Arizona republican., 1891-12-27
AHIGHWAYMANSJULIET

The house in question was what Peter fine Scholar (who corrects my proof sheets) calls one of the rusinurby sort the front facing a street and the back looking over a turfed garden, with lime tree or two, a laburnum, and a n,yu tennis court marked out, its white lines plain Co see in the starlight. At tle end of the garden door, painted dark green, led into narrow lane be- tween high walls, where, if two persons met. one had to turn sideways to let the other pass. The entrance to this lane was cut in two by wooden post about The height of your hip, and just beyond this. in the high road, George was wait ing for us with the dog cart.
 w.. bad picked the usual time-the dinner hour. It had just turned dark WAS climing the quarter after eight when Pc.gr and let ourselves in by the green door spoke of and felt along the wall for the gardeners ladder that we knew was hanging there A simpler iub there never was. The bedroom win dow qn tue lirstne or stood right open to ,cl n,ge | at.,, and iB I3e was. a faint cmGlehs,S,iickering, just as a careless maid will leave them after her mistress has gone down to dinner To be sure, there was a chance of her coming back to put them out, but we could hear her voice going in the servants hall as We lifted the ladder and rested it against the sill
 Shes good for half an hour yet" Peter whispered, holding the ladder while began to climb; but if l hear her voice stop, m give the signal to be cautious" | went up softly, pushed my head gently above the level of the sill and looked lu.
 lt was a roomy place, with q great half tester bed, hung with curtains standing out from the wall on my rig, The curtains were of chintz, dark back. ground, with flaming red peoples spraw- ling over 1t, and the farther curtain hid the dressing table and the candles upon it and the jewel case that l confidently hoped b stand upon it also. A bright Brussels carpet covered the floor, and the wall paper, l remember-though, for the life of me, l can not tell why-was a pale gray ground, worked up to initiate watarcl silk, with sprigs of gilt honey suck.e upon it.
 looked around and listened for half a minute. The house was still as death up hcre-uot a sound in the room or in the passages beyond. With q nod to Peter tO hold the ladder firm lifted one leg over the sill, then the other, dropped my fee. carefully upon the thick carpet and went quickly around the bed to the dressing aa.n.
 But at | tis corner, and as soon as ever ! saw uoaui the chintz curtain, my knees gave way, and ] put out hand toward the balpost.
 Before tl. dressing table, and in front Of the big glass in which she could see luy white face, was an old lady seated.
 She wore blaze of jewels and a low gown, out of which rose the scraggiest neck and shoulders have ever looked on. Her hair was thick with black dye and fastened with diamond star. Be. tween the two candies the powder show ed on her cheek bones like flour on a millers coat. Chin on hand, she was gazing steadily into the mirror before her, and, even in my fright, had time to note that a glass of sherry and plate of rice and curry stood at her elbow among the rouge pots and powder puffs.
 While 1 stood stock still and pretty well scared out of my wits, she rose, still staring at my image in the glass, folded her hands modestly over her bosom, and spoke in deep, tragical voice;
 "Ihe princeT
 Then, facing sharply around, she held out her thin arms.
 "YOu have come-at last?'
 There was not much to say to this ex' ccpt that had. So confessed it. Even with the candles behind her l could sec her eyes glowing like dogs, and all ugier poor creature this world could scarcely show.
 ''ls the ladder set against the win dow"
 Since you seem to know, ma'am,' said l, it is."
 "Ah, Romeo! Your cheeks are ruddy your poppies are too red"
 Then I'm glad my color's come back for, to tell the truth, you did give me turn just at first. You were looking out for me, no doubt"--
 My priuce!" She stretched out hel arms again, and being pretty well at my wits end, l let her embrace me. 'lt has been SO long," she said, "oh, th' weary whilel And they ill treat me Where have you been all this tedious time"
 was not going to answer that, yo' may be sure. By this l had recovered myself sufficiently to guess what wa near tine truth-that this was mac aunt of the family below, and that tn game was in my hands if played witt decent care So met her question witt another.
 Look here," said, "I'm running considerable risk in braving these perse cutors of your'n. Hadn't we better elop at once?"
 ''l am ready"
 And the jewels? You won't leav them to your enemies, suppose"
 She turned to the dressing table, lifte' her jewel case and put it into my hands
 ''I am ready" she repeated; "let us b