The Forrest City times., 1900-05-04

'"o pailH ana sald: You have such pretty hands, Norine,"
 She had smiled back at him. saving.
 They are not afraid of work And ne had answered, with the pride of personal possession: They are not afraid of anything"
 An, well! She reused herself with . sigh.
 That was all so long ago.
 Ana time works changes as we know" ne mllk on the range was at boiling point. She added a teaspoonful of vim egar to the foaming mass in the sauce- pan, and, quickly removing the same poured the strange-scented mixture through line wire sieve. Her remedy and refreshment were in readiness the potent whey" dear to the heart of transatlantic physicians. Hark! Again!
 She set down the bowl burr;edIv Nearer that tread-and nearer! It was on the back porch now. He-whoeyer he was-had laid one hand upon the window frame-was trying it-was | shaking it softly.
 lnvoluntarily Nurse Norine stepped
 back. She was not one of your heroic women. She could feel her heart pounding, until it seemed to strain it's cords as hound strains it's leash. | Ought she turn out the light? Should | she try to leave the spot? Thank God." she panted, Bessie will never learn nursing" Although the association of bur glary with nursing was decidedly il- | logical.
 There was grating sound at the window.
 Should she-how could she-arouse the servants? And if there was to be sudden summons-confusion it might mean death for her frail pa- | tient. Had not the doctors declared that shock would cause cardiac col lapse? No. She must confront what l danger there might be-alone. The window was lifted by strong, stealthy hand. A blurred, wriggling shadow fell across the floor.
 Now! breathed Nurse Norine. .'Now!"
 1 Her professional habit of self-con- | trol-the sense of responsibility to her patient-these sustained her. Just as the clump of shoes struck the floor, she advanced. A lofty, ill-clad figure confronted her. A face, indistinguish- able between slouch hat and chin bandage, was near her own. A grimy hand gripped her throat. Keep still" commanded the voice back of the swathing handkerchief Keep still"
 The command was superfuous, with the herculean grip of those strong fin gers at her throat. q won't hurt you" went on the au- tocratic voice. Not if you don't make | a racket. He isn't home-the master. I saw that in the papers. I want her | jewels-she's dying. She won't miss them. Where are they? Are they in the secret closet off the dressing-room at the head of the private staircase That is where my wife kept" He broke off abruptly Where are they?" The grip on her throat relaxed. 'I know where you mean" she cried, in her surprise-her bewilder- ment. II know"
 Why should she not know-she to whom this house had been a wedding | gift! She, who had once placed her | own jewels in that same receptacle. l She who had come back as a paid l servitor to the scene of her only full, real, transcendent happiness!
 Quick, thenl Quick"
 An encouraging oath from outside the window reached them. Again the mans fingers closed around the smooth throat. "You know. Bring 1 them, then-or, wait-I'll go with you But no noise, you understand. Not q sound or" His right hand slid l backward. He shook before her eyes
 the little toy of metal and wood he | drew forth. ''I can find the place alone" he said. And then. to him without: Bring the cord, Marty!" | In that instant of diverted attention she wrested herself free. "Listen!" she gasped. 'sThe woman is dying. Any commotion will kill her | at once And l cannot-O!" Once more the fingers, fierce in a convolution born of rage, were at her | throat, and the masked face bent lower.
 | You must! You shall-or, by"
 The fingers tangled in chain-a mere thread of gold. Something fell with mellow chatter to the floor. The
 man stopped hastily. He picked up | the fallen bauble.
 l Don't take that!" entreated the nurse. She had fallen back once more.
 Ut is of no value. That is of no in. trinsic value. It is mine-only mine. Give it to mel"
 She was white as death, and shiver- ing, when she held out piteous, en- treating hands. She forgot fear in | desire.
 But the man was staring stupidly down upon the medallion in his palm -an ivory medallion upon which was
 painted a girls face. How sweet that 1 face was-how near, reproachful, ten