The daily Alaskan., 1909-11-08
.ATTHE0CTAG0NH0USE
1t Wasn't a Burglar That the Pretty Intruder Encountered,
ey cLARlseA MAcKE.
ICopyrlght, 1898, by Associated Literary
 Press.l

! the rose DOENeEeU pdlN lV tue LAll bkOug wall that lnclosed the deserted house next door. The owners were abroad, and there was no prospect Of their im. mediate return to inhabit the Octagon ] House, as it was called.
 Rosamond had made many excur- slons about the neglected grounds and ] dreamed many dreams beneath the mo- ble trees that rose from tho unkept turf. She had taken toll of tho bloom Ing flowers and shrubs ln their sea- sons, and now she fed the gray squir- rels that raced up and down the green ! branches.
 Her family laughed at her fOndnegs for the Octagon House and predicted ! speedy abandonment when Mrs. Phil ! lips came home again, for Mrs. Phll- | lips was old and lrascible and much feared by Rosamond since she was a ! 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-Ond the Octagon House!
 She followed the stone wall to an In. tersecting fence which served as a stepping stone. In @ trlce sh0 had jumped lightly to the soft turf of the other side and sped swiftly across the dappled green toward tho house. The crooked piazza, which followed the outline of the old house, was GOV cred with Virginia creeper even nov turning to brilliant scarlet and gold, In one corner where the vines hung low and formed a curtain were long wicker chair and a pile Of RosamOnd's Govorite books
 She had tired of reading and was sitting half drowsy with sleep when 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 bis clothes were gray and dusty and that white dust powdered bis dark hair. He wO5 mopplng his forehead vigorously with a handkerchief, and she noticed that hls hands were bronzed by exposure to the sun.
 That the man was a burglar Rosa mond had not a doubt. Her heart Rl- most stopped beating when he glanced carclessly toward her vine covered TO- treat before he sat down on the top step to light a pipe.
 He's wondering how to get in," murmured Rosamond to herself. 'If only l were brave enough would so out and frighten him away, but I am fearfully afraid of burglars, and yet if he should break in and steal some Of Mrs. Phillips pictures would feel dreadful, because I have enjoyed her hospitality unasked" She smiled thoughtfully and then sat very quietly. Presently she dropped a book on tho floor and rustlcd out of her retreat with a naughty expression on her sweet face. The stranger jumped to hls feet and pulled off his gray cap.
 'I beg your pardon" he gtammered. "I 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 a nefarlous pastlme as burglar izing unoccupled country houses.
 She lifted her pretty brows inQuir- ingIy. You wished to see some one|
 "Why-er-no. I didn't expect to sec any one here. thought the place vas vacant" he stammered, knocking his pipe against the railing and studing it Into his pocket,
 Tt is not vacant. I am here," said Rosamond bravely.
 "So I-er-see," with an air of cha. grin.
 "The house is well protected"
 "I am glad of that" he said heartily.
 Rosamond imagined ht5 tone was sarcastic. Perhaps you wished to see my husband" she said in a Wavering voice
 The man started violently, and bis eyes forsook her face and dropped to the ground. "Of course 1t would be a pleasure" he said. "Is he aroundT
 Rosamond edged closer to tho steps and ran lightly down to tho path be- low. q will call hlm. Be 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- slstunce, 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 8ho step- ped on a loose stone. She uttered Q terrified cry as the stone slipped and she fell to the ground.
 Now she heard swift steps in reRli- ty as the stranger crossed the turf and bent anxiOusly above her.