Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-04-09

Vsthrvu never would have done Il
,sd her brother Tom been home, be-
.suse he would have laughed at her.
~or would her stern father of Scotch
srcestry tolerate such absurd nonsense
= The observance of heather customs
I, All SAINTS eve. Just the year be-
tore he had objected to her attending a
halloween frolic simply because he did
not approve OF perpetuating silly super
sdhons.
asrroiug the first anxieties of an ambi-
lions freshman. and her father had
heeu summoned abroad to look after n
rs contract. so, motherlcss. Kathryn
wss free TO walk down stairs backward
A. nerform any other Halloween feat.
Inst at present she was standing In
front of the old fashioned gilt edged
Mirror in the drawing room. All
around her was midnight stiffness.
81 hope the face OF my true love
comes to me-"
She murmured the ancient formula
approved by generations Of lovelorn
aamsels and to complete the charm
sowly munched an apple, half appre-
henslye and wholly allied with wonder
as TO whether the apparition conJured
IN BIZ the invocation would be clean
shaved or mustached. Would II be the
features OF Frank Handy or Chester
RAYMOND? Both had asked for her
hand. and really she did not
Wbat was that? Yes. II must be n
masculine face. with bonnie blue eyes,
appearing Just above her own curls. A
little, smothered shrek. and she swung
round to confront personable chap
With crisp blond hair and face which.
save for a haggard look. would have
been more than ordinarily attractive.
His eyes had subtle expression that
made her think OF Tom. and bis dress
proclaimed that be had once moved In
good society.
Following the first spasm of appre.
that the picture reflected In the glass
was that OF a very pretty girl whose
chestnut hair formed dainty contrast
with fluffy negligee OF pale lavender.
The stranger raised bis cap. Pardon
The intrusion" I've began. 81 had no In
tention Of attracting your attention,
but when Opened the door could not
resist the temptation to help out fate,
even though the forced prediction
might dlsplease you"
Kathryn stared at him. "How did
you get 10 without my hearing your
she demanded. Il locked all the doors
hours age"
That Is my Business" he explained
no" be went on as she drew herself
up. Il did not mean to indicate that II
was none Of yours. ! merely mean that
II Is my occupation TO get into houses
With as little disturbance to the occu
pants rs possible"
A wave OF red swept over her face
$50 you are Just common burglarT
she demanded. with icy seorn.
He tiinched at the disgust she did no,
seek TO conceal, but in moment his
easy assurance reasserted itself. "No
quite an uncommon one. assure you.
In fact, am merely n tyro. and pref
ty bad one at that. I imagine. You see,
was not brought up to respectable
trade. and when was thrown upon
my own resources had to do the best
could. | sought everywhere for work,
but my family friends remembered the
time when | led a riotous life and
would not have me, while others seem.
ed to think that did not mean what
said when asked for the simple work
could perform. No man wanted to
hire porter who wore more fashiona.
Die clothes than he did. and couldn't
tell him that had no others"
Still. that is no excuse for becoming
aburglar."
NO" be admitted. "but yesterday II
came to choice between the poor
house and rich one. and when pass.
co your house this afternoon l heard
You tell friend you would be all alone
save for the servant. did not intend
10 take much. just enough TO get me &c
lineage, aad never supposed that
you would be trailing about this time
OF night Then. you see. when man
mas been practically starving for two
Gays there is
she flashed sharp glance at him
DO you mean 10 tell me that you have
starved TO death;" she demanded.
Not quite that. or I should not be
mere, but II remember right the last
meal had was Tuesday morning. This
thursday II might have been Mon
way never was good at ancient his
"ry, but think 1t was Tuesday"
hathryn picked up a quaint silver
sanuiesuek. Come right along" she
"nhanded. "You should have gone tc
ae poorhouse. but suppose you are
'oolishly proud"
ne followed. his eyes resting admir-
sy upon the little lavender form in
aon.. Here was girl who was not
81, ,aio OF burglars and who carried her
- as fearlessly as though she were
entertaining guest.
a., ~ .he dining room she laid out a
Ssuy lunch Their she sat herself