Democratic messenger., 1903-01-31

Germnuy 9ualf. which gave
but sufficient light to show the
)eless disorder of the room. The
eniture stood about nj all impossible
lgles; pictures. instead of being neat
AZ arranged upon the walls. rested
ON the floor. leaning their faces against
the wainscot, as things in grief; books.
loosely tied with coarse string. We're
flung here. n bundle of fireirons hud-
died there. Chaos indescribable.
But Stuart Brazicr was Il methodical
philosophic soul. the very type OF the
satisfied and satisfactory suburban
dweller. He had glanced ut the dis
heartening scramble of furniture and
ornaments without the least little dis
couragement Tomorrow. not tonight.
he would begin to set things to rights.
The June night closed In. and Stuart
Brazier sat I'm his comfortable chair.
smoking and turning matters over in
his mind. He was glad 10 be ut length
In the first detached house he had ever
possessed: he thought of its spacious
lawns. spacious for n London suburb.
and of the grounds well bushed in from
spying neighbors. He was glad. too.
that he had sent his wife and little girl
to Margate. where. in bracing air. they
would know nothing of the d;scOm-
forts of moving day. The dust and
the turmoil Of the morning. the heavy
boots trAmpling on uncarpeted stairs.
the sight of men straining in their
determination not TO injure heavy fur
niture. the sounds of hammers and
falling things. the whole picture OF
turning out of one house and going
into another had got upon his nerves
just n little. and now that he sat ut
rest he felt disinclined to stir himself.
But write to Margate he must. His
wife would look TO receive letter
from him the first thing in. the morn
ing. telling her all about it: assuring
her that no precious family god had
been broken. and that her iewelry box
was quite safe. After their little girl.
the chief care of the Brazers was that
small tin box which contained the
wife's valuables. Its contents were
Nricher than are usually found in Il
suburban villa. for both Stuart BraZicr
and his wife were connected with poo
pie who could well afford to remember
In n pleasant and substantial way
birthdays. and did remember them.
At length Stuart Brazier stirred him
self. He refilled and lighted his huge.
homely pipe. gathered miscellaneous
collection of bric-a-bTac off the round
table, ard sat down to write. He
wrote cheerfully. telling all about the
small events that make up Z moving.
and. strangely enough had just fin
lshed these words: Like Il tinker.
am happy in my squalo:: al | yearn
for is company. and wonder who will
ffst foot our new h0lsa:" when his
ear caught the sound OF footsteps COM
Ing boldly UP the gravel path which
led to the front door. Bra2icr listened.
and then quickly glanced at his watch.
sTen O'clock" he muttered to himself
-Too late TO be the last post Now.
who the deuce is coming. and what
oes he want? Perhaps one of the
lovers has left something behind"
the crunching sounds grew
BraZier made out that there
he more than ore person ap-
ne his door. The windows OF
)m in which he sat We're wide
blowing him to hear with great
ness. Outside. the night was
'rk. occasionally illuminated by
timing, which hiottcd out moon
$. the whole world seeming 10
the clammy heat of threaten
Within few yards OF the
the visitors paused. ard the
can't BraEier heard the high
'oice OF woman say:
ire there's robbers in: feel it
nes'
ct. dear: do shut up" roughly
cd the voice of Il man.
can be quiet IL burglars and
.akers are rumpling and tear
shut up. You'll be in Mysteries
ing. yoI know You'd better
ut OF arms way. Go back
10 them bushes. and keep still"
dn't leave you for worlds: in
indeed | wouldn't would
1T. Know would
en-. keep your cad shut. ard
the constable DO the talking
else
inncd. and started for the
the miserable light with
> lie had picked his way
furniture to the hall. the
ras rung T@2lently. He
ramp on the hall table. and.
open the door. asked:
what's up:''
is up. indeed, How have YOU
, this house," demanded some
could not well see who.
'Tomising TO pay rent. princi-
Srazier replied. good naturedly.
that n mistake had been
mistake that would turn out
for him in the end. Pecrin.
darkness. he saw that the
mbered three. man. a woman
Unstable. The man had in his
large Gladstone bag which
'eplying TO BraZicr's little wit
proceeded to place upon the
ms. you're n cool Gus
What are you doing
in your house."
e: you arer' exclaimed tho
passion. You thought tC