Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1910-07-10

suspect who its owner was.
81 know you're inside there!" 1t shouted. "Open the
door at oncew
The girl had gone white. The mother eyes became
the eyes of fear Her hand went up to her lips quick
as the quickest thing that 1 could see her
shaking on her chair.
The knocking was followed by fusillade of kicks
"Open the door Open the doorw came the voice.
1t stark, furious implacable open the
door I'll break 1t in, by Godl It's no use know
you're there Edith Open the door!'
The last door mentioned qualified by adJectives
unsuitable for Sunday reading The mans voice was
shaking with passion He beat the door nsensatey.
The girl had her lower lip in and her teeth over it.
and she gripped the chair If 1t had been dentists
If l hadn't known who the man I'd have
known how to deal with him, of course. AS 1t was
l had to consider the girl. The man was obviously
furious and would not understand So I shouted-
stop that racket and so away. I'm busy; | won't
any to-day"
The only reply was an attempt to break down the
door, The man was butting at it with his shoulder
propelling his whole force at it. Between the
thumpings he gasped II know she's in here. It's no
use; followed her. will get in Let me in, damn
you or I'll kill youl"
never want to go through such experience
again. The girl, almost fanng, trying to shut
file her blouse The butting was furious and con-
tinued. The door indicated collapse l walked to it
softly and put my weight upon 1t. That door wanted
more than moral support
BY this time was becoming angry myself. Even
the illustrative worm can turn. "If you don't stop
that at once" shouted Il call up the police sta
ton." meant it, too; it seemed the only solution.
He continued his active siege l went to the tele-
phone book and found the number Pm going to
ring" shouted. "Tll kill you both If you do! said
he. rang the bell and shot cracked out The bull
let through the door and flattened against the
wall made dash for the girl and pulled her over
to the wall which enclosed the door. 1 went back to
the telephone and asked for the police station.
The Flight.
There came another shot, and another There
noises of feet upon the stairs and then the sound of
furious footsteps running from my door 1 heard
them dashng madly down the staircase, three four
at time. The tiance energetic gentle
whether in assault retreat. ran to the studio
window and opened it. Almost l opened 1t the
fellow forth like bullet He disappeared
around the corner like shot, which should be equally
fast
The girl quaking and fumbling at her hat. I
helped her with her coat Now, beat it," said.
There moments when slang satisfies long felt
want. Then opened the door and explained that
particularly demented friend of mine had been play
ing particularly crazy practical joke. The taors
assistants who had gathered there wondered
shudder to think of their opinion of the whole artis
tic tribe. l heard one fellow murmur "Bughouse,"
he walked slowly away. 1t did seem rather to
the situation.
After that l rang up the models club and went
to work again. In the evening, however, ! thought
about the matter. Artists think notwithstand-
ing a discouraging public impression. The whole
thing, though thoroughly ridiculous, yet possessed
serious aspects. The fance, becoming suspicious
of the girls regular absences, had followed her to my
studio. He had drawn his own unjustinabe conclu-
sons. The girl was thoroughly bameless. 1t seemed
obviously my part to explain things. l would call
the girl, get from her the hances address, and be-
come the diplomatic exposition
Next morning went down to Eighth street, where
she lived 1t of those old red brick houses,
quiet section of the street which bustling mod
ernty seemed to have passed silently by neat wou-
of housekeeperlike appearance answered my ring.
l asked for-wel, say Miss Merton.
Miss Merrion?" said she. Miss Merron left last