The Somerset reporter., 1907-10-10
Theintruders
BY TROY ALLISON.
Copyright. 1907. by Homer sprague.
Observation-Disclosures;

The ianitor's wife allowed herself
10 hesitate and was lost There's an
snartment you might use for awhile.
Miss Marjorie; 1t wouldn't cost any
thing and your little mite of money
would last longer"
Marjorie Kershaw's young face
frightened. Martha. you always
were a dear. just like you used to be
when you and Bob lived on the farm
next to our place"
Martha Jordan nodded her head. ~
never thought I'd live TO see you with
out a relative, coming to work for
YOUR living In the city, Miss Marjorie"
sbe said dolefully.
The girls face clouded. poor old
father! He never knew how to man.
age things. believe 1t was the
thought Of leaving me unprovided for
that fastened his death"
Mrs. Jordan took latchkey from
behind the clock. "Dearie, you might
as we'll use the flat-it won't do any
harm. and 1t will make your money
hold out longer. DR.. Ingram won't
know the difference"
The girl reveled In the luxury of the
apartment. Accustomed to the plain
ness of rambling old country house,
the Turkish rugs and the artistic fur
nishings seemed the height OF mag
nifcence. She succeeded In securing
position to teach primary music In
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.
dltion She probably spent too much
energy on the first piece, for, yawning
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 1t. AS 1t 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 yourselfY'
she asked sternly.
~ don't seem able to analyze my
feelings" the doctor said doubtfully.
ITO think of man breaking into a
house and stealing-teapots." she said
accusingly.
az seem to have only one" he haz-
arded excusingly.
ITS just as bad as a dozen-it's
stealing" her young voice full of
righteous indignation.
The doctor gripped 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 little hard on a man."
81 don't just know what to do with
YOU" reiectively. "You see, l never
caught burglar before and don't
know what to do"
Would you mind my sitting down
while you think 1t over? or course
don't expect you to have much sym
pathy for me-you have never had any
temptation to take things that didn't
belong to you
Her face turned red as she remem.
bered the money she had saved by
using some ones apartment without
permission.
but tonight 1 was tired and hun
gry''-
Il might give you something to eat, -
she said hesitatingly, "but I'm afraid
to take my finger of this bell"
Let me tx something to eat" he
suggested, with alacrity. "You sit
still and watch me and ring the bell
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 box Of crackers In the chatting
dish cabinet" he said while he put
the kettle to boil.
You must have ransacked the whole
apartment before I 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
Alngs Athat grIp?" She pointed to the
iatehel he had left on the floor.
The doctor scorned to tell lie, even
When he WAS cornered. "Only few
II his collars and cuffs" extenuating-
y You see. rather needed some
clean things"
u should think you did" Her glance
took in the coal dust sprinkied over
ols face, the tweed cap set rakishly