Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15
NTH Complete Bur$IarM

claimed in some indignation. "T never saw 9
prettier girl than Jessie Maitland"
"Oh, I did-today!" he said coolly. Curious
lily enough" he added, after moments silence
during which mentally placed his dark face and
Jessies fair one side by side, and decided-wlth
an inexpcable sense of irritation-that they
would make remarkably comely pair, my 1es
sizes surname was Maitland. too"
l eyed him, divided between anger and bewil'
derment. He went placidly on with his supper,
smiling to himself now and again, till wished
could borrow some of the pleasant Thoughts
that were evidently occupying his mind For
though it was next door to impossible TO tnink
OF danger, as 1 sat opposite him under the clear
| light, and watched his pleasant, dark face, ana
listened to his wellbred voice, yet knew that
his first movement to rise would drive the blood
from my face and fear to my heart.
| Besides, even without the dread of what the
small hours held for me- alone with my unwel-
come visitor, my own sense told me was doing
wrong and foolish thing True, / could not
help myself against him; but then was to plane
for choosing to be left alone in the solitary
house. With what eyes would Uncle Geoffrey
look on me when he returned the next day, and
found his dwelling despoied of its fine old sill
yer and what other portable articles OF value
might please the fancy Of this politest OF burg
lars?
grew now hot, now cold, as I pictured Mrs.
ner in which had sent her packing at midday,
declaring to Janet, my maid, that would rath-
er do the work myself than entrust it to a
drunkard and thief; Janet's own fearful ex-
cuses for her desertion of me to spend night
with her sick mother; and the broad grins OF
Harris the handyman, whom l had ordered
three days back to pass his days in the garden,
and his nights in the village, damper on
the exuberant condescension which he displayed
towards Janet and myself. Finally, l recalled
my refusal of an invitation to sleep at the rec
tory, which Uncle Geoffrey had expressly de-
sired me to accept.
I trembled, reviewing the future which my
own impulsive folly had darkened, and looked
up at my burglar, casting about in my mind for
suitable phrases wherein to couch an appeal to
his manhood. q
He seemed to have been waiting to catch my
eye, for he spoke instantly:
''If you'll accord me permission to sleep on
that very inviting sofa saw in the kitchen,
sha'n't need to trespass on your kindness fur
ther," he said.
My heart sank.
"Sleep-sleep in the kitchen? Pass the night
here?" If he had seen the sofa, what else had
he not seen?
cast looks of utter dismay and frantic ap-
peal at him.
He grew red, and exclaimed hastily:
"Oh. well-is there-can sleep in the stable,
or the stable-loft? I've walked from Exeter
lost the last train up here, OF wouldn't
have"
"You can't sleep here" I said, turning every
color of despair "You must knock for the peo-
ple at the George and Dragon. l."
/ stopped.
He said nothing but looked down at his boots.
So did I.
He put, first one foot, then the other, upon
chair, while his eyes mutey invited my attention
to the state of his footgear.
He could sleep at the stationmaster's house,
but that was mile away. and with those
boots"