The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1902-01-09
The Old LadV'S Guest.
By HERBERT J. ALLNGHAM.

llltu ltdl uTte. Flit was HulOe diOu
in n large and stately room. From
the walls the family portraits LOOKED
down upon her out of their heav.
gold frames. Among these were mel
ofall types, gallant soldiers, thought
iul statesmen, and mere stripling
fresh from college. But in them al
was discernible the family likeness
theEeen eyes, the well.shaped, aristo
cratic nose, and the strong, heavy
jaw.
4 bright fire burned in the magni
fcent open fireplace; but, i'll spite o
this, "A somber air developed thu
apartment. The rich, dark tapest
ries, the heavy, old oak furniture, anC
the soft light from the solitary, care
nifty shaded lamp, Which stood n lit
tie To the rear OF the lady's chair
combined TO produce this effect
Suddenly the old lady was startled
into wakeiulness. A swift current Of
titterly cold air swept into the room
and he old lady looked up with a
slight SILVER Surprise was depicted
upon her face: but there was no sug'
ppStiOn OF alarm in those steady, pa.
tient eyes.
Even when the figure OF man
emerged from the shadow near one
Of the large French windows and
stood before her, she remained APP
parently unmoved.
Keep absolutely silent, madam,
and do not move, said theintruder,
rapidly and coolly, "lf you obey
me, will not hurt you. If you at
tempt to call for assistance shall
have to silence you"
He was Il young man, under 30,
with little of the criminal in his ap.
pearancr. Well-dressed, with a
smooth-shaven, intelligent face, and
n brisk seif-possessed-m he
looked more like a commercial tray
eler than IA housebreaker.
The collar OF his overcoat was
turned up about his ears, his hat was
tilted over his eyes, and he carried a
neat-looking black handbag.
The old lady surveyed him with a
GOODNESS equal to his own.
"Shut the window, my man." she
said, quietly.
Her voice was low and gentle, but
quite clear and unbroken by the least
tremor OF fear.
The man looked at her admiringly.
Madam, you have nerve and COM
mon srnse--so much the better. ]
have only a few minutes to do my
business, SO please answer me briefly
and clearly
lie closed the window and returned
to her.
"You are in the habit of keeping
money and Jewels in this room.
Where. are they?"
Instead OF replying, the Old lady
looked at him kindly for while in
silence and then said. simply:
Poor lad, Poor lad,
Flash Dick, a craftsman OF un-
doubted talent and unlimited assur-
tti,re, we'll known to the police OF Len
don. Paris and New York, and cap
able OF taking care OF himself in most
situations, however awkward. was
for once at loss.
He was prepared for Mysteries, for
angry reproaches, for mad terror;
but the calm self-possession of.this
remarkable old lady bewildered him.
with regard to that money"
he began.
sit down, my lad; | want to talk
to you" said the lady, gravely.
"Really, madam. | should be de-
lighted; but if you knew how was
pressed for time"
There is no hurry. We shall not
be disturbed until ring"
As she spoke she pointed to the
knob of an electric bell within easy
reach OF her hand.
The mans face became livid.
ali you touch that Ill kill you" he
said between his teeth.
There was a shade of contempt. but
still no fear, in the old lady's tones
when she spoke again.
Foolish boy, do not fear death.
For ten years | have been waiting
patiently for his arrival. Sit down,
my lad. and hear what / have to
say"
Flash Dick, to his own astonish-
ment, found himself obeying.
81 have a son." said the old lady.