The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-07-26

before them.
The growing friendship of the three
families, the engagement of Harold Den
yer with Clara Walker, the engagement
Of Charles Westmacott with her sister,
the dangerous fascination which the
widow exercised over the doctor, the
preposterous behavior of the Walker
girls and the unhappiness which they
had caused their father, not one of these
Incidents escaped the notice of the two
maiden ladies. Bertha, the younger, had
a smile Or sigh for the lovers; Monica,
the elder, a frown or a shrug for the
elders. Every night they talked over
what they had seen, and their own dull,
uneventful life took warmth and col
oring from their neighbors, as blank
wall reflects a beacon fire.
And now it was destined that they
should experience the one keen sensation
Of their later years, the one memorable
incident from which all future incidents
should be dated.
1t was on the very night which sue
ceeded the events which have just been
narrated when suddenly into Monica
Williams head, as she tossed upon her
sleepless bed, there shot thought which
made her sit up with thrill and gasp.
Bertha" said she, plucking at the
.,houlder of her sister, Il have left the
front window OPEN"
''No, Monica, surely not" Bertha sat
up also and thrilled in sympathy.
II am sure of it. You Remember had
forgotten to water the pots, and then |
opened the window, and Jane called me
about the jam, and have never been in
the room since"
"Good gracious, Monica, il is mercy
that we have not been murdered in Our
beds. There was house broken into at
Forest Hill last week. Shall we go down
and shut it?''
81 dare not go down alone, dear, but
if you will come with me. Put OH your
slippers and dressing gown. We do not
need a candle. Now, Bertha, we will go
down together"
Two little white patches moved
vaguely through the darkness, the stairs
creaked, the door whined, and they were
at the front room window. Monica
closed it gently down and fastened the
snib.
What beautiful moon!" said she,
looking out. 1--WE can see as clearly as
if it were Gay. How peaceful and quiet
the three houses are over yonder. 1t
seems quite sad to see that TO Let card
upon No. 1. | wonder how No. will
like their going. For my part could
better spare that dreadful woman at No.
3 with her short skirts and her snake.
But, oh, Bertha, look! look! lookv' Her
voice had fallen suddenly to quivering
whisper, and she was pointing to the
Westmacotts' house. Her sister gave
gasp Of horror and stood with clutch
at Monicas arms, staring in the same
direction.
There was light in the front room,
slight wavering light such as would be
given by small candle or taper. The
blind was down, but the light shone
dimly through Outside in the garden,
with his figure outlined against the
luminous square, there stood a man, his
back to the road, his two hands upon
the window ledge and his body rather
bent as though he We're trying to peep in
past the blind. So absolutely still and
motionless was he that in spite of the
moon they might well have overlooked
him were it not for that telltale light
behind.
Good heavenr' gasped Bertha. sit is
a burglar"
But her sister set her mouth gri1nly
Il. l. Z o1.o