The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-01-28

blONlN anu Sic COuiu STE lDG SDduO"E
outline of man. For moment she
was paralyzed with terror. The scream
that started from her heart lost itself
somewhere in her throat. A thousand
awful fancies chased each other through
her mind as the man advanced 10 the
bed. Then she thought of the revolver
that she had intended to put under her
pillow. Alas, it was peacefully repoSinC
on the dressing table in her fathers
room. The man was tall and wore
a black mask. He must be the
same one who had visited Mr..
Dulano and Arthur the night be-
fore. Perhaps it was Arthur. At the
thought of her lover the blood went
coursing again through her body and,
| to her establishment, she found that she
was calm.
Are you awal<e?" the burglar wins
pered, and his voice sounded strangely
familiar.
Yes" She said, family.
Then get up. Don't be afraid.
am not going to harm you. only want
the family jewels. Take me to where
they are kept" he whispered again.
At the sound of that voice the last
vestlge of fear left her. Indignation and
outraged feeling smothcred every other
emotion in her heart. She would prove
this lover of hers Withouta moments
hesitation she arose from her bed,
glanced inditferently at the glittering
barrel of the revolver in the burglars
hand, and walked over to the table,
where she lit her little emergency lamp.
Follow me; | am at your mercy, but
trust you as gentleman even though
| you are burglar" she said, in frigid
| tones.
Then she led Tine way through the cor
ridor and down the back stairway to the
laundry and cellars. Blanche, in her
indignation, knew not that the grant
told floor was cold beneath her little
bare feet When she had almost reached
the wine cellar, she remembered that
| the key was on her fathers lieyring.
and was probably at that time in Chi
C1go. An idea struck her
Here; you hold the lamp while
climb up and get the key" she said, liz
dicating a niche high in the wall The
mans eyes followed her glance, and he
was lost. As quick as thought Sire
blew out the lamp, hurled it in re-
sounding fragments on the floor and
sprang upon her burglar like a 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 fed trem-
bling to the hall above. At the library
door she halted, and 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
Whitc-robed figure.
How did you escape? thought the
outer door was locked" she said, as she
repealed his touch.
"Escape!" the young man cried in
| astonishment. Il 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
! ten minutes ago. The fellow was afraid
to follow him alone. | have tracked him
from Broadway and twice he evaded
me. Where is he, daring?"
"Who-who is it 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 her room and donned
her dressinggown and slippers. In
! few minutes she joined her funce 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" Ar
thur said, fondly, as he led her to
| divan.
NO, | am a miserable coward; but l
am a proud woman, and when a woman
| thinks she has been wronged, fire and
storm cannot stop her." Blanche said,
humbly.
What do you mean by that, dearest ?"
the lover asked.
"Oh, Arthur, he lied to me and be-
lieved him. He told me that you were
the burglar and thought you were
using even my love to further your own
wicked ends. That is why had cour-
age to walk downstairs at the end of a
revolver. Can you ever forgive me for
cherishing such an ignoble thought"
she cried as she buried her face on his
breast.
eyes, my darling" the young man
said, tenderly. But l have stolen
something that is of infinitely more
value than your plate and jewels. l
have stolen this noble heart. and l am
willing to admit that I am bold, bad
burglar."-St. Louis Republic.
! Satisfactory Answers.
You are a producer of petroleum, l
believer"
"T am "