The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-07-21

and give a little sniff-there was TO
other word for it. Sc stood there with
her naughty little nose in the air.
1hen he perceived why and in the in
stant of recognition the same thought
Iashed across them both. 1t was that
evil cigar that had passed them on the
corner when they were talking about
the latch KEY.
Philip stepped in quickly and laid his
nnger On his lips. Then came to her
and took both her hands and bending
close over her whispered, That man
heard about the door INC he is in here
somewhere. If l rummage around now
and try to find him therell be a row
ana a nasty mess. But we must find
him. Lucille ~shuddered; she didn't
want him. He is probably watching
He doubtless has a gun" She looked
up at him with frightened eyes and he
Then" he whispered decidedly, you
let me do as I think best and not say
a word, but help out the bluff all you
can. Will you do this or will you go UP
felt her quick breath on his cheak.
Now" he continued under his breath,
we must run a bluff. Will you help
me like a good comrade?' She nodded
eagerly, though still tremulous.
stairs and let me u N him up?" Lucille
looked her contempt for this idea and
said, GO on. I'll help"
You promise?"
Lucille assented, Whereupon Philip
put his arms around her, gathered her
close and kissed her. Lucille started
with indignation but he checked her
with a hurried. For heavens sake,
don't spoil everything. Don't you un-
derstand? We must gain time to think
of a plan and must have an excuse.
This excuses Whispering Lucille did
not examine the logic of all this, hut
she looked up into his strong FACE and
something there that made her hide
her face against his shoulder. She
would help the bluff to his extent.
You see, dear, we must be lovers or
we would not be lingering here and he
knows that. We must make it plausi-
BILE
Lucille looked up a little dubious.
But" h said che can't haar you
now, and you needn't call me things
W. must live the part or he will
suspect u.s."
Lucille longed to look around. She
had lively visions Of the man n his
gun. Probably the grisIy weapon was
levelled upon them from that big fern.
She hid her face again. Philip bent till
his cheek brushed her hair-her dear
gold hair-even now he stopped to love
it. e he said softly but aloud
Darling won't you tell me again
that you love me? Say it, sweetheart
This was awful. She forgot about
the and thought only Of Philips
saying all that before the a And
how dare he say again. That Ia
would hin she mad always loved him
and she knew that she never had until
Say it. little girl Then she raised
her arms and put them about his neck
n whispered: Yes, Philip, I do"
n hastily retired to the shelter CT
his shoulder.
Then came a dreadful thought. That
if this vas only a bluff for the bur-
glar? What if Philip had not meant it
all? Oddly enough this idea just oc-
Cured to her. She flushed holly and
turning to him whispered: There isn't
[ that enough of this bluff? Tell ne
your plan and let's be doing some
thing"
Philips radiant face d%arkened, but
he answered quickly: Make some ex-
cuse about forgetting something; slip
out to the stable and get John and his
gun. and when he has had time tc
come, telephone to the police from the
dining room-and don't come back.
"A1ld leave 0 a alone? I won d.
it."
Then you care really" he asked il
a whisper.
why, Of course, I care and I Away
have L guess, though I didn't know ii
/ was afraid to. / suppose" This a.
aloud. "Really?" he insisted, still I'm
der his breath and she answered clos
to his ear. What else car I say witt
that awful man goodness now wher
and us standing here-like this" Phil
was in despair. Then he spoke:
well, dear, 1 must be going. w
must be disturbing you mother an
you are tired anyway And Inc brut
actually went toward the door.
Lucille flew to him, put her hands O
his shoulder and said: why Philip
you wouldn't go that a would you
Then very calmly, Aren't you going t
kiss me?"
Philip felt confused to say the least
his kaleidoscope acting was o niue
for him. but he kissed her until sh
threatened to whisper to him agar
n he must not permit that. The
must consider the burglar and he like
her better when she was running tn
bluff.
Now all this was manlfestly absur
and at last it occurred to Lucille tha
it wasn't right to keep the poor ma
there so long. She felt quite friendl
toward the burglar. He seemed to Quie
peaceable, unobtrusive man. beside
she hardly believed he was there at al
But Philip had discovered a pair {
muddy heels among the fringes Of tn
heavy portieres. and he said
sweetheart o promised me the Iii
, tie picture. Can't o get it tonight
Lucille started but he trowned at HI
po~rtentously for an instant. Then 81
whispered 'b~ackstalrS.' and Slippe
softly up the broad flight before ther
Philip never knew what a terrific tri
P, Of courage it was for her to turn {
light after light and expect at eac
, flash to be confronted with a mask al
: pistol. until finally she was out doc
. again and had Weakened John in
. stable.
: Meanwhile Philip sat down and co
= templated those heels and thought
= all the blessing their owner h
z brought him.. He could have hugg'
: that burglar and slapped him on t
l back, for they had between them ma
everything UGH a capital success, al
n now he would never near of Pla
s again. In bringing this about the Blu
glar had bestowed a benefit or mankil
= and fulfilled his mission, and the go