The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-25
CARETAKERS.
IFrom Modern society."l

IFrom Modern Society,"
Tt happened in this way: The Poun-
derbys had gone down to West Sea
for six weeks, leaving their house at
Streatham unoccupied. A week after
their arrival at West Sea Mr.. Founder
by received a telegram which sent him
home again instantly for his house had
been entered by thieves and much pro-
perty stolen He said nothing about
it to his wife, for she was a nervous
woman. and most probably would have
refused to enter the house again; but
he Immediately replaced as many of the
missing articles as possible. tipped the
police, who had a clew." and started
again for the coast. On his way to
town it dawned upon him that what
had happened once might happen again,
and he was standing by the booking Of
tice at Waterloo. wondering what was
best to be done, when a very tall and
very brown young man tapped him on
the shoulder.
why, Kell," said Pounderby, Il
thought you were in hospital at the
Capei"
Just home" replied Kell "Home in
time to be homeless"
"What?"
MY old landlady sold up and house
empty
Look here" said Pounderby, IT wish
you'd sleep at my place for few
weeks, while you look round: you can
get decent meals at a house close by"
And he told him the circumstances
and his anxiety. Kell jumped at the
offer, and the matter was settled by
Pounderby surrendering his latchkey
and taking train for the sea- Charlie
Kell had shot elephants and tigers, and,
more recently, man or two; fa1rIy
reVeled in any dangerous sport or risky
adventure; but he would shiver at the
thought of an introduction to one of
the fair sex, and had reached the age
of % without letting his heart encour-
age his nerves. Having no feminine
relatives had made him unfamiliar with
the softer half of creation. TIE pros
pect of dwelling in an otherwise empty
house was to him, by no means I'M
pleasant He collected his baggage and
before nightfan was. comfortably set
tied in the largest front bedroom of the
PounderbyS home
Three or four days went by unevent-
fully. He rose with the sun, made him
self a cup of coffee upon spirit stove,
tidied his room, and was out and away
before his neighbors were we'll awake,
returning at night, or soon after sun
set.
1t was on the fifth night of his ten
ancy, at an hour when he was usually
in bed, that he happened to be reading
with his feet upon chair An IN
cautious movement upset it in the di-
rection of small table supporting
lamp. Fearing that the lamp would
Hollow, ne maze a sudden STaD LOT Tie
falling chair, reached himself, and
fell with a crash that shooE the room.
He sat upon the floor, laughing quietly
at his unexpected descent, when the
sound of footsteps on the upper land
ing brought him quickly to his feet,
alert and ready for action. In another
moment he had put his lamp, grip
ped his revolver, and crept from the
door to the bottom of the staircase out
side.
IF you move another step in this di
rection l shall fire. said a voice from
above with startling distinctness.
Then Kell noticed that the blind of
the landing window behind him was not
down, and the faint glimmer of star
light night was showing him, in outline,
to the owner of the voice above He
Sprang aside into such security as the
darkness gave, placing himself in such
a position that anyone descending the
stairs must pass between his eyes and
the dim light of the window; then it
would be his turn to challenge.
There was a most oppressive silence
for many minutes, followed by the
creaking of boards at unequal intervals
which told Kell his enemy was coming
nearer, but not without caution. Grad
ually the gray of the window was
darkened by the figure of a woman, I'M
til she stood, as he had done, clearly
outlined upon it's pale background.
Halt" said Kell, calmly. Il have
my pistol pointed exactly at the middle
of your body, and l shall fire If you
move in any direction"
Il also am armed" replied the girl
for girl she waS-"and although can
fire where I now know you to be, shall
not do so unless hear you move. As
we are similarly tanced, perhaps
you will explain who you are, and what
you are doing here"
Il am Charles Kell late of the Port
Elizabeth police, now in charge here,
and I am watching you against that
window for all am worth"
Il don't feel inclined to accept that
without further evidence" said the girl.
There is a gas bracket behind you.
Strike light
hand, still covering the girl, found a
match with his right, and struck it up
on his breeches. He slipped backward
| to the wall and glanced upward in
| in search of the burner, turned the tap,
| and applied the match, but no flame
appeared. The match went out.
Turned off, said the girl, who by
| this ruse, had obtained a good view of
her opponent, while he had been too
much occupied to catch more than a
| lightning glimpse of her himself. If We
| cannot trust each other we shall be I'M
able to move until tomorrow" she went
on; perhaps not then. 1 propose that
you strike another match and allow
me to go into q room for a candle"
Kell struck another. threw her the
box, and motioned with his revolver in
the direction of his room. She went
quickly in while he remained by the
door, lit his lamp, and glanced round,
observing a portmanteau marked &C.
X"
Come in" she said. at cannot escape
while you guard the door. Sit there and
tell me why you are here"
She was exceedingly pretty. Her color
was returning. Her hair fell below her