Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-06-11

UuS AAGA u0OAy WuSICdS 10 capture MIN
and prevent his getting away with
such valuables as he had probably
already laid hands on became Instant
ly her whole ambition. The side win
dows were closed by the sliding
blinds. Even if he leaped from them
it would be into narrow court shut
in by ten-foot spike-topped stone
wall. He had chosen the veranda
climbers favorite hour, that which
found the family at dinner on the
back gallery, and the quiet streets
well-nigh deserted save by his own
skilled and trusted pals" from
whose shoulders he had easily swung
himself to the overhanging structure
at the front. He would doubtless
retire that way the moment he had
slowed beneath his loose, Tapping
ropas such items as he deemed of
marketable value.
He was even now stealthily moving
across the floor to where her Dress
ing table stood between the westward
windows. The man must have the
eyes of cat to see in the dark, or
else personal and previous knowledge
of the premises. If she could only
slip as noiselessly out by the foot
of the bed, interpose between him
and the door and that one wide-open
window, then scream for help and
grab him as he sprang, she might
hope to hold him for second or two,
and then Brent and DR.. Frank would
be upon him.
All her trembling was from excite
ment; she knew no thought of fear.
But strong and steady hands were
needed, not the fever-shattered men,
bers only just beginning to regain
their normal tone. She slid from I'M
derneath- the soft, light coverlet with
out sound. The sturdy yet elastic
bottom of plated cane never creaked
or complained. She softly pushed
outward the fine mosquito netting,
gathered her dainty night robe close
ly about her slender form, and the
next minute her little bare feet were
on the polished hardwood floor, the
massive door barely five short steps
away. She cautiously lifted the net
ting till it cleared her head, and
then, crouching low, moved warily
towards the dim. vertical slit that
told of subdued light in the salon.
There was no creak to those thick
blackwood planks with which Manila
mansions are foored. Her out
stretched hand had almost reached
the knob when her knee collided with
light bamboo bedroom chair There
was instant 1amSoo resp and protest,
followed by instant vigorous spring
across the room and instant piercing
scream from Maidie's lips.
Something dusky white shot before
her eyes. Something inlSy black and
dusky white was snatched at and
seized by those nervous, slender, but
determined little hands. Something
| dropped with clash and chatter on the
| resounding floor. Something ripped
and tore as an agile, slippery, squirm-
ing form bounded from her grasp
over the easement to the veranda
over the sill into the street. and
| when Brent and the doctor and the
| womenfolk came rushing in and
lamps were brought and Brent went
shouting to sentries up and down the
San Luis and shots were heard
around the nearest corner, Maid
Marion, Second, was found crouching
upon the cane-bottomed chair that
had bafaed her plans, half laughing,
half crying with vexation, but firmly
grasping in one hand tuft of coarse,
straight black hair, and in the other
a section Of Filipino shirt the size
of lady's kerchief-all she had to
show of her predatory visitor and to
account for the unseemly disturbance
they had made.
Just to think-just to Think" ex-
claimed Mrs. Brent, with clasping