Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1907-07-26
THE : ::
L INTRUDER
a story by Troy Allison. J

4
an apartment YOU might use for a
while. Miss Marjorie; It wouldn't
cost anything. and your little mite
OF money would last longer"
Marjorie Kershaw young face
frightened. Martha. you always
We're a dear, just like you used to
De when YOU and Bob lived on the
farm next TO our place"
Martha Jordan nodded her head
l never thought ia live to see Won
without a relative. coming TO worL
for your living in the city. Miss
Marjorie she said dolefulIv
The girl $ face clouded Poor old
rather! He never knew how IN man
use 'nihgs believe It was the
thought OF leaving me unprovidad
Tor mat FASTENED his death"
Mrs. Jordon took a Iatchkev from
oehind The clock. "Dearie. Won might
as well use the fat: il won't do any
harm' and IL will make your money
hold out longer DR.. Ingram won't
know the difference
"But-wouId it be right" m.
girl hesitated. and suppose he
should find OUT"
Not much chance" Martha said
AIRY. DR.. ingram has gone IN
Denver TO get back his nerve He
left this key so could water his
plants. The doctors crazy over
plants, and his front room looks like
flower garden"
The girl revealed in the luxury NJ
he apartment Accustomed to the
plainness OF rambling country
house, the Turkish rugs and the ar
tistic furnishings seemed the height
OF magnincence. She succeeded I'm
securing a position TO teach primary
music In private school. after much
worry and many letters written bv
the rector of her home church She
was to board and room at the school
when the term commenced. and she
thought regretfully of giving up her
present artistic quarters.
Mrs. Jordan received one after
noon letter telling her when to
have the rooms ready, and Marjorie
Kershaw sprinkled the doctors
plants that night.
She determined to make some
payment for her free lodging. so
she took from the top OF the book
case the old silver tray with it's tea
service. She would polish the doe
tors silver and leave his apartments
In good condition. She probably
spent too much energy on the first
piece. for. yawning i'm the coming
twilight, she leaned back on the pill
lows Of the couch, the silver spread
around on the floor, and fell fast
asleep
If old Mrs. Van Lear had not
chosen 10 get sick and to have re-
fused TO allow anyone except her pet
physician to look after her. John In
gram would have conformed TO Mrs
Jordan's opinion. and never have
known anything about It. As II was
he let himself ito his apartmets that
night about o'clock
Reaching for the electric light. he
stumbled over his silver teapot, and
he girl on-the couch sat up sudden
y, her sleepy eyes blinking from the
light: She gave one gasp, then
Strengthened herself on the couch,
her feet braced firmly on the floor.
I'm not afraid Of you" she said
breathlessly, cycling the teapot IN his
hand and wondering what he had al
ready put in the small grip beside
him.
lie stood still, his astonishmeut,
aided by the silver teapot giving
him the appearance Of detected
guilt.
Aren't you-ahamed OF your
self?" she asked sternly.
II don't seem able to analyze my
feelings" the doctor aid doubtfully.
ITO think Of man breaking into
a house and stealing -teapots." she
aid accusingly.
Il only seem 70 have one" he
Iazarded excusingly.
ITS just as bad as dozen its
tealing." her young voice full of
ighteous Indignation
The doctor gripped the teapot and
started wonderingly at her tumbled
lair and flushed face. 1T doesn g
eem quite as bad 10 steal Just one;
on seem q little hard on a man"
"One's enough to get you int
trouble" iudiciously Have you
ever been in iall?" she asked with
frank curiosity.
40. thank heaven. hc responded
fervently. you you wouldn't send
me to JAIL would you?" the doctor
was beginning to enjoy his histrIonio
alent and put eloquent pleading iu
I Die eyes