The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-24
TIE EVENING y7OR r

Rufh Catherwood

/ Boou' even tnougn It may only pc
four room fat
He washed the stains OF travel from
his face and hands, slipped on his smok-
| ing Jacket, and went over to the huui-
dor To his surprise the box was empty
! save for card on which was scrawl-
ed Had a party l owe you box,
With laugh he started for the win
dow Bert Niblo lived on the floor be-
low He would demand the immediate
return of couple Of the cigars. He
wanted chat with Bert anyway, and
the quickest way down was by the fire
escape.
His slippered feet made little or no
noise against the iron rungs. and pres
emily he stood on the landing below.
The windows were open and he stepped
into the room.
For moment the gloom blinded him,
then as his eyes became accust stoned TO
the dusk he started forward. AS he
did so there was a click and a feminine
hands.
The command had to be twice repeat
cd before he obeyed, but at last he
| comprehended that the order was in
tended for him, and he raised them
above his head.
There was a rustic of feminine dra-
peries, then the light was turned on, re-
vealing a girl who was pretty even In
spite OF the white eagerness of her face
Il beg your pardon" said Granville
somewhere. I thought these were Mr..
Nfblos apartments"
They are" was the quiet response.
You made the mistake Of seeing Mar.
was here
Not remarkable considering the fact
that he is a bachelor" he smiled. I'll
bet you are his sister,
Il am" she admitted, stifay.
Then you must know me- he be-
| gan. Il am Fred Grenville.'
Miss Niblo's nose raised itself in
protest. That is very clever of you
town and will not be back for another
/ week"
Great heavenl" he gasped. you
don't take me for a burglar, do you %
"Who else would be likely to make
entry by means Of the fire escape p"
she asked.
But burglar in smoking jacket
and slippers ?" he protested.
Il suppose it is a new dodge" she
explained Something like the dress
suit burglar. isn't it?''
but 1 really am Fred Grenville," he
pleaded. II always drop down to see
Bert by way of the fire escape. He
took all of my cigars for some party,
and when I got in ahead Of time to-
night I found his note and came down
after some.'
$50 you've been robbing Mr.. Gren-
ville's fat, too" she said. You must
!
But I tell you that am Grenville.'
he persisted. IT will show you
He reached into his hip pocket for
his card case. but at his first move the
pistol went up again. Put up your
hands or I'll shoot" warned a steady
voice, and GrenviIle's hands went up
He knew that she meant what she said.
house %'I he s sG MOST MOST of the p tenants
know me, and identification will be
easy
my brother will be in soon" she
said. Il feel safer this way.
Its mighty uncomfortable way,
he pleaded. May I not lower my
hands?"
If you keep them in your lap she
agreed, but keep them away from
your pockets. Sit in that chair"
She indicated a rocker by the window,
and into this he backed. She took
! seat in front of him, her finger on the
| trigger of the nasty looking revolver,
ready to shoot at the first sign Of an
outbreak. She was a western girl, he
remembered, and trained to the use of
| firearms.
How did you come to have that gun p
he asked curiously.
Il heard some one IN Mr.. Grenville's
rooms and knew it must be a burglar.
was just going upstairs when 1 heard
! you coming down"
when will Bert be back % he asked,
anxiously-
Mr. Niblo will be back in a short
time now" she said, formally.
Don't you think you had better call
the janitor or some one?'' he pleaded
1T will save a lot Of time"
i think it is safest just as we are
she said, sharply.
do You really think 1 look like a
| burglar" he asked
IT never saw q burglar before" she
admitted. Il don't know what they do
look like, but I suppose that there are
some Raffles in real life
We'll" he said, compIacently, Pm
glad 1 look ike a gentleman burglar,
anyhow. I should hate to have you
think look like the Bill Sykes type"
Betty smiled in spite Of herself, but
it was just for moment. though long
enough to make Grenville hope that she
would smile again.
II should think you would try to be
respectable'' she scoIded You look
like a man who might become a good
citizen
Pm gilt edged citizen" he protest
ed I'm a member OF the Reform club
and all sorts of good government things
I forget just what they are, but re-
member that I belong TO q lot"
Il suppose they cannot be very care
full in these large societies." she COM
mented. Still. it is a pity that they af-
ford you an excuse for posing as good
citizen"
Bert will guy the life. out Of you for
this he said, irreleventiy. ''I'll bet he
shrieks when he comes home. "
Betty started This visitor seemed to
know her brother very we'll What If
she had made a mistake? She knew he
spoke the truth when he said she would
never be permitted to forget it. Her
lips parted as If to speak. when a key
grated in the lock and the hall door
Hello. Bertr' shouted GrenviHe.
'sCome on in"
Hello, Freds' came the surprised re-
ply. when did you get back"
With a quick gesture Betty thrust the
revolver under the pillows OF the sofa
and looked appealingly at Crenville He
smiled and nodded inst as Nihln Gang