The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-01-22

same one who had visited MIR.
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 astonishment, 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. only want
the family jewels. Take me to where
they are kept" he whispered again.
At the sound of that voice the last
vestige of fear left her. Indignation and
outraged feeling smothered every other
emotion in her heart. She would prove
this lover of hers. Wuhouta moments
hesitation she arose from her bed,
glanced indifferently 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 a burglar" she said, in frigid
tones.
Then she led THE way through the cor
ridor and down the back stairway to the
laundry and cellars. Blanche, in her
Indignation, knew not that the gram
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 keyring.
and was probably at that time in Chi
cago. An idea struck her.
Here; you hold the lamp while
climb up and get the Key" she said, in
dicating 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 a tiger
The revolver was hers without a strug
gle and the man was her prisoner.
Are you Arthur Forrest? Speak, or
I'll blow your brains outl" she cried.
MY God, spare me, Blanche! 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 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 safeP"
Arthur Forrest cried, as he beheld her
figure.
How did you escape? thought the
outer door was locked" she said, as she
repealed his touch.
"Escape!" the young man cried in
II have been following
him since midnight. One of my men,
who was left here to guard the house,
ellis me that he entered this window
ten minutes ago. The fellow was afraid
to follow him alone. have tracked him
from Broadway and tw he evaded
me. Where is he, darling?"
"Who-who is it you are looking for?"
he girl gasped.
wallace Dulano. The officers are
here to arrest him. Is he still in the
Arthur asked, eagerly.
There is no way of escape except up
Lhe pantry stairs Blanche replied.
Then, while Arthur let the officers in.
she slipped away to her room and donned
ier dressinggown and slippers. In a
lew minutes she joined her fiance in the
reception hall. The gas was burning
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
.hur said, fondly, as he led her to
livan.
mo, am miserable coward; but l
I'm proud woman, and when woman
links she has been wronged, fire and
storm cannot stop her." Blanche said,
humbly.
What do you mean by that, dearestP"
he lover asked.
"Oh, Arthur, he lied to me and be-
ieved him. He told me that you were
the burglar and l thought you were
using even my love to further your own
wicked ends. That is why had cour-
lge to walk downstairs at the end of a
revolver. Can you ever forgive me for
,herishing such an ignoble thought"
'he cried as she buried her face on his
breast.
Eyes, my darling" the young man
'aid, tenderly. But have stolen
that is of infinitely more
value than your plate and jewels. |
nave stolen this noble heart. and am
willing to admit that / am bold, bad
ourglar."-St. Louis Republic.