The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1909-11-04
A7THEOCTACONHOUSE
1t Wasn't a Burglar That the
Pretty intruder Encountered.
BY CLARlssA MAckiE.


I,osamond Lee walked slowly down
the rose bordered path TO the tall stone
wall that inclosed the deserted house
next door The owners were abroad,
and there was no prospect of their i'm.
mediate return TO inhabit the Octagon
House. as il was called.
Rosamond had made many excur-
sions about the neglected grounds and
dreamed many dreams beneath the no.
bic trees that rose from the unkept
turf. She had taken toll of the bloom
ing flowers and shrubs in their sea-
sous, and now she fed the gray squlr-
rcls that raced up ana down the green
branches.
Her family laughed at her f0ndness
for the Octagon House and predicted Il
speedy abandonment when Mrs. Phil.
lips came home again, for Mrs. Phil
lips was old and irasciblc and much
feared by Rosamond since she was a
little child.
But on this glorious September day,
when the late monthly roses were bor-
lering the path with delicate sweet
ness, Rosamond, n fair, sweet rose her,
aclf. thought little of Mrs. Phillips in
distant Berlin. The day was made for
her-for her alone-and the Octagon
House!
she followed the stone wall to an In
tcrsecting fence which served as a
stepping stone. In q trice she had
Jumped lightly to the soft turf Of the
other side and sped swiftly across tho
| dapplcd green toward the house.
The crooked piazza, which followed
the outline of the old house, was COW
cred with Virginia creeper, even now
| turning to brilliant scarlet and gold.
| In one corner where the vines hung
| low and formed curtain were long
wicker chair and pile of Rosamonds
| favorite books.
She had tired of reading and was
sitting half drowsy with sleep when a
step on the piazza reused her. Never
before had any one trespassed on her
chosen retreat.
She parted the vines and peeped
| through to discover a mans tall form
bent to peer into the half drawn shades
| of the long windows. He Strengthened
up again, and she saw that his clothes
fwere gray and dusty and that white
dust powdered his dark hair. He was
mopping his forehead vigorously with
u handkerchief, and she noticed that
| his hands were bronzed by exposure to
the sun.
That the man was burglar Rosa
mond had not doubt. Her heart al
most stopped beating when he glanced
| care,essly toward her vine covered re-
treat before he sat down on the top
step to light pipe.
"He's wondering how to get in,"
murmured Rosamond to herself. "If
only | were brave enough I would go
out and frighten him away, but am
fearfully afraid of burglars, and yet II
he should break in and steal some Of
Mrs. Phillips pictures ! would feel
dreadful. because | have enjoyed her
hospitality unasked." She smiled
thoughtfuly and then sat very quietly.
| Presently she dropped book on the
door and rustlcd out Of her retreat
with naughty expression on her
sweet face. The stranger jumped to
his feet and pulled off his gray cap.
81 beg your pardon" he stammered.
81 didn't know any one was around"
Rosamond fixed him with cold
stare whi+e she mentally decided that
he was too good looking to be engaged
in such nefarious pastime as burglar
izing unoccupied country houses.
She lifted her pretty brows inquir-
ingly. You wished to see some one"
"Why-er-no. didn't expect to see
any one here. | thought the place was
vacant," he stammered, knocking his
pipe against the railing and stuffing 1t
| into his pocket.
ut Is not vacant. ! am here" said
Rosamond bravely.
so I-er-see," with an air of cha
grin,
"The house is well protected"
Il ain glad of that lie said heartily.
losamond imagined his tone was
sarcastic. perhaps you wished to see
my husband" she said in n wavering
| voice.
| The man started violently, and his
eyes forsook her face and dropped to
the ground. "Of course it would be 3
pleasure" lie said is he uround?"
RosamOnd edged closer to the steps
und ran lightly down to the path be-
low. Il will call him. He Is not fur
away" she cried brcatblessly. Then
she turned and sped swiftly toward
the wall that divided the place from
her home. Once there. her father
i would telephone to the village for as.
sistance, aud thus the burglary would
be prevented.
She thought she heard swift steps
| behind her, aud she renewed her speed
toward the wall. Her heart was beat
Ing almost to suffOcation as she STEP
ped on Il loose stone, She uttered u
terrified cry rs the stone slipped and
she fell 10 the ground.
Now she heard swift steps In reali-
ty as the stranger crossed the turf and
bent anXiousy above her.
Il hope you have not hurt yourself" ("
he said gravely.
Il have spralned my ankle" admit
ted the girl with white lips.
What We're you trying to do-not to
scale the wali?'
"Ycs."
"Why? Was your. husband over
thereT
A red flush crept TO her brows.
| "Yasn - she said