The Van Buren press., 1897-04-24


the other staggered forward with an
air of determination.
Cant get my bill changed anywhere.
You'll have TO do it," Lucy had started
TO her feet at the sight of them.
1--WE told you l mustn't" she replied.
"It's against the rules
"Oh, I'll take all the blame" said
the fellow, leaning on the counter with
a hooking grin. Come now. hustle
"Get right out of here. both of you, :"
said the girl, with the most command
ing air she could assume. while her
heart beat like triphammer as she
thought of the tin box few feet away.
None O. that returned the other,
threateningly. I'VE know you're alone
here, and there amt anybody in sight
for two blocks either way. Get that
money out-quick, now."
The speaker started TO come around
the end of the counter. In a moment his
dirty hand would be upon her.
Lucy. very pale, gave one glance to-
ward the street, then retreating a step,
pressed her finger firmly against brass
button which stood out upon the wall
As she did so she eoarageously gazed
into the thief's eyes.
He hesitated and halted. what are
We up to-" he CALCULATED.
Lucy managed to smile. II guess
you've forgotten that If there isn't any
body in sight for the next block, there's
police station there"
She saw the surprise and dismay in
the rough's face. '.They won't keep
you waiting long," she added, signifi-
eantly.
At this moment, as it happened, there
was fanfare and crash of bells down
the street. Lucy's visitors were prob
ably more or less familiar with the
pitch sof patrol wagons gong, but
their imaginations were infamed at the
moment, and the company of bicyclers
wheeling around the neighboring cor
ner did Lucy the service OF completing
the panic which her action and words
had begun.
Instantly the man nearest her vault
ed back over the counter and ran for the
door, which his mate had jerked open a
the first note of the bell. The spring
wind streamed into the shop as the in.
traders vanished into the darkness.
Meanwhile Philip had been having an
open talk with his parents-or rather,
with his mother-Billy didn't count;
but he listened with swelling heart
to Pills declaration that he wished and
intended to marry Lucy, although the
young man made 1t very clear that she
had refused him.
Billy's confidence in bis stepson's
power to triumph supported him
through the TRADE which Mrs. Stevens
entered upon as soon as her sons de-
termination penetrated her amazed
brain.
Phil let her talk until she was tired
the three were on their way home from
the sociable.
"a girl without a cent to her name!"
finished the angry woman at last.
PLENTY of time to think it over,
mother" he returned then, without
excitement. Meanwhile I'm afraid the
evening has seemed long to Lucy. I'll
hurry ahead and see how she is getting
on"
He quickened his pace, and just as he
entered the home street he saw some
thing that made him break into n run.
Two men had just leaped from his
mothers door and fed away.
With his heart full of vague dread he
yaulted up the steps and into the shop.
Lucy, white and wide-eyed, was cling.
ing to the counter.
"Philip!" she exclaimed, and in Sec
ond she was clinging to him instead Of
the woodwork; and then she laughed
and cried at once, for it had a comical
side to see those miscreants turn and
flee.
men had tried to rob her; that his
mother had left lot of money in the
shop, and that she had pressed the cleo
trio bell TO call the police and so
frightened the thieves away; but she
was still confused and Pills lips were
set hard when Mrs. Stevens entered,
followed by Billy, and breathless from
hurrying to see what her son might be
about
She was ready to utter a severe speech
when Phil, still holding Lucy's hand,
turned upon her. "How could you leave
this poor child alone with the money 10
guard in this public place at night?" he
demanded.
For mercy's sake, nothing has hap
pened. has it?" calculated Mrs. Stevens,
starting forward in instant alarm.
Two thieves have been here, that's
eu."
The strength went out of Mrs. Stew
ems limbs, and the color from her face.
mo! no." she gasped. Nearly three
hundred dollars! They saw me go to
the bank-they saw us go out!" she
groaned, despairingly.
Yes" said Lucy, with catch in her
breath, 'they knew l was alone"
You could have done something!"
exclaimed Mrs. Stevens. (Which way
did they go?" She started wildly to-
ward the door.
"No matter" said Philip. Come
back, mother. They didn't get any
thing"
"Nhat?" wheeling around.
Absolutely nothing. This plucky
girl frightened them away. What more
DO you want than daughter who can
earn three hundred dollars in an even
ing?"
Ms. Stevens rushed to the money
drawer and to the tin box, and eagerly