Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1909-09-28
ATTHEOCTACONHOUSE
1t Wasn't a Burglar That the
Pretty Intruder Encountered.
BY cLARlssA MAckIE.


next door The owners were abroad.
and there was no prospect of their i'm.
mediate return to inhabit the Octagon
House, as u was called.
RosamOnd had made many excur.
sions abOu, the neglected grounds ana
ireamed 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-
sons and now she fed the gray SPUR
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
b lips came home again, for Mrs. Phil
" lips was old and irascible and much
feared by Rosamond since she was
little child
But on this glorious September day.
when the late monthly roses were Dor
dering the path with delicate sweet
ness, ROsamond, 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 a
stepping stone. In 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 COW
cred with Virginia creeper, even now
turning to brilliant scarlet and gold.
in one corner where the vines hung
low and formed a curtain were long
wicker chair and pile of Rosamond's
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
were gray and dusty and that white
dust powdered his dark hair. He was
mopping his forehead vigorously with
handkerchief. and she noticed that
his hands were bronzed by exposure to
the sun.
That the man was a burglar Rosa
mond had not a doubt. Her heart al
most stopped beating when he glanced
carelessly toward her vine covered re-
treat before he sat down on the top
step to light a pipe.
Hes wondering how to get in"
murmured ROsamond to herself IF
only l were brave enough l would go
out and frighten him away, but | am
Eearfully afraid of burglars. and yet If
ne SHOULD break in and steal some of
Mrs Phillips pictures / would feel
dreadful. because l have enjoyed her
hospitality unasked." She smiled
thoughtfuIly and then sat very quietly
Presently she dropped a book on the
door and rustled out of her retreat
with a naughty expression on her
sweet face. The stranger jumped to
his feet and pulled off his gray cap.
Il beg your pardon" he stammered.
81 didn't know any one was around"
ROsamond fixed him with a cold
stare while she mentally decided that
he was too good looking to be engaged
in such nefarious pastime as burglar
fzing unoccupied country houses.
She lifted her pretty brows inquir-
ingly. you wished to see some one"
"Why-er-no. l didn't expect to see
any one here. thought the place was
vacant" he stammered, knocking his
pipe against the railing and stuffing it
into his pocket.
ut is not vacant l am here" said
Rosamond bravely.
$50 I-er-see," with an air of cha
grin.
THE house is we'll protected"
Il am glad of that" he said heartily.
RosamOnd imagined his tone was
sarcastic Perhaps you wished to see
my husband" she said in a wayering
voice.
The man started violently, and his
eyes forsoOl her face and dropped to
the ground. "Of course it would be a
pleasure" he said. "Is he around?"
Rosamond edged closer to the steps
and ran lightly down to the path be-
low. 81 will call him. He is not far
away" she cried breathlessIy. Then
sne lurneu anu Speu o"iAiJ 'N""A
the wall that divided the place from
her home. Once there, her father
would telephone to the village for as
sistance, and thus the burglary would
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 suffOcatiOn as she step
ped on loose stone. She uttered a
terrified cry as the stone slipped and
she fell to the ground.
Now she heard swift steps in reali-
ty as the stranger crossed the turf and
bent anxiously above her.
II hone you have not hurt yourself"