Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-07-30

ing robes, chung to one another, whis-
pering In the dark. As the hands OF a
tiny bedroom clock slowly crept around
toward the hour Of 3 they began to
realize the rashness of their undertak-
ing. Miss Harriet. the more coura-
geous of the two. was less inclined than
ever to meet this unknown man and
but for her promise to her younger
friend would have declined point blank
to take the risk.
sImogene." she murmured earnestly.
eft Is not too late to change our plans,
We still have ten minutes left. Why
not let me call father and tell him
everything? He and Lord Croyland
and Mr.. Van der Awe could meet the
man, overpower him and get your let
tiers back, and nothing would ever
come Of IT,"
At this sensible suggestion Miss
Imogene again exhibited symptoms OF
hysteria.
"Oh, Harriet, darling, please" she
quavered, you've promised me! And
you can't refuse when it's nearly time.
I'm not going to faint or scream OF
anything like that. TIL be just as
brave as a-a--fion-no, not lion
maybe. but some other kind Of animal
that isn't so terribly afraid. You
needn't be scared. I'll take care OF
you, Hattie. dear. Now, do be sensible
Isn't It time to gor
Miss Harriet looked at the timepiece
nodded, sighed and took the others
hand. They opened the bedroom door
peeped out and listened. Nothing could
be heard but the ticking Of the hal
clock. the. sound OF the wind outside
and a mellow snore that oozed from
Mr.. Renwyck's room across the hall.
III wish he'd stop it, whispered
lnogene; 1T makes ones hair rise up
Don't let 60 my hand. darling please
"Hush,r breathed Harriet and led
the way along the silent upper hall
Slowly the two gentle conspirators
tipped down the gloomy stairs. start
ing at a cracking step beneath their
feet, fearful OF dangers unknown. but
menacing. that seemed to turk at every
turn. In safety they reached the lower
hall at last paused, then drew aside
the heavy porfieres which masked the
entrance 30 the library.
II the hall outside was gloomy. the
room which they entered was darker
still BY q sickly light which filtered
through the draperies OF the window
opposite they could see the shadowy
outlines Of the desk, the top Of silver
inkstand and ghostly high backed
chair, while In an angle Of the wall
they deserted the metal disk of the
combination lock on Mr.. Renwyck's
safe.
They waited In silence till the c1ocl,
In the hall behind them doomed out
the hour Of 3 In solemn, measured
cadence, and as the last echo died away
they heard cautious tapping on the
window pane
"Oh, Lord, It's himw gasped limo
gene. forgetting grammar and all else
indeed. except her human terror In the
situation. while she chung to Harriet's
arm and shook from hesd to heel
"Don't tremble so, Harriet, darling
You--you make We want to scream"
'S-s-s-h." her friend admonished
"Don't speak above whisper now
Leave 1t to me. There; I'm not afraid.
siiss Renwyck. having once keyed
her nerves to the point of meeting q
stranger In the dark. was not a woman
to falter In the crucial moment.
sense of calm was settling upon her
and, though her heart beat faster thar
was its wont. she was now in posses
sion Of her every faculty and could
face the danger without tremor Of
her voice or hand.
"You keep the purse" she whispered
to Imogene. "Stand where you are
and don't speak single word. Really
dear. there isn't much danger, aftel
all. Yet remember" she smiled, ''yor
have promised to be little lion. ant
the man is only oddy-poddykins.'
She wondered afterward at this 1asl
OF humor. yet 1t Glanced to be tn,
saving grace, for the terrified Miss
Imogene was crouched in the library
doorway. striving at once to be tn,
king Of beasts and to keep her teetl
from chattering. In both efforts. alas
she failed.
Miss Renwyck crossed the room. FUN
bled an instant for the electric switch
then turned or the burglar alarm
She dared not make a light, lest 1t b,
noticed II any one came into the uppe
hall. Then. breathing an inward pray
err. she Unattached the window, raised
the sash aud stepped backward to I
point Of vantage beside the desk.
At first she saw nothing. but present
ly found herself enveloped for an in
slant In flash Of light from small
bullseye lantern and heard q low ex
clamation OF surprise from the dark
ness outside. Harriet rose to the emer
gency
''Mr. Fitzgeorge." she began In /
guarded undertcne. II am Miss Rem
wyck Besides Miss Chittendon ant
myself. there Is no one here"
There was silence for moment.
"Do you give me your word OF
thatY asked the voice
II do"
"On your honor as ladyY
sOn my honor
The light dashed out. and the head
and shoulders OF man appeared
above the window sill.
~waitr' commanded Harriet. ~Ar,
you aloneY'
"Sure," said the man; 'you can SEE
for yourself, Miss Renwyck." and
thereupon be climbed cautiously int