Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1900-01-26

IdTldt III lnC bOp'Tt AsOs '"'~'
one day when he and Tad mad been
having a high old time with Tony's
s.rope" and saddle and Indian trophies,
and Il had ended In Shakespeare being
lassoed and yanked unceremonlously
from his pedestal In the library and
hauied at the end OF the lariat by
whooping brave until plaintiye voice
came from the regions above calling
for "Antoinette.'
So the rope" was looped mp and
hung on a peg In the den, and Tony
tried TO be iignilied and graceful Ike
i 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 Bin and his kind. But still she
felt that she was far from being salts
factory representative OF the Ceilings
worths In her aunt's eyes. and many
time. after every one had retired and
the house was still, a whlte-robed girl
would steal softly down the broad stair
case and into the den to have quiet
cry all by herself, with Rattles' head
on her lap as he watched her with his
dcep-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-fedged
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 II only dismal
wall OF woe from the nursery had not
told her that others shared her punish
ment. so 1t was great relief that night
to steal down to the den to have the
usual cry. with Rattles as chief con-
suief.
The hour was very late. Tony heard
the clock in the library chime II and
then half-past, and Rattles moved un-
easily once or twice, his head raised in
the air as II he scented danger, but the
girl WAS too tired and heartsore to no.
tice him, and ut last, with a parting
pat on Rattles' nose, Tony left the den
and started through the long, dark cor
ridor toward the stairs. when, all at
once she noticed that the door Of her
unnIn'a IN md otn1v
ajar and saw faint, waveJing gllm-
mer Of light shine through the aper-
ture.
Alert and soft-footed as one Of her
own Wyoming wildcats, she tiptoed
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
carefully wrapped bundle suggestive
OF silverware 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 a 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 at
the front door and another at the draw
ing-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
be trouble. And. besides. she suddenly
remembered Aunt Henriette's nervous
condition. She would have Mysteries
or something just as dreadful II she
heard 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 long yawn stretched himself
when he saw the familiar figure; but |
she did not rouse him. Taking the
lariat from its peg. she withdrew on |
tiptoe, leaving the door Unattached. |
There wes little smile on her lips ms
she stood again outside the study door.
this time with Rattles crouching by |
her side and with the long rope coiled
In Rattlesnake Bibles favorite style In I
her left hand. After all. It was such
Joke for her to he using It here In
Chicago, Just as Il might have been
thrown about the throat Of any half
breed or criminal or on the plains, and
she wished In that moment Of hesitancy
that her father were there to see her
throw. Then noiselessly 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 swift swish as the long.
curling rope cut the air with true. sure
aim. then the quick. tightening Jerk as
II drew taught about the mans neck.
tighter and tighter for II was not
Marlon's slim. soft hands that were
pulling on the other end. but pair OF
strong. firm ones that had made sew.
eral selt-respect,ng bronchos come to
their senses before now.
Tony knew that the burglar had
struck the corner OF the big desk when
the lArtat Jerk ad him IN 81 ward "a a.. |