Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-11-05


Merton recklessly.
lie leaned against the wall, with
folded arms. ana surveyed the carpet
gloomily
III you wouldn't mind sitting down
so can rest my elbow on the desk.
II tires my arm holding this thing out
so. Thank YOU" she said us Jack ODE
diently sank Into chair.
III you're going TO call the police /
hope you won't mind doing so at once,
because IL can clear myself In time I
want TO catch the $50 western ex-
press"
81 have called Them hesitated the
girl.
How
"As soon as you came in found
the buzzer on the burglar alarm that
connects with the police station and
signaled. They should be here very
soon" She was quite white now. and
the hand that held the revolver trem-
bled vlsibly.
rs there n telephone in this room"
asked Jack presently.
Yes" replied the girl.
"You wouldn't let me call up CEN
trail and discover where my cousins.
tho Mertons, are? II I'm in the wrong
house. Why
'Is there any doubt about that?" Her
face was slightly contemptuous.
"A good deal OF doubt" asserted
Jack boldly. This room Is as famil-
lar TO me as my own home. I've spent
weeks here. know every chair and
table. for the Mcrtons are not given
TO changing their furniture. II you
would take the trouble to look you
might find n picture OF me somewhere
about the premises
81 think not, except here" She laid
her hand on the paper. with provok-
Ing smile.
do you mean TO tell me that this Is
not Mr.. Fred Merton's house" de-
manded Jack
REALLY. II it's any advantage for
you to know. wish ! could tell you
the name OF the owner; only. you see,
my friends have rented II furnished
for the summer season. and l only ar
rived this morning. and did not hear
the name OF the owner II II has been
mentioned. And so II Is possible that
this is Mr.. Merton's house. / daresay
you are quite familiar with n good
many houses
Let up on that" growled Jack, quite
out OF temper. mo use hitting fell
low when he's down. you know"
81 beg your pardon" said the girl.
her face colorlng adorably, but you
must think ME very mean. I've really
been talking at random. thought /
heard sound Her head was bent
In a listening attitude.
"Burglars~ suggested Jack, with a
grim smile. "or. what might be worse
for me. police-ugh!"
A strained look came into the girls
face as footsteps advanced swiftly
down the hall toward the door. She
arose and leaned toward her captive.
Pm sorry. hope you'll come out
all right wish 1t had not been !
who had to-
Thanks" said Jack dryly. "I'll
probably come out after I've served
timel AS In the case OF the girl In the
musical comedy song. you know, I
must be captured by somebody, and 1t
may as well be YOU Well. here goes"
side the door-feminine voices-and
then the door opened and skirts rustled
silkily forward.
Jean. you poor child. were you
frightened to death staying all alone
here. Mercy. what's this, oh. put
down that pistol"
Three young women. pretty as pic
lures, handsomely gowned. futtered
toward the loveliest girl Of all as she
dropped the revolver 10 the desk. She
arose and pointed slim forefnger
toward Jack Merton.
THAT is Pussy Harry. wanted by
the police. have captured him.
She tainted away then. and II was
Jacks privilege to gather her up and
lay her on the leather couch before
confronting the bevy OF hysterical girls,
who had fed to distant corner.
III Juth AeItuu, DeRuu tudL gem
tlcman with what dignity he could as
sumo, "and I've been trying 10 per-
suade this young lady that
"Of course It's Jack" cried the tall
est girl. tossing back her veil IT'S
Peters cousin. Tell me what has hap
pened."
Jack found his hands grasped by
the welcoming hands OF his cousin,
Peters bride. and he found no din
Guilty in convincing his listeners Of his
identity. The girl on the couch was
recovering and sat up. listening to the
conversation with flaming cheeks and
sparkling eyes.
eve went 10 the matinee and left
Jean alone All the servants were out.
She's been reading that lurld newspa-
per and-well. really. Mr. Merton. II
does look like you" explained Mrs.
Fancher when Mrs. Peter had made
the proper introductions. II don't
wonder Jean was frightened. But
NIB r.1stnly oh loI I,,g ArIA