The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-02
BY LOUISE MERRiFiELD.

Copyright 1911. by Associated
Literary Press)
Leslie was very glad to be homo.
She left the elevator with O bouyant
step. opened the door to the studio
suite. and breathed sigh of7suprerne
happiness. Home was home after all.
1t was warm Indian summer
night. She decided no, TO light the
gas. The view OF the city was too
enthralling at that late hour to spoil
She threw her cloak and hat on the
hall settle, and went on into the re-
ception room.
two months before. The janitor's
wife had been up and cleaned for her.
and left the windows open, she no.
ticed. The couch WAS not in Its
usual place. She turned around and
nearly fell over chair placed at a
new angle, laughed, and dropped
down on the couch
Just for minutes rest" she told
herself. after the long day Of travel.
and even with that thought weighing
on her. she fell asleep. exhausted oat
happy.
The closing Of the outer door was
what wakened her. She heard 1t far
OF In her dreams, and wakened lis
tening. Steps sounded through the
hail. quiet. rather slow. but steps. As
she propped herself on one elbow.
and looked cautiously out beyond the
hangings at the arch. she saw the
figure of a man outlined distinctly
against the half light He was tall
and young, she could tell that much.
even as he stood with averted face
before tbs dining-room door. He Ell :
tered the inner room, after a pause
and she caught the scratch of a
match. 1t was a daring burglar
More, he was whistling softly under
his breath as he moved about.
Leslie rose determinedly. Packed
under the sideooard was a fun tea
set OF silver, and various precious
fanil, odds and en.s that she had
taken from the family home in Yer
mont to brighten her city abode
They should not fall into the sack OF
any Rallies If she could save them.
What are you doing herer''
He turned at her voice. 1t was a
tritie shaky. hut determined. He,
wavy blond hair was rumpled, hel
cheeks flushed from her short sleeI
and her blue eyes wide and start
lingly bright. She was figuring this
| distance to the telephone in the hal
even while she watched him
Yet his answer was an old one, and
most touching In his simplicity
Tn hungry" he said. gently.
oh. you poor fellow" she ex.
claimed before she thought. Can
| you find any employment at all? DC
| you have to follow this life? Yol
| don't look-thAt kind"
! It's bully OF you to say So hi
returned warmly, hands in pockets
| leaning across the table toward her
i with, ayes. full OF frank est 'adlnara tsoa,
! I'm awfully hungry. don't yol
I know"
And there isn't thing to ca
in the icebox. I've been away fol
two months"
Il know it."
| And you thought l was still 40
sent" she flashed back. Pleas
don't think I'm nervous I'm not
bit, but won't you take your hands
| out of your pockets? l keep think
Ing you are going to leap at mean,
| brass-knuckle me-"
BY Jove. I'm sorry" His hand
! came from his pockets instantly
! Honestly. l haven't anything des
! perate on me-"
Haven't you? Because you didn'
expect to meet any one. l suppose
Can't we compromise? Truly. In
shivering tacks. l never even saw .
burglar before. Couldn't you TAX
| what cash / have on hand---it's abou
| twenty dollars. / think-and cali /
off? That would get you somethin,
to eat, and grubstake you to tn
| town. 30 to speak"
| The two faced each other, tn
| broad dining table between. Ill
looked straight into her eyes unit
the gaze wavered and dropped,
] You're the pluckiest girl eve
saw" he said. fervently. II didn'
tell you at first. because 1t was sucl
a ripping joke. you know. but your
in the wrong apartment"
| Il am 7" gasped Leslie Why. nc
! I'm not. I've been asleep on tn
! couch in there"
! 1T is my couch" he murmured
! happily. I'm glad you. slept on 4 u
! Goldenhair. Did you ALSO drink from
4 my bowl. and eat from my table. an
4 sit In the little bears chair"
'Isn't this humble, Twelve
/ "It is Number Twenty-Five. direct
[ above Number Twelve
But the pass key fitted the lock.