Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-05-20


lost in dismal meditation. Arthur For
rest a gambler, perhaps a burglari No,
II could not be. And vet. why had
he been so moody of late? Her heart
was sore, and, with no thought Of the
yaluables in the house, she dragged
herself to bed. The night wore on,
and sleep came not. The clock was
Just striking the hour of three when
the door opened slowly, and she could
see the shadowy outline Of a man. For
a moment she was paralyzed with ter
ror. The scream that started from her
heart lost itself somewhere in her
throat. 4 thousand awful fancies
chased each other through her mind
as the man advanced 20 the bed. Then
she thought of the revolver that she
had intended to put under her pillow
Alas, it was peacefully reposing on the
dressing table in her fathers room. The
man was tall and wore a black mus
tached mask. He must be the same
one who had visited Nh. Dulano and
Arthur the night before. Perhaps it
was Arthur At the thought of her
lover the blood went coursing again
through her body, and, TO her astonish-
ment, she found that she was calm.
Are you awaken" the burglar whis-
pered, and his voice sounded strangely
familiar.
Yes" she said, family.
Then get up. Don't be afraid. |
am not going to harm you. l only
want the family jewels. Take me to
again.
At the sound of that voice the last
vestige of fear left her. Imagination
and outraged feeling smothered every
other emotion in her heart. She would
prove this lover of hers. Without a
moments hesitation she rose from her
bed, glanced indifferently at the glitter
ing barrel. of the revolver in the bur-
glars hand, and walked over to the
table, where she lit her little emer-
gency lamp.
Follow me; I am at your mercy,
but 1 trust you are a gentleman, even
though you are a burglar" she said in
frigid tones.
Then she led the way through the
corridor and down the back stairway
to the pantry. Thence another stair
way led to he laundry and cellars
Blanche, in her Indignation, knew not
that the g1anitoid floor was cold be-
meath her little bare feet When she
had almost reached the wine cellar she
remembered that the key was on her
fathers keyring, and was probably at
that time in Chicago. An idea struck
her.
Here; you hold the lamp while l
climb up and get the key" she said,
indicating a niche high in the wall
The mans eyes followed her glance
and he was lost. AS quick as thought
she blew out the lamp, hurled it in re-
sounding fragments on the floor, and
sprang upon her burglar like tiger.
The revolver was hers without strug-
gle, and the man was her prisoner.
Are you Arthur Forrest? Speak, or
I'll blow your brains out!'' she cried.
My God, spare me, Blanche, L am
Arthur" the man whispered.
She covered him with the revolver
while she backed across the laundry
When she had gained the stairs she
bolted the door securely and fled
trembling to the hall above. At the
l'brary door she halted and a low cry
escaped her lips as she caught sight of
another man in the open window.
Blanche, my darling, are you safe?"
Arthur Forrest cried, as he beheld her
white-rObed figure
How did you escape? l thought the
outer door was locked" she said, as
she repealed his touch.
Escape" the young man cried in
establishment 81 have been following
him since midnight. One of my men,
who was left here to guard the house,
tells me that he entered this window
10 minutes ago. The fellow was afraid
to follow him alone. l have tracked
him from Broadway and twice he
evaded me. Where is he, darling?"
"Who-who it is you are looking
for?' the girl gasped.
wallace Dulano The officers are
here to arrest him. Is he still in the
house?' Arthur asked eagerly.
There is no way of escape except up
the pantry stairs" Blanche replied.
Then, while Arthur let the officers in,
she slipped away to her room and
donned her dressing-gown and slippers.
In a few minutes she joined her fiance
in the reception hall. The gas was
burning brightly now and she could
hear the heavy tread of men as they
took their prisoner from her impromptu,
Jail
you are a brave little woman"
Arthur said fondly as he led her to
a divan.
mo, I am miserable coward; but
I am a proud woman, and when
W oman thinks she has been wronged,
fire and storm can not stop her." said
Blanche humbly.
What do you mean by that, dear
est?" the lover asked.
"Oh Arthur, he lied to me and |
believed him He told me that you
we're tne burglar anu thought you
were using even my love to further
your own wicked ends. That is why
had courage to walk downstairs at
the end Of a revolver. Can you ever
forgive me for cherishing such an ig-
noble thought" she cried, as she buried
her face on his breast.
Yes, my darling" the young man
said tenderly. But I have stoleE
something that is of infinitely more
value than your plate and jewels.