Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-08-28
TheIntruderS
BY TROY ALLISON.

apartment you might use Tor awhile'
Miss Marjorie; 1t wouldn't cost any
things and your little mite of money
would last longer"
Marjorie Kershaw's young face
frightened. Martha. you always
were dear, jsst like you used to be
when you and Bob lived on the farm
next to our place"
Martha Jordan nodded her head. 81
never thought I'd live to see you with
out relative. coming to work for
your living in the city, Miss Marjorie
she said dolefully.
The girls face clouded. Poor old
father. He never knew how to man
age things. l 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 well use the fat-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
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, yawnine
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 1t was, he let him
self into his apartment that night
about 9.
Reaching for the electric light, h'
stumbled over his silver teapot. ant
the girl on the couch sat up suddenly
her sleepy eyes blinking from thu
light She gave one gasp thei
Strengthened herself on the couch. he
feet braced firmly on the floor.
He stood still. his establishment
aided by the silver teapot, giving hin
the appearance of detected guilt.
aren't you-ashamed of yourself? 2
she asked sternly.
II don't seem able to analyze IN.
feelings" the doctor said doubtfully
"To think OF man breaking into
house and stealIng-teapots," she sail
accusingly
81 seem to have only one" he haz
arded excusingly.
Its just as bad as dozen-it'
stealing" her young voice full o
righteous indignation.
The doctor grlpped the teapot an
stared wonderingly at her tumble
hair and flushed face. at doesn
seem quite as bad TO steal Just one
you seem little hard on man"
Il don't just know what 10 do wit
you" redectiyely. you see, / neve
caught a burglar before and don
know what to do"
would you mind my sitting dow
while you think it over? OF course
don't expect you to have much syn
patty for me-you have never had an
temptation to take things that didn
belong to you
Her face turned red as she remen
bered the money she had saved b
using some ones apartment withot
permission.
but tonight | was tired and hui
cry
Il might give you something to eat
she said hesitatingly, but I'm afral
to take my finger off this bell
LET me fix something to eat"
suggested. with alacrity. you 5
still and watch me and ring the De
If | begin TO do anything suspicious
He went to a cabinet and found son
tea, then started the alcohol lam
There are some olives and sardin'
and a box of crackers in the chair
dish cabinet" he said while he p'
the kettle TO boil
'You must have ransacked the who
apartment before / awoke," she sa
indignantly.
"Well--er-I do seem TO rememb
where TO find things-thats my pr
fession, you know"
Have you put any of the doctor
things In that grip!" she pointed to q
satchel he had left on the floor.
The doctor scorned to tell lie. ev'
when he was cornered. "Only a fe
Of his collars and cuffs" sxtenuatin
ly You see, rather needed sor
clean things"
Il should think you did" Her CLAN
took i'm the coal dust sprlnkled ov
his face. the tweed cap set rakish
on his head and the loose Norfo
jacket he had worn TO travel I'm. "Ev
IL you are poor. you might keep yo
: face clean. / wouldn't have blam
you much II you had taken cake
I:YX77vE 81.