Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-01-16


/ far as Tony was concerned. She had
been in disgrace that day. There had
been swell function of some kind. and
the twins had been summarily called
from the den to appear before a 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 a 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,
ment. so it was great relief that night
to steal down to 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 IL and
| then half-past, and Rattles moved un-
| easily once or twice, his head raised in
the air as if he scented danger, but the
girl was too tired and heartsore to no.
tice him. and at last, with q parting
pat on Rattles' nose. Tony left the den
and started through the long, dark cor
rider toward the stairs. when, all at
once, she noticed that the door of her
uncle's private room and study was
ajar and saw a faint, wavering glim-
mer of lj.-ht shine through the aper-
ture.
Alert and soft-footed as one of her
a
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, light steel one, in which
Mr.. Collingsworth kept his papers and
all articles of value On the desk was
a carefully wrapped bundle suggestive
of silverware and other things portable
as we'll as valuable, and kneeling 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 If she
heard commotion downstairs. Tony
decided. and with n 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
lariat from its peg. she withdrew on
tiptoe leaving the door Unattached.
There was a little smile on her lips as
she stood again outside the study door,
this time with Rattles crouching by
ber side and with the long rope coiled
IN Rattlesnake Billie's favorite style in
ber left hand. After all. it was such
ioke for her to be using it here in
Chicago lust as it might have been
thrown about the throat of any half
breed or criminal off 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 omen, and her heart beat faster
5as the dark head raised a bit higher
over nv the safe The next moment
there was a swift swish as the long,
curling rope cut the air with true. sure
aim: then the quick, tightening jerk as
1t drew taught about the mans neck.
tighter and tighter, for it was not
Marion's slim, soft hands that were
pulling on the other end, but a pair Of
strong, firm ones that had made sew
eral self-respecting bronchos come to
their senses before now.
Tony knew that the burglar had
struck the corner of the big desk when
the lariat jerked 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 darkenfng to
dull red his eyes closed. and all at once
a natural girlish fear swept over her,
and before she knew it she had slipped
out and shut the door, leaving Rattles
on guard.
A few seconds later Mr.. Ceilings
worth was awakened by soft tap on
his door.
Its me; Tony" said allow voice that
shook trifle. Il want TO. see you,
uncle"
.sI,,, au-fuIlv sorry to uaI-a voI, mr.,
she went on when he had slipped on
dressing gown and met her, bright-eyed
and pale but I've caught a man
down therein the study-oh, it's all
rightr' as he gave quick exclamation
and turned back for a weapon. :I-I
lassoed him, you know, and Rattles is
watching him."
Mr.. Collingsworth hooked down an
instant at the face upturned to him, and
his tone was unsteady as he said,
quietly:
60 to your room, dear. I'll do the
rest"
But, as the twins said when they
heard the whole story and had glor:fed
their heroine to their hearts content
the next day, there wasn't any rest to
do. The lariat had settled the whole
matter, and IT was a very limp. half
strangled burglar that the police re-
moved from the house after Rattles had
been relieved from his vigilance. AS
for Aunt Henriette. she had no words
10 express her admiration and wonder.
and the lariat was hung in a place of
honor over the great antlers In the Ii
brary and Tony was taken once and for
all time into the bosom of the family
Chicago Record.
Saved the King fro,n kidnapers.
An interesting incident happened as
Queen Maria Cristina drove the other
day TO the station in Madrid on her
way to the court. Her majesty was
seen to nod and smile and wave her
hand to a woman in the crowd, while
the young king, who sat opposite his
mother, showed signs of delight. The