Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-06-18
quickly and tossed the burned match

quickly and tossed the burned match
into brass tray on the table.
For an instant they stared at each
otner, Penelope at the slowly rising
figure of the man, his fine gray eyes
wide open N surprise, one hand hold
ing the cigarette. In turn he stared
at tho slight little figure, enveloped
in fur coat, cap and goggles, with a
pair of ridiculous red Turkish slip
pers on her icet and wisps Of golden
hair struggling from under the cap
The man opened his mouth to
speak, but Penelope's indignation got
the better of her fright. She swung
the club menacingly.
Whatever you say will be used
against you!" she cried excitedly, and
then conscious that she had said
something quite absurd, a delicious
wave Of pink spread over her cheeks.
HIS involuntary smile restored her
self-possession.
"What are you doing here?" she
demanded coldly.
"I was about to ask you that ques-
ton" He leaned carelessly against
the desk, watching her with curious
eyes. "You area female burglar
I presume, MADAME"
ia burglar!" gasped Penelope.
"The insolence! Leave this apart
ment at once" She stamped l-sr foot
with such energy that one little red
slipper sailed airily toward the IN
truder. With quick gesture he bent
and caught it in one hand.
"This will serve as clew,' ne said
regarding it thoughtfully.
"A clew--to what?" Penelope curl
ed one foot under the fur coat; her
cheeks were crimson now with min
gled anger and embarrassment, and
recklessly she tore off the obscuring
goggles.
"To-your Identity" said the man
somewhat lamely. He was staring at
Penelope with thoughtfully knitted
brows. "Where have seen you be-
fore?" he burst forth suddenly.
"In the rogues' gallery, / suppose, >
retorted Penelope. Nov, my good
man, I do not care to listen to your
nonsense any longer; if you do not
leave this place Immediately, ! shall
u Smithsonian for assistance"
The man looked thoughtfully at the
red slipper and then at Penelope gaz,
ing sternly at him. II really thought
you were a lady Raffles," he said
with note of doubt in mis- voice.
IF you have any right here. shall
be glad to hear your explanation.
Mrs. Brady gave me to understand
the apartment was quite vacant"
"Mrs. Bradly!" gasped Penelope.
do you mean to say that Mrs. LIE.
ander Brady told you our apartment
would be vacant?"
MRS. Brady said her apartment
would be vacant, he corrected mild
ly: 81 happen to be Mrs. Brady
brother, and she sent me here to Sc
cure small package from her writ
ing desk, but"
Penelope's brown eyes were dane.
ing now and her uplifted hand halted
the words on his lips.
"This isn't Mrs. Bradly's apart
ment," she said sweetly. It's on the
floor below-underneath this one!"
He stared incredulously at her.
"Why-I couldn't have made such
mistake" he said helplessly.
Have you ever been to Mrs. Brad
ly's apartment? asked Penelope
"No-she described 1t to me and
gave me the key, and as the elevator
was not running walked up. We're
all staying down at Breezehurst, ano
we motored up for the theater-the
rest OF the crowd are down at the
door in the car! BY Jove-how could
I make such a mistake" He glanced
apprehensively at Penelope and then
at the writing desk, Uttered with let
tiers and packages from the pigeon
holes.
you're awfully untidy," complained
Penelope, as she crossed to the desk
and tucked the letters back IN their
places. One envelope she held toward
him: he read the address and gave II
back. It was now his turn to REDEEM
~ don't know what to say, MISS
Farnum," he murmured contritely
"You must think me silly to break
into your rooms here and ransack
your desk ard then accuse you OF be-
ing a burglar! IL really didn't know
what a fool could make OF myself
till this night"
"Yon should feel encouraged" said
Penelope wickedly. you're really do
ing very well, indeed"
An automobile horn brayed impa'
tiently in the street below.
Il must go-they are waiting FOR
me. Miss Farnum. I'd like to bring
my sister upstairs to assure you that
It is all a mistake, you know"
"But do believe you. Mr.-
Penelope floundered helplessly.
"Drayton-Jock Drayton," he said
"I suppose 20 know my sister Peggy
we'll b.
Eyes, indeed, Peggy and are
great friends-in fact I was going
down to Breezehurst for the week
end"
WASP" he repeated anxiously.
I am going" corrected Penelope
Gemurely :,
Then can make my apologies all
over-it's awfully funny, but | know
I've seen you before, Miss Farnum.'
Peggy has my picture-we were
roommates at college,"
The little violin girl" he said
dreamily; and then his face colored
and he laughed boyishly. l always
liked that picture-but didn't recog'