Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1910-11-17

land to the cOther and my future ca.
Merton recklessly.. ..s
He leaned against the wall, with
folded arms. and surveyed the carpet
gloomily. 1@i - Z .~- as 4.
IF you wouldn't mind sitting down
so can rest my elbow on the desk.
1t tires my arm holding this thing out
so. Thank YOU" she said as Jack ODE
diently sank into chair.
IF you're going to call the police I
hope you won't mind doing so at once,
because if can clear myself in time
want to catch the $50 western ex-
press"
81 have called Them" hesitated the
! girl.
"How?'
GAS soon as you came in I found
the buHzer 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.
els there a telephone in this room?"
asked Jack presently.
eyes," replied the girl.
"You wouldn't let me call up cen
trail and discover where my cousins,
the Mertons, are? If Pm in the wrong
house, Why
''Is there any doubt about that?" Her
face was slightly contemptuous.
"A good deal Of doubt" asserted
Jack boldly. "This room is as famil-
lar to me as my own home. I've spent
weeks here l know every chair and
table. for the Mertons are not given
to changing their furniture If you
would take the trouble to look you
might find 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. if it's any advantage for
you to know, I wish I could tell you
the name of the owner; only. you see,
my friends have rented it furnished
rived this morning. and did not hear
the name of the owner if it has been
mentioned. And so it is possible that
this is Mr.. Merton's house. daresay
you are quite familiar with a good
many houses
LET up on that!' growled Jack, quite
out of temper. mo use hitting a fel-
low when he's down, you know"
II beg your pardon" said the girl,
her face coloring adorably, tbut you
must think me very mean. I've really
been talking at random. l thought l
heard sound Her head was bent
in listening attitude.
"Burglars!" suggested Jack, with a
grim smile. ''Or. what might be worse
for me. police-ugh!'
A strained look came into the girls
face as footsteps advanced swiftly
down the bill toward the door, She
arose and leaned toward her captive.
I'm sorry. l hope you'll come out
all right. | wish it had not been
who had to-
Thanks" said Jack dryly. It'll
probably come out after I've served
time! AS in the case of the girl in the
musical comedy song. you know. L
must be captured by somebody. and it
may as we'll be YOU Well. here goes"
There was the sound of voices out
side the door-feminine voices-and
then the door opened and skirts rustled
! silkily forward
Jean. you poor child. were you
frightened to death staying all alone
here. Mercy. what's this? Oh. put
down that pistol!'
Three young women. pretty as pic
lures, handsomely gowned fluttered
toward the loveliest girl of all as She
dropped the revolver to the desk. She
arose and pointed slim forefinger
toward Jack Merton.
"That is Pussy Harry, wanted by
the police. have captured him
She tainted away then. and it was
Jacks privilege to gather her up and
lay her on the leather couch before
confronting the bevy of hysterical girls,
who had fed to distant corner.
Pm Jack Merton" began that gen.
tleman with what dignity he could as.
sumo. land I've been trying to per-
suade this young lady that
"Of course it's Jack" cried the tall
est girl tossing back her veil. ITS
Peters cousin. Tell me what. has hap
pened."
Jack found his hands grasped by
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
recovering and sat up. listening to the
conversation with flaming cheeks and
sparkling eyes.
I'VE went to the matinee and left
Jean alone. 1.-THE servants were out.
She's been reading that lurid newspa-
per and-well., really. Mr.. Merton. IT
does look like you.' explained Mrs.
iFaneher when Mrs. Peter had made
I