Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-11-05
The Right
House
A Man Who Was Taken
For a Burglar
By ANNA B. CLARK
Copyright. 1910 by American Press
ANkucia tiou
BY ANNA B. CLARK
Copyright. 1910 by American Press
Association.

Jack Merton arrived in Chicago at
3 o'clock on rainy afternoon. His
train for the west left at .. and he
was prompted TO spend the interven-
ing hours with his cousin Taking
cab. he was driven to the house.
NO. 232. There she is. thu next one
to this. l might have recognized the
bronze fowerpots on the balcony any
way. Now for surprise" He ran
lightly up the steps Of No. 300. pulled
out latchkcy he bad long carried and
inserted 1t In the lock.
The key lifted easily. and the door
swung open. revealing long expanse
OF cool dark hall In summer attire Of
linen coverings There was not soul
IN sight The doors that he remem-
bered led TO drawing rooms. library
and sitting room were tightly closed.
At this hour Uncle Fred and Peter
would probably have returned from
the office and. as was their daily Gus
tom, would be griling over the even
ing papers in the library In the glare
OF strong electric lights instead OF
spinning along the lake front watch
ing the sunset after the strenuous day
downtown The Mertons were money
grubbers anyway. with but little eye
for beauty. Nevertheless money grub
bling had not affected the warmth OF
their big hearts. and this was unusual.
Jack strobe down the hail. softly
turned the knob of the library door
and entered-to find himself In the
mellow. subdued light Of a solitary
lamp on the writing desk. out OF the
surrounding shadows darker shape
fitted and then came forward. reveal.
ing the straight, slim figure OF girl In
a soft black gown. with string OF
pearls around her white throat and
dusky masses Of hair framing the
loveliest face Jack had ever seen-a
face lighted by glorious hazel eyes and
tinted with exquisite color.
The hazel eyes met Jacks fearlessly.
and he was conscious OF quick move
ment OF her right hand; then he found
himself looking into the menacing bar
rel OF small revolver
What do you want here:' asked the
girl quietly.
Forgetful OF his clandestine entrance.
Mr. Merton drew himself up proudly.
Rather an original method OF well
coming n guest" he said lightly.
Rather an original method of pay
ing a call" retorted the girl. You see,
heard you enter the house."
How did you know II was not Mr..
Merton-or his SON." asked Jack. with
amusement
"Merton;" The girl lifted her fine
black brows questionlngly You have
made a mistake there are no Mertons
here"
Jack stared "Then am in the
wrong house. Isn't this No. 1922" he
asked bluntly.
Eyes"
"My uncle has lived here for twen-
ty-fve years Surely there can be no
mistake. You see. ! just came in from
the east, and while waiting for west
ern connections ran up here TO sur
prise them. Here is the latchkey ]
have carried for ten years past. 1t fit-
ted the door. and so came In. expect
ing TO find my relatives here" He
stopped abruptly at the slightly scorn-
ful expression on the girls face. per
haps you don't believe me-" he asked
scornfully
For answer the girl pushed news
paper across the table and pointed at
the large half tone portrait OF a man
occupying the center Of the front
page. II was evident that she had
been reading the paper when he en-
tered and had slipped into tho shadow
Of tall screen at the sound OF his
approaching steps down the hall,
Jack picked up the paper and car
ried II nearer the light. the girl still
covering him with the little revolver.
The young man uttered a slight excla-
nation and studied the picture and
the surrounding text with amazed
eyes and parted lips.
There before him was what might
have been n portrait OF himself. fair.
keen face. handsome nose and fine
eyes, with the careless toss OF hair
above. The black type underneath
proclaimed this the picture OF Pussy
Harry the slickest gentleman bur
glar out OF Jail. and II was the pur-
pose OF the article to warn the pub
lie against his early arrival In Chicago
and to endeavor 10 place the gen
tleman burglar behind the bars as
speedily as might be accomplished.
you've been reading thisT' asked
Jack. rather breathlessly.
The girl nodded
II don't wonder you thought
might be-let me see-Fussy Harryl
I'll confess that we look enough alike
10 be brothers-twins. In fact-but I'm
not vain, you know. only have got
that ratty look In my eyes?'
"Td rather not say" returned the
girl shortly. you must understand
that I'm not going TO LET you get
away. The paper says you have com.
mitted murder-you are wanted for
numerous burglaries and