The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-10-03

| their wraps ut dance or theater "ThanE
you," said, smiling at him. and feeling rea
grateful, though, of course, very red still, al
the thought that man should have caught
me so lightly robed in my own bedroom
| "Do please excuse mel"
mot at all, he answered, stepping ont
| and facing me. Its l who should apollo
gize for SO unwarrantable an intrusion"
He looked like a gentleman. Well" i
| said what are you here for, anyway"
Don't be alarmed" he replied, staring
hard ut me once more as / drew the dressing
gown carefully round me. Il have no right
10 be here. Pm sorry 10 have frightened
you. | shall withdraw at once, quite quietly,
if you'll allow NE to do so. I'il leave the
house this instant"
He took a step towards the door. placed
myself in front of him. "No, no." I said,
mot that way. Aud not at all till you've
explained yourself"
lie eyed NE most oddly. "You compel
me to explain?" he asked.
/ nodded my head. why, certainly; /
compel you"
Il was after your dmonds," he answered,
seeming to confront me half defantly.
=" So is every other man l ever meet in
England" answered, laughing. 4" thought,
for once you were something original"
lie smiled a curious smile. You mis-
understand me-" he put in. "It was the
diamonds alone l came for, not you with
them"
"That's not very polite" I said. Most
people are more courteous. They're ready
to take them with all the membranes"
But hadn't seen you then, Miss Flana-
gan" he replied, looking amused.
I hat bnru do
know my name?"
81 heard you were here, and 1 came to find
you"
:" DO you mean you are burglar?"
"Not PROFESSIONAL" he answered; but
an amateur-yes. For this occasion only"
We'll, give me England for culture" said
]. "This does beat eyerythingi | never
thought / could stand and talk quietly like
this with a man who was housebreaker.
You do things in style over here! / took
you for gentleman"
So am, hope" he answered, stammer-
ing and growing hot. AT least, / have
been hitherto. But tonight | was making
a fresh start as criminal"
/ looked him up. and down. I'd got over
my terror by now, and was really enjoying
the humor of the situation. / suppose an
English girl would have been frightened
too frightened TO speak; but my Irish blood
and my Californian training made ne see
after q minute only the comic side of it.
He was evidently n gentleman-most likely
an officer. ] longed TO know what had
brought him round TO- my room that night;
but / felt, of course, the situation was too
ompromising. People might hear us talk
ing and misunderstood the circumstances.
You'd better go now, then," said, put
ting back my necklace in its place in the
jewel-box. "If people,were to hear you -
lie dropped his voice still lower. THANK
you" he answered, with Il suppressed tremOr;
"how very, very good you are! Then you
will let me go? You won't rouse the house
upon me ?"
Rouse the house!" ! cried. "And let
everybody know mans been in the room
with me! Why, what do you take me for?"
He looked at me harder still. "Oh, thank
you" he said again. How can / ever
repay you?" And he moved toward the
door with an uneasy movement.
stopped him instantly. "Not that way"
said. "As you came. Go out by the
window"
How do you know came by the win
dow?" he said, pausing.
Because the fasteners twisted" I an
bhcicu. Il cfcu bClOlC odW
you"
l held out my hand. Goodnight"
said, "Mr. Burglar Pun very much Obliged
to you; you've behaved like gentleman"
He took my hand hurriedly. How
strange you are!" he said; "and how brave!
Not in the least like an Englishwoman."
lie pressed it slightly for second. Then
he turned to the window. 81 must go,
then," he went on. at was wrong of me
to stay but couldn't help it. / wanted to
reassure you"
He threw up the sash, and was just going
to jump out onto the fiat roof outside.
Stop, stop!" / cred, holding out my
jewel-box; you've forgotten the damonds!"
My dear. you never saw man so aston
ished in your life. He came back like a
lamb "Miss Flanagan" he cried, blushing
just rs red as I'd blushed myself, what do
you mean by this generosity? Or is it that
you want to rouse the house and let them
catch me with the jewels?"
1t was my turn TO blush. "Well, if you
think j c0uld behave as mean as that -
] said, quite hurt.