Connecticut western news., 1897-02-11


 point It savored more of the "man in possession" than anything else he had done.
 He's been sent, and he's got to stop" was cooks verdict. And mis- tress is making the best af bad job by treating him as gentleman guest. I've always understood that the poor master left her conf able off, and I can't un- derstand how she's lost her money. I suppose it's a mine or something. Thank goodnessi I've got all my little savings wrapped up in a stocking and locked in my box" night had come, and still Ethel remained obdurate. But she paid, her mother noticed. considerable attention to her toilet and wore her prettiest dresses.
 What was that9
 Mrs. Fielding sat up, 1athed in cold precipitation.
 What was-there it was again scratching on the window? She listened her heart beating a wild tattoo against her ribs. Yes-there again 
 Only a sliding door separated Mrs. Felding's room from her daughters Her teeth chattering in time with the wild throbbing of her pulses, Mrs Fielding crept out of bed and, the slid ing door being partly open, into her daughters room. Ethel was slumbering peacefully, but touch awoke her. There was a hurried explanation in whispers from Mrs. Fielding. and then the two women, clutching each other for comfort, stole into the outer bed room and once more listened. The scratching had ceased, and only shuf- fling sound could be heard. Then there were footsteps on the gravel walk, and then the scullery window (which was immediately beneath) was shot up with a force that denoted careless haste on the part of the midnight intruder.
 "A burglarf' exclaimed Ethel, pale to the lips, for she was only l9 and an ordinary girl with ordinary nerves.
 Unconsciously her lips formed the word '''Dickl''
 ''I'll wake Mir. Waterbury" said Mrs. Fielding. She tripped swiftly out
 
 rapped at her guests door.
 In almost less time than it takes to relate it Dick found himself standing at his door, in dressing gown and trousers, trying to instill some calmness into the troubled breasts of Mrs. Fielding, her daughter, the cook and the housemaid for Mrs Fielding had aroused the servants, there being comfort in num- bers, even scared ones.
 ''Stop here," said Dick. "I'll go down. If he doesn't use arms I can manage himp
 So saying, he moved quietly down stairs, and the women, afraid to be left by themselves, followed him at re- spectful distance. A few moments and the darkness had swallowed up Dicks form. An anxious interval followed. during which nothing could be heard.
 Suddenly there were crash of crock cry and a savage exclamation; then an- other crash; then whole series of crash es. The cook and hcusemaid shrieked with fright. Mrs Fielding grasped the banisters and trembled. Ethel trembled. too, for Dick-yes, for Dick. She loved
 
 peril
 Tho house was filled with sounds of the struggle. A desperate fight was go- ing on in the passage leading to the kitchen. The women could dimly dis ceru the forms of the two men who, breathing in short, quick gasps, were struggling furiously for the mastery. Backward and forward they swayed, with clinched teeth and straining mus cles. Still the women dared not move. The couple had fought their way down to the extreme end of the passage aud were close to the scullery door. Sudden ly a pistol shot rang out, there was a cry. splintering of wood and crash of glass, and the two vanished.
 A few seconds later Dick returned. his dressing gown half torn off his back.
 "Hc got away" he exclaimed. sBut he didn't take anything. I'll get some things on and be off to the police sta tion.''
 The women gazed at their hero with fond, admiring eyes, Once again they breathed freely. Slowly they moved ur stairs-all but Ethel. aIC you uurl! Su6 dSheu ullu, Wllu infinite tenderness ill her voice. "Only bruise or two," he replied. "I'll soon set the police on his track. | But first"-
 He took her hand in his. II said I would not leave the house, ' he began.
 Ethel looked swiftly up the stairs tC make sure they two were unobserved. Then she bent forward, quickly breathet 1 "Yes" in his ear and fled to her room. |
 The police never caught the burglar who got back to Friar's Court quit, safely, after catching the earliest trail from roadside station six miles fron Market Norbury.
 Ethel quite meant her "Yes," and il due time was married to the "man il possession" much to the cook ant housemaid's wonderment.
 And MT. John Blunt, reading tn wedding announcement, chuckled soft ly to himself.
 'It was good idea of Dick's!'' wa all he said. Tit Bits.