The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-04-18
a PRETTY ~ 20
- 80 COMPAN MON

BY Lot.ise Bedford.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ><>s%~ ~
here" replied the burglar in the same
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, l believe-not
even locked up in 4 safe
| 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
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, in
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 go to the other one" he said
roughly.
Then Janetta's enforced seli-control
broke down.
mot you-not you." she pleaded
passionately. "She's very delicate; a
sudden shock might kill her, and it
would be bad for you if it did. I'll
creep into the room aud bring you
out everything of value In ii"
The man stood with his back against
the door. Il don't trust woman
much less pretty one: you've some
dodge in your head
81 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 a brutal laugh
TIL 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. I'll shoot both you
and her. remember
I've given my word; I'll not play
you false" said Janetta.
He opened the door and let her pass
before him, with mock bow, follow
ing close upon her heels. Janetta Won
dered if the humping Of her heart
would wake Clarice; it sounded like
a cannon in her own ears.
She took tl2s precaution of slipping
off her shoes at Clarice's door and set
it wide. so that ths burglar in the
doorway had command Of her every
movement. At the opening OF the
wardrobe where her jewel case Was
kept. Clarice turned and moaned in
her sleep, and Janetta paused. her fin
next instant she was satisfied that
Clarice had dropped off again. So
quick and def was she that to collect
every article of value in the room did
not take her more than five minutes.
We'll go back together. my dear,
and just look EN- over said the bur-
| glar, with his hand On her arm, push
ing her before him. "lll leave the
cases and such for Il keepsake. l al
ways do the thing handsome when I
get hold of an obliging female like
! yourself. Thirty pounds in gold. Yes,
! | understood as she'd had little
chcque cashed tonight; and these jew
els haven't been overrated! They are
first-class. Now, my dear, you'll swear
10 me, honor bright. that the old one
| hasn't anything worth my waking her
UP for! The less people awake over
this business the fewer to tell tales,
eh?"
He was retreating rapidly down the
staircase with his spoils carefully
packed away in d black bag; and he
saw Janetta's eye travel towards the
gong that hung halfway down the
stairs.
mo, you don't" he said, reading
her meaning. IF you make any effort
to wake the house I'll silence you for
good and all! You'll give me ten min
utes' start, and then you can set the
town crier at work If you like
'Now, word before we part. Tell
your parlor maid to look better after
her windows. That big one in your
drawing room was not even latched
| didn't have to break a pane OF glass
Ten minutes, mind! On second
thoughts, you'd better make it quar-,
ter Of an hour. as far as you car
guess it without your watch
Janetta stood breathless at the tor
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 an6
slippers, hurrying towards her will
lighted candle in her hand.
Janetta caught her in her stron:
arms, almost lifted her back into he