The Monitor-register., 1897-05-14
JUST IN TIME.

Luz al" III d quanuary SaIu amy
Jessop to her husband. "Cousin Mollie is
to be married on Tuesday, and wants us to
attend the wedding"
"WellP" said Mr.. Jessop, inquiringly.
"How can we go and leave Jennie alone
here? It is the first time she has visited
u.s."
Take her along"
"Oh, no., Ed! You know how small
Aunt Meg's house is; and the wedding is
to lie strictly private"
Then | suppose we must stay at
home" said Mr.. Jessop, philosophically.
''To tell the truth, that won't break my
heart"
mo, believe you'd never go anywhere
if you could help YOURSELF" pouted
Fanny. "But Mol will be awfully dis
appointed. Why do things never seem to
happen right 10 this world?"
SIS that a conundrum?" a pleasant
voice broke In. Tie door had opened
noiselessly to admit a young lady. "Don't
you know what Josh Billings says about
the cussedness Of the inanimate? Which
is the nearest any one can come to a
solution oftthe riddle.''
"Welll" laughed Fanny, Josh knew
something even if he did drop his final
letters"
Speaking of letters" suggested Ed,
"why don't you tell Miss Jennie about
Mollie?"
"Well, l will; perhaps that's the most
direct way" And she forthwith did Sc.
"Why can't you go?" asked Miss
Wells, when she had listened to the
little tale of perplexity. "Pray do not
hesitate on my account. l am not afraid
to remain here alone for a day or So"
care you sure you would not mind?"
asked Fanny, with a Frightening face.
"Quite sure. Jake will be within call,
and you have lots of books that l haven't
read; l shall get on nicely with their aid.
You know l don't have much time at
home or opportunity, for that matter
My parents condemn novel reading"
''Then wen CO." said Fanny. "We
can start in the morning, Ed, and be back
by Wednesday evening. You must lock
up early, Jennie; 1 have considerable
silver in the china closet"
(which nobody knows anything about,
luckily" said Ed. Don't worry, Miss
Jennie; burglars won't trouble our un-
%pretentious cottage; yours and Fans
wedding presents are quite safe"
SO the matter was settled, and early
the next morning Mr.. and Mrs. Jessop
started on their journey, leaving Miss
Wells in possession of their domain.
DO you know, 1 fancy she rather
likes it ?" said Fanny, confidentially.
"Her parents-she has a step-mother-are
awfulIy strict, and since her brother left
home, Jennie has had a dull time of it.
She will Just reveal in cur little library"
81 did not know she had a brother"
''Oh, yes! He was rather wild, and
ran away from home several years ago.
They nave never heard from him since.
1t nearly broke Jennie's heart. She is
just beginning to be herself again. She
idolizes poor CHARLIE"
"H'm! We must find her a husband"
said Ed, practically; upon which Madam
Fanny grew thoughtful, and did not
speak for at least an hour.
They had expected to be absent three
days, but found it expedient to return
home on the second. AS they approached
the house DO ligtfts were visible IN any
of the front rooms.
'tJennie is probably up stairs" said
Fanny. "We advised her to retire early.
Shall we ring?"
"No; let us go around to the back
door. nave my skeleton key. 1t is a
pity to disturb your friend"
When they reached the rear of the
house they were surprised to see a light
in the dining room.
'Surely Jen cannot be sitting in there"
said Fan, rather startled. "What can it
mean?",
"We will soon fad out" was her hus-
bands answer.
He crept close to the house and peered
in under the curtain. The occupant of
the apartment evidently considered him
self secure from observation, and be was
able to command a view of the whole
room.
SIS there any one there2" asked Fanny.
as her husband did not volunteer any
information.
He beokoned her to come quietly and
look in, and she obeyed, starting back as
she saw a strange man relieving the silver
closet of it's contents, which he slowed
into a capacious bag.
"Don't make a sound, Fan!" said Ed,
grasping his stout cane more firmly.
"Be careful! He is probably armed
said Fanny, as Ed moved toward the
kitchen door.
He shook his head warningly. In a
momen he had softly entered the room,
from which a door opened at the rear of
the intruder, who was so intent upon the
work that be failed to hear Jessop Creep
ing up behind him, and was made aware
of his presence by feeling a strong hand
on his shoulder.
Uttering an oath be drew his pistol, but
with a dexterous blow Ed knocked it
from his hand.
"If you move one step l will bring this
down upon your head!" he exclaimed,
holding up his oaue.
The fellow fiinched and stood still.
Jessop quickly possessed himself of the
pistol.
Fanny" be said to his wife, who had
ventured 20 follow him, wake Jake and
send for a Constable. / must stand guard
here"
Before she could reply, Jennie, dressed
in a loose wrapper, appeared at the door.
"What is the matter she asked, looking
with wonder at the strange scene.
'When did you returD?"
"Only a few moments ago." said
Fanny. And oh, Jennie, just think!
We found this man stealing the silver"
The light fell on the burglar as Jennie
gazed curiously at him. He was not more
than t~ and twenty, and would have
been handsome, but for a worn, pinched
lonk AS his ewes met Jennie's be stepped