The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-11-02

ARISH, La, THURSDAY
there was nothing at all, so far as she
knew, whereupon assured her that no
better guarantee of safety could he de-
sired, for serious minded burglars new
er entered a house containing nothing
Of value.
II wish you'd come round an tell
that to my wife," said the driver. 'She
makes me sleep with loaded shotgun
standin' agin the head O. the bed. an
then she's so derned scared for fear the
gun III go of that she sets up all night
to watch It,"
At this he struck his inflrm steed
spiteful blow, and the creature ambled
along with the gait Of toy horse
carved from a single piece Of wood
until we came to Cousin Jim's house,
which was the last on the street. Be
yond was a large vacant corner lot
and then highway scantily adorned
with residences AS q mark for mid
night marauders Cousin Jim's domicils
was we'll set. and l said so jocularly
to the driver while presenting him
with a small token Of my esteem.
You're right" said he, pocketing my
coin, and then he added in low voice,
There's stuff in that house that the
young lady don't know about-stu0
that's worth stealin'"
"What stuff? said l. But he shook
his head as he climbed into the wagon.
x dunno nothin' pers' 'nally," said he.
II only know what folks say. Get up,
| Calamity"
The we'll named steed moved OF. and
l turned toward the house. There was
| a dim light in the hall, and a brighter
| glow shone from some windows In the
second story. Margaret was leaning
out from the railing Of the veranda
and calling to her mother to come
down and unlock the screen door.
paused upon the walk and for the nrst
time became fully aware Of the sin.
gular oppressiveness Of the night. The
air was utterly stagnant; but, looking
aloft, saw a scurrying mass of little
clouds like disordered troops in 70
treat
| AS 1 lowered my eyes there came
prolonged flash Of lightning. like Sc
ries of winks, and by this illumination
saw the figure Of a man crcuchinl
behind a bush at the far corner Of th.
house In my ordinary state Of nerves
this would not have startled me. Tit
mans presence might have simpi
explanation. and, even though be wss'
there upon dishonest business, b
might easily be frightened OF.
Before l could decide what to d
Mrs Stanwood and Uncle Henry up
pearetl at the door. I picked up M
satchel from the walk and hurrie'
forward In a tremulous voice MIR:
Stanwood expressed her pleasure q
my coming, and she introduced me t
!. Uncle Henry, hesitating man wh
seemed always to be afraid that b
had forgotten something.
Il must be going" said he at the eal
liest possible moment THE folks 9
, home will be anxious"
He stood a moment rubbing his chi
. obviously and then bade US good nigf
and wandered away, shaking his hea'
+ I was shown to my room, and att
: removing the stains of travel I joine
y the ladies In the sitting room ON Il
J.. second floor.
q They seemed to be struggling vii
b some vague alarm.
!. mamma thinks she heard q moi,
. down in the Kitchen" said Na1garst
explanation.
a "Show me that noise" said I. takiz
i the pose OF stage hero, "and vi
q beat its brains out"
The kitchen is at the far end Of Il
hail." responded Mrs. Stanwood. ''Th
little house Is built on straight line
When all the doors are open. you CT
stand in the front vestibule and see Il
big tree in the back yard through Il
kitchen window. Still there's no re
need Of your going down there"
The last sentence was SO obvious
tns!ncere that gave it no heed. l /
| gan to descend the stairs.
| You might make sure that the fro
| door is locked" called Mrs. Stanwoe
This suited me precisely. for what
| chiefly desired was to get look Of
| side. Therefore opened the inn
| glass paneled door Of the vestibr
| with the intention Of going out up
! the veranda and came face to face vi
| a squarely built, grim visaged ms
! roughly dressed and wearing cap.
It was an even chance in the hrst
slant whether should faint away
y leap at the villains throat, and ther
I bethought me that he must be Robe
the manservant.
| Robert" said in low voice, ~
! 1t you whom saw at the corner Of
a house q few minutes ago?"
He stared at ME moment, th
shook his head and passed on into
house without word.
l stepped outside and walked fr
end to end Of the velanda and lool
ho along the sides of the house; but,
r.. though l was favored By several fiasl
from the heavens, l saw nothing OF
to lurking marauder. I re-entered
house, locking the inner and ou
8c doors, and then walked straight n
Of ward to the kitchen.
mt Mrs. Stanwood had told me that
~, fAv