Oxford Democrat., 1909-10-05
ATTHEOCTAGONHOUSE
It Wasn't a Burglar That the
Pretty Intruder Encountered.
BY cLARIssA MAckIE.

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 Octagor
House, as it was called.
ROsamond had made many excur
sions about the neglected grounds ant
dreamed many dreams beneath the no
BILE trees that rose from the unkepI
turf. She had taken toll Of the bloom
ing flowers and shrubs in their sea
sons, and now she fed the gray squir
rels that raced up and down the greer
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 irascible and much
feared by RosamOnd since she was q
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 fol
her-for her alone-and the Octagor
House!
She followed the stone wall to an in
tersecting fence which served as q
stepping stone. 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 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 a long
wicker chair and pile of Rosamond's
fayOrite 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 hel
chosen retreat.
She parted the vines and peeped
through to discover q mans tail 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.
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 pipe.
Hes wondering how to get in, '
murmured ROsamOnd to herself. III
only were brave enough | would &c
out and fri.hten him away. but am
fearfully afraid of burglars. and yet If
he should break I'm and steal some of
Mrs. Phillips pictures would fee
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 off his gray cap.
II 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 4 nefarious pastime as burglar
izing unoccupied country houses.
She lifted her pretty brows inquir
ingly. You wished to see some One?"
"Why-er-no. | didn't expect to see
any one here. | thought the place was
vacant" he stammered, knocking his
pipe against the railing and stufiing II
into his pocket.
'It 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 Il wavering
voice.
The man started violently. and his
eyes forsook her face and dropped to
the ground. "Of course it would be a
pleasure" he said. us 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 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 suff0catiOn as she STEP
ped on a loose stone. She uttered a
terrified cry rs 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.
81 hope you have not hurt yourself" +"
he said gravely.
81 have sprained my ankle" admit
ted the girl with white lips.
What were you trying to dO-nOt to
scale the wall?'
"Yes."
"Why? Was your husband over
there?"
A red flush crept to her brows.
"Yes." she said.
"Shan / call him." asked the sus.
pected burglar frankly. "or shall
carry you back to the piazza and get
YOU some cold water? Where are the
servants? Have you occupied the
house long? My aunt wrote me that
the place was vacant" He hammered
out the questions with remorseless
haste.
Rosamond stared with growing hor-
ror. "Who are you? Who Is your
aunt!" she sasped in return.
81 am Mrs. Phillips nephew My
names David Phillips. l have bought
the place, and came down to look it
over. was to have met the real es-
tate man at the station. He came, but
he forgot the keys, so / walked on.
AS he said nothing about the place be-
ing occupied. l was surprised to find a
tenant"