The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-02-16

porting prongs with her sleek, round
head. Finally it fell with convulsive
jerk. and then a push of the chair
brought her lips to the mouthpiece.
Her heart beat thick and fast. Her
lips were parchcd. She tainted little.
Then she spoke, and her voice was soft
and distinct.
"Listen, for the love Of heaven" she
began. mo; don't want no number.
Only listen. This is Della Mann talkin-
yes, Della Mann. Never mind how l
spell it. It's Della Mann at 2021 Oxford
avenue. Get 1t right-2021 Oxford ave-
nue.. Yes, Thurston's. Get 1t right.
There's robbers in the house-yes, rob-
bers. l can't spell it, an I'm tied hand
an fut. Do you get 1t? They're up stairs
rummagin-ycs, up stairs. I'm in the
Telephone closet tied hand an fut. Sind
the policc--sind the police. Do you get
that? An be quick, too-2021 Oxford
| avenue-an fer the love of heaven don't
you dare to say lines busy"
She paused and caught her breath.
Then she added:
That's all, an can't ring off,"
So, having cast her extraordinary mes
sage upon an unknown sea, rs it were,
Della Mann put her aching head back
and waited.
The steps overhead softly came and
went. The clock in the kitchen struck 3.
Time was passing slowly in the little
storcroom. Then Della fancied she heard
somebody walking cautiously around to
the rear of the house. A moment later
there was quick clang, clang from the
street and the sound of rumbling wheels.
There were hurried footsteps, too, on the
front stairs and in the hall and through
the dining room. Then came a quick
command, the sound Of struggle, a
smothered oath or two and silence.
Della knew that the police must have
neatly trapped the robbers, and her heart
rejoiced. Then she dimly wondered when
she would be released. She was cold and
numb. Her head was heavy, and it
ached. She dropped her chin upon her
breast and dozed.
Thus it happened that she did not hear
the policemen when they brought the cap
tured rascals into the dining room and re-
lieved them of their booty. 1t made quite
a handsome pile rs the officers stacked 1t
on the table. And then suddenly in rush
ed George Thurston and Alice, painting
with haste and excitement.
"Got 'em, Ell" cried George. "Good.
Somebody telephoned me-just as Mrs.
Thurston and l were leaving the office
that my house was being robbed, and we
caught the first electric car and came
out. How did you know about it"
message from the telephone central"
replied an officer.
by the way" said the younger of the
rascals, with q bow to Alice Thurston,
"you will find your girl of all work in
there" and he indicated the storeroom
with his manacled hands.
George Thurston sprang to the door,
turned the key and flung 1t open.
"Here" he cried, and a policeman fol-
lowed him into the apartment. A moment
later they reappenred carrying the limp
Della on her chair. As soon as she could
be united Alice Thurston fell to chafng
her benumbed wrists, while George
brought her tiny glass of brandy, which
she swallowed with grimace.
"And what were you doing In the
storeroom, Delia?" cried Alice, who was
close to the verge of Mysteries.
"Tellyphonin," replied Della stolidly.
"Well, I'll be jammed," said the young
er prisoner.
"Good GIRL" growled the big policeman.
enc another.
81 spose it's all up with me-" said De-
liza mournfully.
"What do you mean?' cried Alice.
"On account of me breakin that last
plate ma'am," said Della.
Then Alice, still gently stroking the
SCARED wrists, laughed until she cried
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