Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-12-15
The Right
House
A Man Who Was Taken
For a Burglar
BY ANNA B. CLARK
Copyright. 1910 by American Press
BY ANNA B. CLARK
Copyright. 1910 by American Press
Association

was prompted to spend the interven.
ing hours with his cousin. Taking n
cab, he was driven TO the house
mo. Do. There she is. the next one
to this. l might have recognized the
bronze howerpots on the balcony any.
way. Now for surprise" He ran
lightly up the steps OF No DO. pulled
out latchkey he had long carried and
inserted it In the lock
The key fitted easily. and the door
swung open. revealing a long expause
OF cool dark hall in summer attire OF
linen coverings There was not a soul
In sight. The doors that he remcm.
bered led to drawing rooms, library
and sitting room were tightly closed
At this hour Uncle Fred aud Peter
would probably have returned from
the Office and. as was their daily Gus
tom, would be grilling over the even.
Ing papers in the library in the glare
OF strong electric lights instead OF
spinning along tile lake frCnt watch.
ing the sunset after the strenuous day
downtown. The MertonS were mnuey
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 or the
surrounding shadows darker shane
fitted and then came forward. reveal
ing the straight, slim figure OF n girl i'm
n 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 fearlcssly.
and he was conscious of quick move
ment OF her right hand then he found
himself looking into the menacing bar
rel of a small revolver.
What do you want heref" asked the
girl quietly.
Forgctful OF his clandestine entrance.
Mr.. Merton drew himself up proudly
Rather an original method of wei
coming guest" he said lightly.
Rather an original method OF pay
ing call" retorted the girl. you see.
heard Won enter the house"
How did you know it was not Mr..
Merton-or his SOM" asked Jack. with
amusement.
"Merton?" The girl lifted her fine
black brows questionngly. You have
fanO 10 s.ta L.
here"
Jack stared Then / am I'm the
wrong house. Isn't this No. 232?" he
asked bluntly.
yes"
My uncle has lived here for TWEEN.
TYNE years. Surely there can be no
mistake. You see. just came i'm from
the east. and while waiting for west
ern connections / ran NO here to sur
prise them. Here is the latchkey
have carried for ten years past. II fit
ted the door. ana 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 nj
the large half tone portrait of man
occupying the center Of the front
page. IT was evident that she had
been reading the paper when he en-
tered and had slipped into the shadow
OF tall screen at the sound OF his
approaching steps down the hall.
Jack picked mp the paper and car
ried IL nearer the light. the girl still
covering him with the little revolver.
The young man uttered q slight excIa.
nation and studied the picture and
the surrounding text with amazed
eyes and parted lips.
There before him was what might
have been 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 slickcst gentleman bur
glar out OF jail, and II was the pur-
pose OF the article 10 warn the pub
lie against his early arrival I'm Chicago
and to endeavor to place the gen
'A'HfAA Jul 6A'A btlllifl Tue DdIE as
speedily as might be accomplished.
You've been reading thisT' asked
Jack, rather breathlegsly.
The girl nodded
~ don't wonder you thought
might be--let INC see Pussy Harry,
I'll confess that we look enough alike
to be brothers-twins. In fact-but I'm
not vain. you know. only have ! got
that ratty look I'm my eyes?"
I'D rather not say" returned the
girl shortly. you must understand
that I'm not going to lot you get
away. The paper says you have com
mitted murder-you are wanted for
numerous burglaries and
II suppose you intend to call mp the
police station and turn me over to
the authorities Well. do so, can
prove my identity. but not before I