Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-09-17
heIntruderS;
BY TROY ALLISON.
BY TROY ALLISON.
Copyright, 1907. by Homer sprasue.

The janitoe's wife allowed herself
to hesitate and was lost. There's an
apartment YOU might use for awhile.
Miss Marjorie; 1t wouldn't cost any
thing, and Your little mite Of money
would last kmger."
Marjorie Kershaw's young face
Frightened. Martha. you always
were dear, just like you used to be
when you ard Bob lived on the farm
next to our place"
Martha Jordan nodded her head. II
never thought I'd live to. see you with
out a relative. coming to work for
your living In the city, Miss Marjorie. J"
she said dolefully.
The girls face clouded. Poor old
father! He never knew how to man.
age things. believe it was the
thought Of leaving me unprovided for
that FASTENED his death"
Mrs. Jordan took latchkey from
behind the clock. "Dearie. you might
us well use the fiat-it won't do any
harm. and 1t will make your money
hold out longer. DIR. Ingram won't
know the difference"
The girl reveled in the luxury of the
apartment. Accustomed to the plain,
ness of a rambling old country house.
the Turkish rugs and the artistic fur
nishings seemed the height OF mag
nificence. She succeeded in securing n
position to teach primary music In a
private school, after much worry and
many letters written by the rector OF
her home church. She was to board
and room at the school when the term
commenced. and she thought regret
fully Of giving up her present artistic
quarters.
Mrs. Jordan received one afternoon
letter telling her when to have the
rooms ready-and Marjorie Kershaw
sprinkled the doctors plants that
| night.
She determined to make some pay
ment for her free lodging. So she
took from the top Of the bookcase the
old silver tray with its tea service.
She would polish the doctors silver
and leave his apartments in good con-
dition. She probably spent too much
energy on the first piece, for, yawnins
in the coming twilight, she leaned
back on the pillows Of the couch. the
silver spread around on the floor. and
fell fast asleep.
If old Mrs. Van Lear had not chosen
to get sick and to have refused to al.
low any one except her pet physician
to look after her. John Ingram would
have conformed to Mrs. Jordan's
opinion. and never have known any
thing about It. AS it was, he let him.
self into his apartment that night
about 8.
Reaching for the electric light. he
stumbled over his silver teapot. and
the girl on the couch sat up suddenly.
her sleepy eyes blinking from the
light. She gave one gasp, then
Strengthened herself on the couch. her
feet braced firmly on the floor.
He stood still. his establishment.
aided by the silver teapot. giving him
the appearance Of detected guilt.
Aren't you-ashamed Of yourSelf?'
she asked sternly.
81 don't seem able to analyze my
feelings" the doctor said doubtfully.
ITO think Of man breaking into q
house and stealing-teapots." she said
accusingly.
~ seem TO have only one," he haz.
arded excuslngly.
"It's just as bad as dozen-it's
stealing" her young voice full of
| righteous Indignation.
The doctor grlpped the teapot and
stared wonderingly at her tumbled
hair and flushed face. at doesn't
seem quite as bad to steal just one;
you seem a little hard on man."
81 don't Just know what to do with
YOU" reilectively. "You see. | never
caught Il burglar before and don't
know what to do
Would you mind my sitting down
while you think it over? OF course
don't expect you to have much SYM
patty for me-you have never had any
| temptation to take things that didn't
belong to YOU
Her face turned red as she remem
Dered the money she had saved by
| using some ones apartment without
permission.
but tonight l was tired and hun
cry
Il might give you something to eat,
she said hesita!ingy. but I'm afraid
to take my finger Off this bell"
Let me fix something to eat" he
suggested. with alacrity. you SIT
still and watch me and ring the bel
II begin to do anything suspicious
He went to cabinet and found some
| tea. then started the alcohol lamp
| There are some olives and sardines
and a box of crackers In the chainl
dish cabinet" he said while he pu1
the kettle TO boil.
You must have ransacked the whole
apartment before l awOke," she SAID
Indignantly.
"Well-er-I do seem to remember
where to find things-that's my pro
fessiOn, you know"
Have you put any Of the doctors
things In that grip?" She pointed to the
satchel he had left OH the floor.
The doctor scorned to tell lie, ever
when he was cornered. "Only a few
Of his collars aud cuffs" extenuating
ly. "You see. I-rather needed some
clean things"
II should think you did" Her glance
! took In the coal dust spriukled ovel
his face, the tweed cap set rakishl,
on his head aud the loose Nor;oll
jacket he had worn to travel in. Ever
II you are poor. you might keep YOU
| face clean. wouldn't have blamet
you much II YOU had taken cake q
the Doctors sOap-he uses awfully nic'
soap," reminiscently.
would y0u-er-take cup Of tea
or are you above eating with bur
glar?"
Her young eyes were hungry-it hat
t,sen hours since Mrs. Jordan's earl!
dinner. She hesitated, then held on
her hand.
'T'll take the tea," she said finally
"and I'm going to tell you why I'm no
going to turn you over to the police"
The doctor allowed just the proper
amount Of surprised Joy to beam II
his face. "You are going to let me
go?" he gacped.
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