thing l ever got
a hold of turned to sand. | don't care if
you do shoot. I'd rather be shot than ar
rested and sent to prison, cause of my
folks feelings" He spoke del !csedly
And Sc you thought this nice way to
do. Mr.. Vila2' queried Drusilla, complete
ly in possession of herself once more.
He did not answer but stood with his
hands held Imply up-a most forlorn and
abject spectacle!
We'll, Mr.. Villa, I'm not going to arrest
you," she smiled to herself at the idea,
but I'm going to let you go. How much
money have you with your,
"All have in the world-50 cents. Not
much after working since | was twelve,
and me going on thirty three And
don't never touch liquor, hardly, nor gam
bic much"
'If give you $2-tsn't much, know,
ou5 it will help you-wili you go away
and never show your face here again?" she
asked.
"Well, you may just bet your life |
won't come around here again soon if you
will let me off p he said, with more en-
'rgy than he had yet shown.
"Well, I'll throw down the $2 and you
,an pick them up and walk out of the
door without going near the table"
eyes, | suppose SO" he said listlessly,
II must start out without my hat"
First tell me-" said Drusilla, as she.
poised the two silver dollars before letting
hem drop, ''where you got the idea of
coming to rob us?'
"Oh, saw Mr.. Myrick at the bank this
loon, and heard about his subpenas, and
knew he'd drawn some money short
while ago, and thought twas likely
low's he'd-how you were alone-and-
he stammered
Eyes, / see! well, here are your SO, and
please hurry up and go away, Mr. Villa,
md take my advice and don't try this sort
IT thing again, for you won't find every
body like me in case you are caught and |
please keep whistling as you go away, SO
hat | may know that you really do go,
md don't stop for ten minutes"
81 won't hurt you, anyway, and thank |
'ou kindly for the money" He stopped |
md picked it up.
I'm that faint for bit of food that |
don't know as can go far" he con-
inued.
Drusilla actually laughed at this. "Was
here every burglar before who came TO I
OBJ. and murder, if necessary, and staid to
reg for bread2 Well, there on tbs shelf
s some bread! No; don't go near the ia
'lel It's on those shelves. Hurry up and
%, now"
"Thank you, Miss Myrick, and good
we" he said, alphabetically, as he passed
hrongh the door,
whistle" Drusilla called after him,
nd whistle he did, the shrill sound get
ing fainter and fainter.
Still strong with excitement, Drusilla
laced the ladder in position and hastily I
escended it, holding the revolver in her
light hand.
Afar off on the moonlit plain she saw
rom her window, Villas stumbling figure
talking away with swift but uncertain
teps. As she saw him really going her
ervous strength suddenly departed. A
nightly surging blackness roared around
or, and she fell in the first faint she had
yer known.
When she came to herself, the pale,
dawn shown in on her as
he lay ON her back, gazing straight up
ito the tender pink sky. But what leap
er heart gave when at length she saw
istance figure on horseback speeding to-
'ard her.
'.Robl Robl" she cried, involuntarily.
"Well, hello, Drusel Here we are
gaiRi Such ride as we had What do
on tl'inkl The bank there was robbed,
nd who do you think did it? You'll never
uess, SO I'll tell you. 1t was that mean,
neaking, little villain, Vial"
Drnse screamed right out
t.That'S riphtl knew I'd hahharrask