Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-04-26

even tones. First, all the money you
have; next, all the money she has"
He nodded in the direction of Clarice's
room And then her jewels. She's
got 'em quite handy, believe-not
even locked up in safe.."a. y
Janetta had moved across the room,
conscious that her every movement
was watched by the burglars eye. She
went to a drawer and threw him her
purse contemptuously. IT, -"
YOU'RE plucky one," said the man,
catching at the purse she threw; but
it's best with a Teller like me to keep
civil. Three pounds ten," he contin-
ued, counting out the contents OF the
purse, and throwing it back empty, III
exact imitation of Janetta's own ges-
ture. That's very little, my dear;
what have you got besides?'
"Not farthing," said Janetta; you
are at liberty to look"
The man. still keeping a wary eye
on Janetta, came and tossed over her
drawers, pocketing a bracelet or two,
and taking her little watch from it's
stand, with many EXPLANATIONS OF dis
gust that his booty was so small.
I'm wasting my time here; now
we'll 60 to tho other one" he said
roughly.
Then Janettas enforced self-control
broke down.
| Mot you-not you!" she pleaded
passionately. "She's very delicate; a
sudden shock might kill her, and 1t
would be bad for you If it did. I'll
creep into the room and bring you
out everything of value in It,"
The man stood with his back against
the door. II don't trust woman,
much less a pretty one; you've some
dodge in your head"
II swear my only object Is to save
Miss Seymour's life. and, in so doing,
probably your neck as we'll" retorted
Janetta. "She's asleep. I could get
her money and jewels without waking
her"
"You shall do it on one condition"
said the man. with brutal laugh
'I'll stand at the open door and cover
you with my pistol. If see you play
ing me false in the slightest degree
going near the window, or trying tc
rouse the house. IN shoot both yor
and her. remember"
GIVE given my word; I'll not play
you false" said Janetta.
He opened the door and let her pas:
before him, with mock bow, follow
ing close upon her heels. Janetta won
dered IL the humping Of her hear
would wake Clarice; it sounded lik
cannon in her own ears.
She took the precaution OF slipping
off her shoes at Clarice's door and Sc
it wide, so that the burglar IN tn
doorway had command OF her ever
movement. At the opening OF tn
wardrobe where her jewel case wa
. kept, Clarice turned and moaned T.
her sleep, and Janetta paused, her fin
ger uplifted for a moment: but tn
[ next instant she was satisfied tina
} Clarice had dropped off again. S
quick and deft was she that to collee
every article Of value in the room di
not take her more than five minutes
"We'll go back together, my deal
and just look 'em over" said the bur
t glar, with his hand on her arm, push
ing her before him. ''I'll leave tn
cases and such for a keepsake. I al
ways Do the thing handsome when
get hold Of an obliging female Xix
I yourself. Thirty pounds in gold! YeE
understood as she'd had littl
cheque cashed tonight; and these Jew
els haven't been overrated! They ar
hrst-class. Now my dear, you'll swea
to me, honor bright, that the old on
hasn't anything worth my waking he
up for! The less people awake owe
this business the fewer to tell tales
eh?"
He was retreating rapidly down tn
staircase with his spells CAREFUL
packed away in a black bag; and h
saw Jaletta's eye travel towards tn
gong that hung halfway down tn
stairs.
"No, you don't" he said, readin
her meaning. If you make any effor
to wake the house I'll silence you TO
good and all! You'll give me ten min
utes' start, and then you can set tn
town crier at work if you like"
"Now, a word before we part Tel
your parlor maid to look better ate
her windows. That big one in you
drawing room was not even latched
I didn't have to break pane Of glass
Ten minutes, mind! On secont
thoughts, you'd better make 1t a quar-
ter of an hour. as far as you cal
guess 1t without your watch"
Janetta stood breathless at the tol
of the stairs, watching the burglar
pass out Of sight into the drawing
room. Much must still depend upor
her silence. She turned at last to &c
back to her room, when, to her horror
she saw Clarice, in dressing gown and
slippers, hurrying towards her with
lighted candle in her hand.
Janetta caught her in her strong
arms, almost lifted her back into her
bedroom. and locked the door behind
them.
"F'or heavens sake, keep quiet, dear!
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