Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-01-13

So the "rorr'' was :oppcd mp and
| hung on a peg in the den. and Tony
tried 10 he digniied and graceful like
! Marion. and not rush up the stairs two
steps at time, or whistle or tell the
twins blood.curdlng narratives that
savored Of the adventures of Rattle.
snake Bill and his kind. But still she
felt that she was far from being Il salts.
! factory representative of the Ceilings.
worths In her aunt's eyes. and many u
time. after every one had retired and
the house was still. white.robed girl
would steal softly down the broad stair
case and into the den TO have a quiet
cry all by herself. with Rattlcs' head
on her lap as he watched her with his
| deep-set. solemn eyes.
1t was on one of these nights that
| the great event happened which
/ changed the whole aspect of things so
! far as Tony was concerned. She had
been in disgrace that day. There had
been a swell function of some kind. and
the twins had been summarily called
| from the den to appear before select
company. But instead Of two pretty
| figures in black velvet and point lace
there had come forth two full.ncdgcd
Indian braves in feathers and war
| paint. bubbling over with laughter and
! all ready for powwow.
OF course. Tony was blamed. and she
| would not have cared IL only dismal
| wall OF woe from the nursery had not
! told her that others shared her punish
! mcnt. so It was a great relief that night
TO steal down 10 the den TO have the
usual cry. with Rattles as chief con-
soler.
The hour was very late. Tony heard
the clock in the library chime II and
| then half-past. and Rattles moved TN
easily once or twice. his head raised In
| the air as II he scented danger. but the
| girl was too tired and hcartsore to no.
| tlce him. and ut last. with a parting
/ pat on BATTLES nose. Tony left the den
and started through the long. dark cor
rldor toward the stairs. when. all at
once. she noticed that the door Of her
uncie's private room and study was
ajar and saw a faint. wavering gllm.
mer Of light shine through the aper.
| turc.
| Alert aud soft.footed as one OF her
own Wyoming wildcats, she tlptocd
across the hall and looked In. a broad
mahogany desk stood in the center OF
the room. and just beyond this was a
small safe. a light steel one. In which
Mr.. Colllngsworth kept his papers and
all articles OF value. On the desk was
q carefully wrapped bundle suggestive
OF silverwarc and other things portable
as well as valuable. and knecling on the
floor in front of the safe. with his back
to the door. was n man working stead
lily at the combination lock.
Tony hesitated an instant. her FIRST
impulse being to run upstairs and tell
her uncle. The burglar alarm was ut
the front door and another at the draw.
lng-room windows opening on the We.
randa. and she thought that while she
was trying to reach them her presence
might be discovered and there would
b, be trouble. And. besides. she suddenly
remembered Aunt Henrictte's nervous
condition. She would have Mysteries
or something just rs dreadful II she
heard n commOtion downstairs. Tony
decided, and with new Idea In her
head she turned and went back TO the
den.
Rattles was settled on the rug. and
with a long yawn stretched himself
when he saw the familiar figure: but
she did not rouse him. Taking the
loriat from Its peg. she withdrew on
tiptoc. leaving the door unlatched.
There was n little smile on her lips as
she stood again outside the study door,
this time with Rattlcs crouchlng by
her side and with the long rope coiled
in Rattlcsnake Bibles favorite style In
her left hand. After all. II was such
a Joke for her to he using 1t here IN
Chicago, Just as It might have been
thrown about the throat Of any half.
breed or criminal OF on the plains. and
she wished in that moment OF hesltancy
that her father were there to see her
throw, Then nolselessly she moved the
door open. and her heart beat faster
as the dark head raised a bit higher
over by the safe. The next moment
there was n swift swish as the long.
curling rope cut the air with true. sure
aim: then the quick. tightening jerk as
It drew taught about the mans neck,
tighter and tighter. for 1t was not
Marion's slim. soft hands that We're
pulling on the other end. but pair Of
strong, firm ones that had made sew.
eral self.respecting bronchos come to
their senses before now.
Tony knew that the burglar "
struck the corner Of the big desk who
the larlat jcrked him backward, and as
the dog leaped forward with a growl.
she stepped into the room to see how
matters stood. The burglar was lying
as he had fallen his face darkcnlng to
dull red. his eyes closed, and all at once
natural glrIlsh fear swept over her,
and before she knew II she had slipped
out and shut the door, leaving Rattles
on guard.
\ few seconds later Mr.. Ceilings
worth was awakened by soft tap on
his door.
ITS me; Tony" said n low voice that
shook trlfe. Il want TO see you,
| uncle"
I'm awfully sorry TO wake you up"
she went on when he had slipped on q
dressing gown and met her, brght-eyed
and pale. But I've caught man
down therein the study-oh, it's all
right" as he gave quick exclamation
and turned back for . weapon. III
lassoed him, you know, and Rattles IL