The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-16
THE EVENING STORY
Penelope and a Burglar.
(By Clarissa Mackie.)

Penelope sat I'D in bed with a wildly
| futtering heart. For the first time in
deadly fear. Some one was stepping
to and fro in the adjoining room and
| under the crack of the door there
was a line of light.
With awful distinctness came the
| recollection that Bridget was spend
| ing the night in Jersey City with a,
| sick relative. Her father could not
have returned from Chicago, for she
had talked with him over the tele-
phone at o'clock. She was all alone
in the apartment and quite defense
less against the intruder in the next
room.
At almost any instant he might
| open the door; it was unlocked. She
slipped noiselessly TO the floor and
peered through the keyhole into the
| lighted sitting room.
In line with the keyhole was her
writing desk and before the desk sat
man trying first one and then an
other key in the lock. Penelope saw
a broad back, a line of white collar
and bronzed neck and close cropped
black hair, and made a quick deduc-
ton of character.
"a desperate ruffian-just out of
prison-probably has several murders
to his credit She breathed sharply
as the mans key grated in the lock
and the desk lid swung down into
my daryl gasped Penelope in
dignantly. mo, he hasn't touched it
he's probably looking for money.
Oh, dear! What shall I do?"
She arose and looked from the win
dow in the vain hope that she might
attract some policeman or owlish
| householder; but the uptown cross
street was quiet as befitted its ele-
CANT neighborhood. The electric light
| on the corner sputtered and sank into
momentary gloom.
Penelope shuddered as she heard
| a movement in the next room. The
| burglar was opening the drawers of
the desk leisurely.
There were two modes of egress
from the room: one into the narrow
corridor and the other leading to the
| sitting room where the burglar sat.
A daring thought came to Penelope
Farnum and she put it into immedi-
ate action.
1t was plain that she could not call
| for help or leave the apartment with
| out detection; the telephone was in the
the sitting room and the door that
| led from her bed chamber into the
corridor squeaked dismally.
With resolution born OF the emer-
gency, Penelope thrust her feet into
| slippers, shrugged herself into her
| big fur motor coat, buttoning it close
! ly over her hanging golden braids.
Over her head she pulled a cloth trav-
cling cap, and this, with the addition
of the huge motor goggles, completed
| a disguise that was intended to to in
| timidate the marauder.
The only available weapon was one
of her Indian clubs. and, grasping
| this firmly in her right hand, Pencil
ope softly opened the door into the
sitting room.
The burglar was engaged in touch
ing a lighted match to a cigarette,
and Penelope started at the stern,
handsome profile outlined against the
dark background of the desk. Her
quickly and tossed the burned match
into a brass tray on the table.
For an instant they stared at each
other, Penelope at the slowly rising
figure of the man, his fine gray eyes
wide open in surprise, one hand hold
ing the cigarette. In turn, he stared
at the slight little figure. enveloped
in fur coat, cap and goggles, with
pair of ridiculous red Turkish slippers
on her feet and wisps of golden hair
struggling from under her cap.
The man opened his mouth to
speak, but Penelope's indignation had
got the better of her fright. She
swung the club menacingly:
Whatever you say will be used
against YOU" she cried excitedIy, and
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.
81 was about to ask you that ques-
ton" He leaned carelessly against
the desk, watching her with curious
eyes. 'You area female burglar
presume, madam"
"The insolencei Leave this apart
ment at once" She stamped her foot
with such energy that one little red
slipper sailed airily toward the intrud-
err. With quick gesture he bent and
caught it on one hand.
This will serve as clew,' he said,
regarding it thoughtfully.
"A clew-to what?" Penelope curl
ed one rosy foot under the fur coat;
her cheeks were crimson now with
mingled anger and embarrassment,
and, recklessly, she tore off the OBJ
"Tosyour identity" said the man
somewhat lamely. He YVES staring at
brows "Where have I seen you be-.
fore?'' he burst forth suddenly.
I'm the rogres' gallery, 1 suppose"
retorted Penelope. Now. my good
man, I do not care to listen to your
nonsense any longer; If you do not
leave this place immediately, 1 shall
1 shaIl-scream for assistance"
The man looked thoughtfully at the
red slipper and then at Penelope gaz-
/ ing sternly at him. Il really thought
YOU were a lady Raffles," he said
with a note of doubt in his 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"
ssMrs. Bradly!" gasped Penelope.
| ssDo YOU mean to say that Mrs. Lee
ander Bradley told you our apartment
would be vacant?"
Mrs Brady said her apartment
would be vacant" he corrected mild
lly: ct happen to be Mrs. Bradley's