Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-23

, shortly. You never wrote but twelve" ,"
 But I did," protested the trembling Imogene. You know did. Rod-er- I mean Mir. Fitzgeorge. Oh, Harriet, won't you make him give me the other two?
 "Yes, will" said Harriet firmly. "Mr Fitzgeorge, we have acted in good faith toward you and expect at least a fair return. You demanded $100. I have the money here in my hand but tell you once for all that shall not pay you unless you sur render all the letters to this child"
 q haven't got any more," the bur glar answered su!lenly. And, what's more, r. Ike paused at the sound of cat call from without and began fumbling in his pockets. "Why, here you are." he exclaimed in well feigned astonishment. producing the missing letters. q didn't know I had 'em, swear I didn't Take 'em, my dear. Pay up and we'll call it quits
 "And-and you won't publish the
 
 though terrified at the sound of her own whispers.
 ''No," said the man; C! give you my word as a gentleman" with singular misapprehension of the meaning of the term. Hurry with the dough. It's getting late"
 Assured that the letters completed Miss Imogene's indiscreet list, Miss Harriet tossed a roll of bills in the circle of light which was made by the bullseye lantern.
 You would better go nOw," she said in tone of disgust which she made no attempt to disguise. "1 will close the window after you"
 The man counted the money hurried ly, slipped it into his vest pocket and closed the slide of the lantern.
 Thank you,'' he murmured, with a most elaborate bow. "Im much oblig- ed to both of you. Rich people like you won't ever miss little sum like this, and it will make me remember you for many day, even without tho recollection of your pretty faces. You've been square by me, and I'll be square by you. And now one kiss all around, and we'll say good night"
 You scoundrcl" breathed Harriet. furious to her finger tips. Go in- stantly or will call for help"
 "Oh, no, you won't, my beauty" laughed the man. "I'll bet you've kissed uglier men than me before, and I'm going to take you down peg. You holler once and I'll shoot the man that comes to help you"
 Miss Renwyck, with the limp and whimpering Imogene clinging to her waist, moved slowly around the bill. Hard table, while the burglar watched her, breathing hard and following with catlike tread. He had taken per haps six steps. and his back was now turned toward the door which led inta the hall. Suddenly he felt savage grip about his neck and found himself with outflung arms, his mouth and nose smashed fiat against the table, W Nulle liHs ling ol NOiu olSCi hus pushed behind his ear.
 Steady. you hound, or I'll give you shot that you never saw in bil. liards"'
 The tone was low, but masterful, and Mir. Jack Bibbs was far too prudent gentleman to leopard his health by futile disobedience. Therefore he made no immediate attempt to move.
 On Harriet's brain, even in that dreadful instant, flashed vivid, in- sistent memory. Again she was perch ed on the quivering broncho's back. pressed onward in a reeling, dizzy pool of death, while in her ears rang words of sweet encouragement. And as then she had exercised her force of will. so now she saved herself once