Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-07-24

IDENTIFY he was on FAMILIAR ground,
was shaking. She noticed the lines that
pain had given under those shrewd
black eyes.
you must see my orchids" he said.
Most of these specimens I obtained
myself. They tell me I have at least
three unique kinds. And now. IL you
will permit me, I am going TO smoke.
The drawing room Is at your disposal,
though I rarely enter II myself. I al
rays retire at II. but that need not
bind you iR any way. II has been alto
gether a most delightful evening"
But Christabel did not daily long In
the drawing room. AS she went up
stairs and along the corridor she heard
the swapping Of the electric lights all
over the house as the servants were
preparing to retire. She paused just a
moment in the alcove where the pre-
cious Rembrandt was, and located
carefully the position OF the switch
there. Then she retired to her own
room, where she changed her dress to a
simple black gown. A big clock some
where was striking IL as she finished.
She looked at the door. The whole
house was In darkness. the silence
seemed to cling like a curtain.
She paused for a moment, as IL afraid
to take the next step. If II was fear,
she shook it aside resolutely and crept
into the corridor. She carried some
thing shining in her hands, something
that CLEANED in the dim, uncertain
light from the big window. She stood,
just for an instant with a feeling that
somebody was climbing up the Ivy out
side the house. She felt her way along
until she came to the alcove containing
the Rembrandt. and hen she stopped.
Her fingers slid along the wall till her
fingers touched the switch of the cleo
trio light.
She stood for a long time there per-
fectly motionless. II vas a still night
outside. and there was nothing to &C
count for the rustling OF the ivy leaves.
The rafting came in Jerks, spasmod-
icalIy, stopping every now and then
and resuming again. II was no longer
a matter of imagination, 1t was a GER
though he seemed to be seeking an un-
familiar object. Christabel's hand stole
along to the switch; there was a click,
and the alcove was clothed in brilliant
light. The intruder shrank back with
a startled cry. He rubbed his dazed
eyes.
why not come in through the
front door, Mr.. Littimer?" Christabel
drawled, coolly.
Frank Littimer had no words for a
moment. He was wondering who this
woman was. and what she was doing
here. American, evidently, by her &C
cent, and also by the revolver that she
handled so assuredly.
'That is the way you used to enter"
Christabel proceeded. when you had
been out contrary TO parental instruc-
tions and the keepers expected to have
a fracas with the poachers. YOU bed
room being exactly opposite, detection
was no Easy matter. Your bed room has
never been touched since you left. he
key is still outside the lock. Will you
kindly enter it?"
But" Frank stammered. "But /
assure you that I cannot"
Take the Rembrandt away. You
cannot. The frame Is of iron, and II Is
fastened TO the wall. IT would take an
experienced carpenter quite a long time
to remove IL. Therefore, your mission
has failed. II is very annoying, because
II puts the other man in a very awk-
ward position. The position is going to
be still more awkward presently. Please
go TO your ROOM"
my lear lady, If my father knows
that 1 am in the house."
"He Is not going to know that you are
In the house, at lesst not for some little
time. And when you see him 1t will be
better not to say more than is neces-
sary. Later on you will recognize what
a friend I am to you"
You are not showing II at present.
Iittimer said, desperately.
"The patient rarely sees any virtue in
his medicine. Now. please go to your
room. I can hear the other man NUT
tering AMI getting anxious down below.
/ Now. IL you approach that window
| again. / arm pretty certain that my re-
volver will go off. You see, / am an
American, and we are so careless with
such weapons. Please go to your room
at once"
"And IL I refuse your ridiculous re.
quest?"
you will not find my request in the
least ridiculous. If you refuse I shah
| hold you UP with my weapon n alarm
the whole house. But / don't want 10
do that, for the sake OF the other man.
He is so very respectable. you know.
and anything unconventional may be
! SO awkward for him. Yes. 1t is just as
1 expected. He Is coming UP the Ivy 60
investigate himself. Col"
The revolver covered Littimer quite
steadily. He could see into the blue
rim, and he was conscious OF strange,
cold sensations down his spine. A re-
volver is not a pretty thing 1t the best
of times; IL is doubly hazardous in the
hands of a woman
What do you want with me?'' he
tsked.
my dear man, I want TO do nothing
with you. Only do as you are told and
there! The other man is coming UP
the ivy. He can't understand the light,
end you not returning. He imagines
that you are looking in the wrong place,
Please go"
Littimer backed before the weapon.
backed until Re was In the doorway.
Suddenly the girl gave him a push, shut
the door to and turned the key in the
lock. Almost at the same INT an
other figure doomed large In the window
frame.
CHAPTER xxvI.
slightly Farcical.
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