The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1909-09-10

the rose Doruered 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 1t was called.
Rosamond had made many excur-
sions about the neglected grounds and
dreamed many dreams beneath tho 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
lips came home again, for Mrs. Phil
lips was old and iraseibIe and much
feared by Rosamond since she was
little child.
But on this glorious September day,
when the late monthly roses were bor-
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.
tersectlng fence which served as a
stepping stone. In trlce she had
jumped lightly to the soft turf OF the
other side and sped swiftly across the
dappled green toward the house.
Tho 1raplYad Ytia11o xyt,fnts F,fto~..~7
the outline of the old house, was coy
cred with Virginia creeper, oven now
turning TO brilliant scarlet and gold.
In one corner where the vines hung
low and formed a curtain were a 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 10 discover n mans tall form
bent to peer into the half drawn shades
OF the long windows. HI Strengthened
up again, aud she saw that his clothes
were gray and dusty and that white
dust powdered his dark hair. He was
hopping his forehead vigorously with
a handkerchief and she noticed that
his hands We're bronzed by exp sure to
the sun.
That the man was q burglar Rosa
mond had not 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 pipe.
Hes wondering how to get In"
murmured Rosamond to herself "If
only / were brave enough / would go
out and frighten him away, but I 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
thoughtfully and then sat very quietly.
Presently she dropped book on the
floor and rustlcd out OF her retreat
with naughty expression on her
sweet face The stranger jumped to
his feet and pulled or his gray cap.
Il beg your pardon" he stammered.
81 didn't know any one was around"
Rosamond fixed him with cold
stare while she mentally decided that
he was too good looking TO be engaged
In such q nefarlous pastime as burglar
izing unoceupied country houses.
She lifted her pretty brows inquir.
ingly. you wished to see some oner'
"Why-er-no. didn't expect to see
any one here. thought the place was
vacant" lie stammered, knocking his
pipe against the railing and stufiing It
into his pocket.
at is not vacant am here" said
Rosamond bravely.
$50 I--er-see," with an air OF cha.
grin
THE house is well protected"
Il ana glad Of that he said heartily.
Rosamond imagined his tone was
sarcastic. Perhaps you wished TO see
my husband" she said Ia a wavering
voice.
The man started violently, and his
eyes forsook her face and dropped to
the ground. "0f course 1t would be a
pleasure he said. lis he aroundT
Rosamond edged closer to the steps
and ran Lightly down to the path be-
low. Il 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
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 reall.
ty as the stranger crossed the turf and
bent anxiously above her.
81 hope you have not hurt yourself"
he said gravely.
Il have sprained my ankle" admit.
ted the girl with white lips.
"What were you trying to do-not to
scale the wallY'
Eyes
"Why? Was your husband over
thereT'
A red flush crept to her brows.
Eyes" she said.
"ShalI call him." asked the sus-
pected burglar frankly, "or shall I
carry you back to the piazza and get
you some cold watera Where are the
seryantsi Have you occupied the
house long? MY aunt wrote me that
the place was Yacant.n He hammered