Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-12-15

IF you wouldn't mind sitting down
so Il cam rest my elbow. on the desk.
II tires my arm holding this thing GU,
So Thank YOU" she said as Jack obe,
diently sank into chair.
''if you're going to call the police 7
hope You won't mbad doing so ar once.
because II can clear myself in time /
want to catch the $50 western ex,
press"
II have called them" hesitated the
girl.
How"
AS soon as You came i'm L 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 visibly.
lis there a telephone in this roomy"
asked Jack presently.
Yes" replied the girl.
you wouldn't lot me call up cen.
trail and discover where my cousins.
the Mertons. are? II I'm In the wrong
house. WHY,
rs there any doubt about thatf" Her
face was slightly contemptuous.
"A good deal OF doubt" asserted
Jack boldly. This room is as fami
lar to me as my own home. I've spent
weeks here. I 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 a picture OF me somewhere
about the premises"
Il 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 it furnished
Tor the summer season. and I only ar.
rived this morning. and l did not hear
the name OF the owner IL Il has been
mentioned. And so IL is possible that
this Is Mr.. Merton's house. I daresay
you are quite familiar with good
many houses
Let up on THAR growled Jack. quite
out or temper. mo use hitting a Eel.
low when he's down. you know"
Il beg your pardon" said the girl.
her face coloring ndorably, but YOU
must think me very mean I've really
been talking at random. | thought |
heard a sound Her head was hcnt
In listening attitude.
"Bnrglarsw suggested Jack. with a
grim smile. "Or. what might be worse
for me, police-ugh!'
y strained look came into the girls
race as footsteps advanced swiftly
down the hall toward the door. She
arose and leaned toward her captive.
I'm sorry. / hope you'll come out
all right. ! wish il had not been
who had to-
THANKS" said Jack dryly. "Ill
probably come out after I've served
time! AS i'm the case OF the girl in the
musical comedy song. YOU know. 4
must be captured by somebody, and IL
may as well be you Well. here goes
There was the sound of voices out.
side the door--femnine voices-and
then the door opened and skirts rustlcd
silkily forward.
jean, you poor child, were YOU
frightened 10 death staying all alone
mere Mercy. what's this? oh. put
down that pistol"
ihree young women. pretty as pic.
lures, handsomely gowned. 6uttered
toward the loyellest girl of all MS she
dropped the revolver TO the desk She
arose and pointed Il slim foreGnrer
toward Jack Merton.
THAT is Pussy Harry, wanted by
the police. I have captured him
She tainted away then. and IL was
Jacks privilege TO gather her up ana
lay her on the leather couch before
confronting the bevy of hysterical girls
VINO had fed to n distant corner.
I'm Jack Merton" began that pen.
tieman with what dignity he could as
sumo, "and I've been trying TO nor.
suade this young lady that
"Of course It's Jack" cried the tall
est girl, tossing back her veil. "Tfs
Peters cousin. Tell me what has han
pened"
Jack found his hands prasped nv
the welcoming hands of his cousin
Peters bride, and he found no diff
Guilty in convincing his listeners of his
Identity. The girl on the couch was
Erecovering and sat up. listening TO the
conversation with flaming cheeks and
sparkling eyes
We went to the matinee and left
Jean alone. All the servants were out
She's been reading that lurid newspa.
per and well really. Mr. Merton. IL
does look like YOU" explained Mrs.
tancher when Mrs Peter had made
the proper introductiOns. u don't
wonder Jean was frightened But
what pluck she had, Just fancy hold.
ing that revolver. and IL is loaded.
girls. No; there Is no burglar alarm.
what Oh. Jean, or course she
didn't know the name Of Merton We
Just met Mrs. Peter downtown and
II faaa -