Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-13

| cease giggling, and hold the ladder
steady. Polly, I'm going in"
And before her niece, agonized be-
tween mirth and anxiety could raise
| Il protest, she had thrust head and
l'shoulders through the opening.
The window was pretty high from ne
floor, and when she saw the gulf into
which she was apparently about to fall
head foremost, the valiant lady re
coiled. Now, whether it was the fault
Of her dressmaker, who had artifi-
cially elevated her sleeves, or merely
the cruelty of fate-who knows but
she stuck In vain she wrigeled as
much as she dared. Her feet were on
Il rung, but they did not support her;
wedged half ill., half out, she hung in A
sorry plight, depressing an inclination
to scream lest she should startle those
below into letting the ladder slip. Then
dimly she heard voices, a rough rattle
at the handle, and, lifting her apoplec-
tic countenance, beheld the door open
and Mr. Lindsay walk in, followed by
his nephew.
PART H.
The house had not been so much
shut up as Selma had reported. The
cab had carried only the housemaid
away on holiday: the cook -housekeeper
had been suddenly called away to a
sick mother and consequently the two
gentlemen mad dined out. Only a mo-
ment before the pane was broken Mr..
Lindsay was quietly opening the front
door.
Hullo, what's that noise?" he de-
roa n Of
stairs.
Tom heard too, and felt guilty. He
had been specializing all day whether
ne would best improve Miss Polly's ac-
quaintance by restoring his captive at
once or by suggesting a few little pri-
vate search parties along the Dud-
dingston road or the beach. 1t struck
him suddenly that puss had had little
food that day, and might be trying to
get out.
BY Jove, if L catch d burglar on the
premises I'll crack his crown. Take
one of those golf clubs. Tom. and hand
me another And Mr.. Lindsay slipped
upstairs on tiptoe, followed by his
nephew, who felt he must exercise all
his ingenuity to save Orange Blossom
from the deadly stroke of the brasSy.
Unhappily. relying on his monopoly of
the place. he had left the key in the door,
and with a triumphant Aha" his un-
Gle opened it, swinging the club in the
air. He almost let his weapon fall
when he saw Miss Kirkwood, wild and
dishevelled, in the attitude of swim
ming through the window.
For Il moment nobody spoke-the
flash of wicked glee Illuminated Mr.
Lindsay's rugged features.
We'll, madam. what do you want in
my humble abode?' he asked sarcastic
cally.
You know quite we'll what | want"
painted the poor lady.
Il assure you no."
Thief! Orange Blossom."
"Oh. l suspected that imp of mis-
chief was at the bottom of it. No
madam. l have not seen your cat. But
allow me to help you out of an-er-
position"
Monster Don't touch me-"
The monster retreated with re-
signed shrug.
We'll, of course, if it is your desire
to act as a drdught stopper for the rest
of your natural life-it will look a
little eccentric, but a lady's wish must
be respected"
This was Toms opportunity. and he
seized it with Napoeonic insight. Be
sides. he was much too kind hearted
not to be moved by the sight of the
ruiiled little woman.
ALLOW me, Miss Kirkwood," he said
gracefully, propelling a broken chair
to the wall. IF you will rest your
hands here and let me draw you
through Il little-here we arel" and
putting Il strong arm round her he
landed her slIlilfully on the floor.
Nov, please point out where your
cat is" said Mr.. Lindsay. Poor Miss
krkWood peered about in vain Tom
mad bolted as soon as the door was
opened.
He was here" she asserted tremb-
ling and almost crying. Il saw HIM at
the window. If any harm happens to
him, Eli have you summoned, you ma
licious man.
And what do you deserve, madam?
You are guilty of burglarious entry and
defamation of character and breach of
peace and
Once more Tom came to the rescue.
He had meanwhile thrust his head out
of the window mad explained matters
to the alarmed damsels below. He now
offered Miss Kirkwood his arm. and
led her to her own front gate, soothing
her all the time. expressing his posi-
tive belief in his uncle's innocence, but
pledging his word to search the house
from garnet to cellar He kept his
promise; but. sad to say. having found
pussy under the kitchen dresser, he
merely restored him to durance vile,
taking the precaution to tie him into a
hamper.
Thirty six hours later the matutinal
postman. going briskly on his rounds
left at Marengo Villa long, blue, Of
fetal looking envelope. Passing on, he
dropped a similar one into the letter
box of the next house, and tramped off
whistling, little thinking what bomb
shells he had left behind Polly, deep
in an effusive girlish scrawl, was
startled by d scream. and looking up.
saw that her aunt had fallen back in
her chair and was regarding with hor-
ror a large sheet of paper half writ