Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1909-09-11
A7THEOCTACONHOUSE
It Wasn't a Burglar That the Pretty Intruder Encountered.
By CLARISSA MACklE.

Copyright, 1909 by Associated Literary
 Press.
 Kosalnond 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 im- mediate return to inbabit the Octagon House. as it was called
 l.oSamond had made many excur. sions about the neglected grounds and dreamed many dreams beneath the mo- ble trees that rose from the unkept turf. She had taken toll of the bloom ing flowers and shrubs in their sea sons, and now she fed the gray sauir- rels that raced up and down the green branches
 Her family laughed at her fOndness for the Octagon House and predicted speedy abandonment when Mrs. Phil lips cams home again. for Mrs. Phil lips was old and irascible and much feared by Rosamond since she was . 1 little child.
 But on this glorious September day, | when the late monthly roses were Dor dering the path with delicate sweet ness Rosamond, a fair. sweet rose her self 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- tersecting fence which served as stepping stone. In a trice she had jumped lightly to the soft turf of the other side and sped swiftly across the dappled green toward the house.
 The crooked piazza, which followed the outline of the old house, was GOV 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 a pile of Rosamond's | favorite books.
 She had tired of reading and was sitting half drowsy with sleep when q step on the piazza reused her. Never beforehand 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 were gray and dusty and that white dust powdered his dark hair. He was mopping his forehead vigorously with a handkerchief. and she noticed that
 his hands were bronZed by exposure to
 the sun.
 s That the man was a burglar Rosa
 mond had not doubt. Her heart al most stopped beating when he glanced }, carelessly toward her vine covered re r treat before he sat down on the top
 step to light pipe.
 F He's wondering how to. get in, ; k murmured Rosamond to herself "l1
 only were brave enough l would gG II out and frighten him away. but I an n fearfully afraid of burglars. and yet il
 he should break in and steal some o, Mrs Phillips pictures l would fee n dreadful, because l have enjoyed hel n hospitality unasked" She smiled
 thouehtfully and then sat very quietly e Presently she dropped book on the $ floor and rustlcd out of her retreat ,e with a naughty expression on her '' sweet face The stranger jumped tt
  II "I beg your pardon, he stammered
 "I didn't know any one was around = Kosamond fixed him with a coid
 stare while she mentally decided tha,
 he was too good looking to be engaged
 in such d nefarious pastimc as burglar l. iZi9sg unoceulicd country houses. | She lifted her pretty brows iNQNir 7, in@ly. You wished to see scme one:' D "Why-er-uo. didn't expect to see Q any one here. thought the place was 2. vacant" he stammered. knocking his } pipe against the railing and etutfng i! . into his pocket
 Tt is not vacant. am here" said
 Rosamond bravcly.
 .So I-er-sce" with an air of cha.
 grin,
 3 The house is well protested. Il am glad of that" he said heartily.
 KoSamond imagined his tone was
 sarcastic. Perhaps you wished to see my husband" she said in a wavering
 voice.
 The man started violently, and his r eyes forsook her face and dropped to r the ground. "Of course it would be a s pleasure he said, ''Is he around?' , kosamond edged closer to the steps . and ran lightly down to the path be- low. "l will call him. He is not far aWay,' she cried breathlessly. Then $ she turned and sped swiftly toward ,, the wall that divided the place from e hey home. Once there, her father " would telephone to the village for as | '' be prevented
 She thought she heard swift steps
 behind her and she renewed her speed
 toward the wall. Her heart was beat
 ing almost to Sutfocation as she step-