The Globe-republican., 1891-04-22

''Nothing-nothing, Jack" replied
Bennie hastily. Il only want to give
her i:tle scare for some ridiculous
things she was saying this morning.
She's got an absurd idea. you know.
that no woman really cares for man
until he has carried her or some other
woman down ladder, Or"
Down a ladder. What for?"
Yes, out of fire, you know. or
| jumped into the water after somebody
-risked his life, you see: then it makes
| 20 difference if he's butcher or pile
driver or what, every woman. she says,
is ready to plump down on her knees
and adore him.
''Still don't quite understand. You
don't want her carried down the fire
escape, do you?"
| mo, no, of course not. should like
to see you or any body else try it. But
she made some remarks of rather dis
agreeably personal nature. and l don't
| just care to have her talking about her
peculiar notions to-to-other people.
So. you see"
''Oh no. Yes. 1 see quite plainly
I now. You want sister Adelaide as
well as-'other people, to see that Ben
ME De Forrest has some grit in him;
| that he's not such fool as he-as peo-
pie might think: in short, that he's a
hero. Now why didn't you tell me that
in the first place."
Because" said Bonnie, who was
very red, although you may have the
idea, you don't-it isn't at all what you
well, yes, Jack, it is something like
that"
It was midnight in the De Forrest
mansion on West Seventy-third street.
Every soul was slumbering peacefully
save one. A slight young man in his
stocking feet slid out of a rear room on
the second floor. and down the stairs
In few moments dim light shone in
the back parlor, and the young man
came out and softly unlocked the front
door. A tall figure entered, and with
out speaking, donned black mask.
the shorter one pointed to a small safe
in the rear room, which stood open.
lis that the swag, pard?" asked the
tall man in hoarse whisper.
"Yes; but don't talk so loud, Jack
and be very quiet"
You're pale, Bonnie. Don't feel like
flunking. eh?''
NO no." and Bonnie scanned the
rusty black suit, the SLOUGH hat, anG
fessional," he whispered.
''Of course. l made up my mind to
do the thing up brown when 1 went
into it. Have you got your gum"
Yes; but l don't think it will be
necessary to fire those two shots-dC
you. JACKIE"
Just as you like, pard, you're the
boss of this job
There's the box on the upper shell.
the one covered with brown plush
Remember my room-to the left at the
end of the hall: the door will be oper
and the gas burning. Drop the DO,
on the floor and jump into the closet
Now I'll be down in five minutes
'.All right
Bonnie had barely regained the door
of his room when another door, neal
the staircase, opened, and blonde head
protruded.
| "Bennie.'
"Yes, Adelaide: it's me-"
There is somebody in the house.
heard footsteps on the stairs and voices
in the parlor."
Il thought l heard some one, too.
I'm going down to see. Go back into
your room. Addie." Bonnie pulled on a
pair of slippers and started for the
stairs.
Adelaide leaned over the banisters.
There's light in the parlor. Oh.
they're at the safe, l know. I'm going
| too"
Go back. Adelaide. you mustn't
come;" and Bonnie began to descend.
Il shall come" and she followed close
behind. You have your revolver?" she
| whispered
"Yes'
You'd better give it to me-
Indeed I won't! Do go back, AIDE
laide, its dangerous"
Il will not. l must see if they're at
my jewels"
Bonnie crept into the parlor: the tall
figure of his sister, robed in a white
| psignoir, her hair hanging down her
back. was Immediately behind him.
A masked figure was kneeling in
front of the safe.
Hey there" cried Bonnie, what
are you doing?"
The figure sprang up, and in the dim
light Adelaide saw brown plush-cov-
ored box in his hand.
MY jewel box she cried, and ut
tered piercing scream.
drop that or I'll shoot" shouted
Bonnie.
The man made dash for the door:
Bonnie drew his revolver and sprane
aside.
Drop it, he cried
But Adelaide, bounding forward. in
tercepted the man and flung her arms
around him, holding him in a vise-like
grip. Struggle as he would. he could
not free himself without Offering her
undue violence.
I've got him" she cried.
''Ph9bus. what clutch she has,"
thought Jack.