The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1909-10-14


gave a quick glance at the house.
Then he ascended to the porch and
tried to open the door. Something
prevented him the key he carried
didn't fit, or the door was bolted.
He hesitated moment as II un-
decided Then he went around the
house and tried the side door, and
the rear door. Neither yielded to his
efforts Evidently determined to
enter he went to the rear of the
garage and brought forth a ladder.
Placing this against the porch be as
cended to the roof and a moment
later had disappeared through a rear
window.
And Marjorie Lane saw all this
from the house next door. Marjorie
was alone in the house. Her mother
was away on a visit, the maid was
taking her afternoon out, and her
father was at his office. Marjorie had
been reading in the little reception
hall, when the mans footsteps on
the porch next door aroused her. She
looked out and saw him.
The house next door had been un-
tenanted for several weeks. The
Stetsons had gone to New York on
visit. 1t was rumored they would
stay. But their furnishings were
still in the house. They were fine
furnishings, too, as Marjorie knew.
And here was a stranger, in mid-af-
ternoon, feloniously endeavoring to
anter the deserted homo
Marjorie ran back when the
stranger went round the house, and
from kitchen window hidden be-
hind the shade, saw him bring up the
ladder and enter the window.
The girl turned pale. This was the
sort of felony that had become so
common. The stranger had found
that the house was untenanted and
had chosen the most quiet time of the
day for his nefarious work. No doubt
he was in there now, picking over
Mrs. Stetson's choicest treasures and
selecting only the most valuable for
his bundle of loot
What should she do?
With shock she remembered that
the telephone was out of order. 1t
had suddenly ceased to do duty at
luncheon time. Her father, who had
come home to please Marjorie. had
tried to call his Office and failed.
The phone is out of order" he
told her. II will call them up from
the office and report it,"
Marjorie gave another little start
when she
entirely probable that the daring
housebreaker next door had deliber-
ately cut off the service to serve his
he1arlouF ends. A shipped wire
would do it. A bad man who took
such chances would know how to
surround himself with safeguards.
The house on the other side of the
Lane home was empty, too. The
Emmets were all away on a vaca-
tlon trip-Mr. Emmets vacation.
one could give no alarm there. Nor
was 1t probable any outcry she
raised in the street would bear prac-
ucai results. She was quite sure
that the, only man within hearing dis
lance would prove to be that very
paa individual who even now presum-
aoly was sampling Mrs. Stetson's
cnolcest household treasures.
Marjorie hesitated and wrunp her
hands. There wasn't a weapon in
tne mouse, not even stove poker
stove pokers being unknown in
homes heated by natural gas.
Besides, what would an entire mr.
senai avail her in the present d.
iemma! The man would presently
eherge with his bundle of plunder
anu hurry away. He might go over
tne back fence, or the side fence. or
across the roofs. To pursue him
win nrearms seemed out of the ones
uoh-more especially as there were
no firearms available.
having no other recourse Marjorie
determined to wait.
She looked at the library clock II
was $40. AT O'Clock her father had
promised to be home. They were 90
ing out to dinner. II the marauder
Tonid be sufficiently deliberate next
uoor IT was possible her father wouId
return in time.
one was sure he would know inst
what to do. He father was that sort
Oh man. II she could only cali hir,
and she looked pathetically AT The
useless phone. '"e
lhen step sounded on the next
uoor porch. Marjorie ran back to the
naii' The man was letting himself
OUT OF the Stetson door.
he closed the door carefully and
crossed the porch. He was carrving
Soniething--a heavy suit case.
AS ne went down the stems Mar
yorles heart futtered wildly. She
iHus'ht let him get away like this
she opened the screen door o,a
ran out on the porch. The man had I
passed the house, going toward the
venue She hurried after him
Sir" she cried.
he turned around suddenlv.-and
jingled. s"'e soitiy
marjorie shrank back.
me man looked a little startled
Did you call me?" he asked.
~ was evident that he had a n,.r-
uiui supply OF nerve.
Yes" Marjorie stammered wb.,
could she say next? Have Won
moments timer" she asked
why. yes,' he answered "sev-
eral moments" Wv