Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1902-10-31

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great, lonely drawing room, absorbed
in the memory of a long-dead past.
"Jean!"
She started violently. Had she heard
it or only dreamed it? Dreamed that
stifed, stricken whisper? Only one
human being ever called her that, and
1t was twenty years
At that moment the electric light
was switched off, and a curt, incisive
voice came to her out Of the darkness.
Don't scream You needn't be
afraid. | swear not to harm you"
Then Janet Kimbolton realized the
situation. She had dreamed It. Of
course-dreamed that whisper! But
she was no coward, though Ler BRAY
cry was of the kind that comes when
life has lost its SAVIOR, the bravery
that fears nothing because it hopes
nothing.
Il nm not afraid" she answered COM
posedly, and waited.
For a few moments only the faint
tinkle of gems striking against a pol
ished surface broke the stiffness, for
the man vac struggling hard for self
control.
"You are a brave woman" he said at
last with genuine admiration.
Il am not gong to take your jew
els" he went ON; when | have gone
you will find that they are all here"
Are they-not worth the taking?"
she questioned, with a touch of the
humor that never deserted her.
They're worth just about 100000"
he answered quietly. That's not much
to me. You see,' and his voice took
on n certain note of pride. Il am the
man they call Dandy Dick"
"Oh!" And Il little ripple of laughter
came to him out of the darkness.
"Then | have the honor of conversing
with the most notorious burglar in
Chrlstcndom-the man who spirits
away the jewels of d~uchesses-the
bonds Of stockbrokers-the money bags
of banks. and the treasures of princes?
"You have heard Of ~Carshalton. the
~ NNhs hhN iNliS u ~ llllOHilICS, us
they call him? We'll. | am he"
A sudden horror seized her. Was she
shut up alone with q mailman, and not
a mere burglar, as she had been sup
posing?
'Oh, | am not mad" he told her, re-
assuringly, his quick intuition divining
her thoughts. when | am supposed
to be in the Rockies In Russia, In Italy.
Pm here. or in Paris, or Vienna, any
where there happens to be anything
worth taking"
ITS dangerous" she hazarded. at a
loss what to say in a situation so BIZ
zarre.
He laughed %joyously.
dangerous? | live for danger. It's
the sap OF life, If it weren't for that.
l should be a respectable cit. zen to-
morrow"
She listened, amused, perplexed.
sorry.
"Of course, | have realized before
that you are what the world calls
n gentleman. Why, then. do you do
this horrible thingI'
His face fell, and his voice took on a
humber tone.
May tell YOU why?'
yes" she said. do. 1t Is all very
interesting, and It's n loug VIII lie since
i have been real y inter, sted.'
And you're not afraidY" he question
ed.
You have given me your word" she
answered with quiet serenity.
"rhank YOU
In the darkness she could almost see
the flush that dyed the mans face.
Then she sat down on tie cushioned
window seat and a ray of moonlight
through n crack In the shut
fell upon the silver-gray OF her
hair. The man came quite close. and
looking down at her. then sud
denly he bent and touched her arm. A
curious magnetic thrill seemed to pass
through her and she leaped to her feet.
WHO are your" she demanded. "In1
heavens name, who are you?"
lie stepped swiftly back. and con.
himself by Il supreme effort an.
swered In a duh and measured mono
tone;
DANDY Dick, burglar. Francis Car
millionaire"
There was n short silence, then he
To speak.
Il vas born too late. | ought to
have come into the world two hundred
years age. the world OF Drake aud Fro
and Raleigh, the world when
men lived and dared, not the world OF
when they ~stagnate and exist.
The curse OF some bygone ancestor
was In my blood, the curse OF restless
ness. OF lawlessness. OF untamed ambi.
From my very habyhood | was
n rebel. and rebellion grew ON me.
We he as others were. could
hAur tha yha,lt.. uat .,