The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1903-11-26
A PerilOuS
Encounter D
By EDITH MORGAN wILLETT

W. lonely hours 10 lace ana tnen
that brother of hers would be
here.
All! there were those sounds again!
The girl sprang to her feet, thereby
considerably upsetting the equilibrium
and dignity of the yellow cat.
What a goose I ami" she declared,
resolutely returning: to the arm chair
cts only the Post with it's &C
count of the Wilson robbery, that has
filled my mind with burglars. I won't
look at the horrid paper again"
Yet Notwithstanding she was no
sooner comfortably settled than she
took up that identical sheet and with
true feminine inconsistency proceeded
to read certain glazing headlines word
for word.
Burglars make a clean sweep"
crowned the page in large type, then
below followed the details of one of the
most noteworthy robberies of the sea-
son.
'tSilver. jewelry and other valuables
made way with. Detectives on the look
out for John Bull as he is known in
HOUSEKEEPING circles, who is believed
to be at the bottom of this and other dar-
ing burglaries. A reward Of $4,000 is
offered for his capture"
The girls eyes, horribly fascinated.
travelled to the bottom of the sheet
where a description Of the notorious
British burglar was presented in large
letters. age about 80. Height over
six feet. Figure athletic Complexion
fair. Looks like a gentleman"
Was it only her absurd fancy that
was fitting latchkey to the outer
door?
Her hands gripped the sides of the
chair. What was to be done? She
thought of the dinner gong yearningly,
and with sudden inspiration of Toms
pistol in his top drawer upstairs. With
these trusty weapons at hand how safe
she would feel.
The gong was easily procured from
the dining-room, but it took lengthy
search amid a troubled sea of hand
l1erchiefs and neckties in Toms top
drawer to discover his pistol. This
wasn't loaded, fortunately for her, but
held in tho proper masculine attitude
would do beautifully. and down the
stairs she fled, the little steel revolver
held aloft at full cock. her forefnger
on the trigger.
But on the bottom step she camc to
full stop-for Something strange and
familiar confronted her in the shadow
of the library door. At first she joy
fully thought ii was Toms valise
standing there nicely strapped but in
conspicuous, but a second glance re-
moved that possibility.
The girl stood irresolute on the stair
case trying to think clearly. Of course
his first object would be the silver in
the dining room, he must be there now,
in which case her refuge should be the
library.
She reached that conclusion and the
door simultaneously, pulled back the
portiere with a jerk and drew up
painting on the threshold, for before
her, standing with his back to the fire,
In tho act. of examining a bejeweled
paper weight, which he must have
up llc ldUlS UGSlu6 uluu,
was the burglar!
At her approach he turned a startled
face. and for a moment the little re-
pousee ornament trembled in his hands
the next he had replaced it on the
table
miss Haversham, believe" he said,
coming to meet her with what she felt
was a pitiful attempt at nonchalance.
The girl only stared at him. Her
dazed eyes were taking note of his
height, the athletic, gentlemanly fig.
ure. The close cropped, blonde hair.
The Enthusiastically English face.
Her inventory tailed exactly with
the original. Was it possible that be-
fore her stood the great notorious John
Bull himself?
But a sudden laugh from the man
brought her back to her senses.
"May I ask" he was inquiring def
erentially enough, eff those two alarm
ing objects you are holding are intend
ed for me?"
The pistol and the gong! Of course!
how absurd she must lock! The girl
flushed with annoyance.
cts just because I'm the only per-
sop in the house." she began in self
defense and then stopped abruptly.
What a thing to tell burglar!
His twinkling eyes only increased
her confusion.
mot that am alone in the house."
she went ON desperately. MY brother.
of course" How she was going to.
truthfuIly end that sentence she had
not the least idea, but the burglar
saved her the trouble.
"Oh, yes!" he interrupted, with a
braEen effrontery that astonished her.
am afraid you went see your broth
er for another hour. He's been de-
tanned In Boston on business -
$50 you came on ahead and took
possession" she rejoined, with Bit
ang little laugh.
The villain, he had timed his visit well.
No wonder he felt secure with only
one defenseless girl to cope with.
With swift decision she seated her
self In the arm chair. If he could be
delayed. diverted. engaged in CONVEX