The Washington herald., 1907-08-26
THE INTRUDERS.
By TROY ALLISON.

The janitor's wife allowed herself to
hesitate and was lost There's an apart
ment you might use for a while, Miss
Marjorie. it wouldn't cost anything, and
your little mite OF money would last
Longer"
Marjorie Kershaw's young face bright
ened. Martha You always were a dear
Just like you used 10 be when you and
Bob lived on the farm next 20 our place,
Martha Jordan nodded her head. II
never thought I'd live 10 see you without
a relative, coming to work for your living
I'm the city. Miss Marjorie" she said dole
fully
The girls face elouded Poor old
father He never knew how TO manage
things I believe it was the thought of
leaving me unprovided for that FASTENED
his death
Mrs. Jordan took a latch key from be-
hind the clock. "Dearie, you might as
well use the flat-it won't Go any harm,
and il Will make your money hold out
longer. Dr. Ingram won't know the diff
ference.
'But-woGld it be right?" the girl hest
tated. and suppose he should find OUT
Not much chance. Martha said airily,
"Dr. Ingram has gone 20 Denver TO get
back his nerve. lie left this key So
could water his plants. The doctors crazy
over plants. and his front room looks like
a flower garden
The girl reveled in the luxury of the
apartment. Accustomed To the plainncss
Of a rambling old country house - the
Turkish rugs and the artistic furnishings
seemed the height of magnidceuce. She
succeeded in securing a position 70 teach
primary music in a private school-after
much woTry and many letters written hy
the rector of her home church. She was
to board and room al the school. when
the term commenced, and she thought re-
gretfully Of giving up her present artistic
quarters.
Mrs. Jordan received one afternoon a
letter telling her when 70 have the rooms
ready, and Marjorie kershaw spriukled
the doctors plants that night
She determined TO make some payment
for her free l0dging-so she took from
the top of the bookcase the old silver
tray with lis tea service-she would pol
ish the doctors silver and leave his
apartments IN good condition. She prob
ably spent too much energy on the frst
piece. for, yawning in the coming twi-
light she leaned back on the pillows Of
the couch. the silver spread around on
the floor, and fen fast asleep.
If old Mrs. Van Lear had not chosen
to get sick and 10 have refused 20 allow
any one except her pet physician to
look after her. John Ingram would have
c0nfOrmed 10 Mrs. Jordan's opinion, and
never have known anything about t. As
IA, 9Ftf b.
that night about g.
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 her
self on the couch. her feet braCed firmly
on the floor. I'm not afraid Of you.'
she said bTeathessly, cycling The teapot
in his hand and wondering what he had
already put in the small grip beside him.
He stood still, his establishment, aided
by the silver teapot. giving him the APP
pearance of detected guilt
aren't you-ashamed of yourself?" she
asked sternly.
i don't seem able to analyze my feel
ings." the doctor said. dOubtfult.
To think Of Il man breaking into a
house and stealing-teapots." she said
accusingly.
Il only seem to have one" he hazatded
eNcusingly.
IT'S just as bad as a dozen-iCs steal
ing, her young voice fun Of righteous
indignation.
The doctor gripped the teapot and
stared wOnderingly at her tumbled hair
and flushed face. 1T doesn't seem quite
as bad TO steal just one; sou seem a
little hard on man
zones enough 10 get you into trou-
bic" judiciously. Have you ever been
in jail?" she asked, with frank curiosity
NO. thank heaven" he responded. fer
vently, ''yOu-yOu wouldn't send me 10
Jail, would y0u?" the doctor was begin
ming TO enjoy his histrionic talent, and
put eloquent pleading in his eyes.
7 don't just know what to do with
you, reflectjveiy You see. never
caught a burglar before, and don't know
what 10 do"
would You mind my sitting down
while you think it over? OF course. I
don't expect you TO have much sympathy
for me-you nave never had any tempta-
ton 10 take things thar didn't belong to
you-
Her face turned red as she remembered
gay llltl-i4 o4iC 4i.Q edNtu ny NStlB some
ones apartment without PERMISSION.
But tonight I was tired and hun
Cry
i might give YOU something to eat"
she said. hesitaunglv, but I'm afraid 10
take my finger off this bell"
Let me fix something to eat" he sug-
gested, with alacrity: you sit still and
watch me. and ring the bell if begin to
do anything suspicious" He went to a
cabinet and found some tea, then started
the alcohol lamp. There are some olives
and sardines and box Of crackers in the
chaang dish cabinet" he said, while he
put the kettle 10 boil
You must have ransaCked the whole
apartment before I awoke, she said in
dignantly
Weller do seem to remember where
to find things-that's my profession, you
know"
Have you put any of the doctors
things in that grip" she pointed to the
satchel he had left on the floor.
The doctor scorned TO tell a lie. even
when he was corncred. only a fey OF
his collars and cuffs" extenuatingly.
You see, I-rather needed some clean
things"
I should think you did Her glance
took in the coal dust sprinkled over his
face, the tweed cap set rakishiy on his
head. and the loose Norfolk jacket he had
worn 10 travel in. Even If you are poor,