The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-24
THE EVENING Story
AT the Octagon House.
(By Clarissa Mackie

Rosamond 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 immediate return to ilhabit the
Octagon house, as it was called.
hosamond had mado many excur-
slons about the neglected grounds and
dreamed many dreams beu-arh the
noble trees that rose from tbs. unkept
turf. She had taken toll of the bloom
ing flowers and shrubs in their sea-
sons; and now she fed the gray
squirrels that raced up and down the
green branches.
Her family laughed at her fondness
Tor the Octagon house and predicted
q speedy abandonment when Mrs.
Pnii!ips came home again-for Mrs.
Fhli!lpS 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
sweetness. Rosamond, a fair. sweet
rose herself, thought little of Mrs
Philips in distant Berlin. The day
was made for her-for her alone
and the Octagon housed
She followed the stone wall to an
intersecting fence which served as a
stepp1ngstone. In q 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 curtain was a long
wicker chair and a pie of Rosamond's
favorite books.
She had tired of reading and was
SUING naIf drowsy with sleep when
step on the piazza reused her. New
err before had any one trespassed on
her chosen retreat.
She parted the vines and peeped
through to discover mans tall form
pent 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 powered his dark
vigorously with a handkerchief and
she noticed that his hands were
bronzed by exposure to the SUM-
That the man was 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 a pipe.
Hes wondering how to get in"
murmured Rosamond to herself "If
only were brave enough I would go
out and frighten him away-but I am
fearfully afraid of burglars-and vet.
II he should break in and steal some
Of Mrs. Phillipss pictures, I would
feel observation-disclosures have enjoy
ed her ospitality-unaskedi She
smiled thoughtfully and then sat very
quietly.
Presently she dropped a book on the
floor and rustled out of her retreat
with naughty expression on her
sweet face. The stranger jumped to
MS feet and pulled off his gray cap.
beg your pardon he stammered
Il didn't know any one was around"
Rosamond fixed him with a cold
stare while she mentally decided that
ne was too good looking to be engaged
IN such a nefarious pastime as bur-
glarizing unoccupied county houses.
She lifted her pretty brows inouir-
ingly. "You wished to see some one %
Why-er-no-I didn't expect to
see anyone here-I thought the. place
was vacant" he stammered, knocking
his pipe against the Railing and stuff.
fling it into his pocket.
1T is not vacant am here said
Rosamond bravely.
$50 I-er-see.'' with an air of
cllagrin.
THE house is well protected"
II am glad of that he said
Rosamond imagined his tone was
sarcastic. Perhaps you wished to
see my husband,' she said in
wavering voice:
The man started violently and his
the ground. "Of course it would be
a pleasure" he admitted. as 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
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
assistance and thus the burglary
would be prevented.
She thought she heard swift steps
speed toward the wall. Her heart
was beating almost to suffocation as
she stepped on a loose stone. She ut
tered a terrified cry as the stone
slipped and she fell to the ground.
Now she heard swift steps, in
reality, as the stranger crossed the
turf and bent anxiously above her.
81 hope you have not hurt your
self" he said gravely.
"I have sprained my ankle" adj
mitted the girl with white lips
What were you trying to do-not
to scale the wall?'
Eyes"
"Why-was your husband over
there %
A red flush crept to her brows
Eyes," she said.
''Shan I call him ?'' asked the sus-
pected burglar frankly "Or shall 1
you some cold water? Where are the
servants? Have you occupied the
house long? My aunt wrote me that
the place was vacant" He ham,
mered out the questions with re-
morseless haste.
Rosamond stared with growing
horror. nWho are you? Who is your
aunt?" she gasped in return.
81 am Mrs. Phillips's nephew-my
names David Phillips. have
bought the place and 1 came down to
look it over. I was to have met the
real estate man at the station-he
came but he forgot the keys, so I