El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-08-02
] | M M Y
BY IVAN GORE.

| ~ oMEWHERE in the depths Of the
silent house clock chimed the
midnight hour As the last stroke
died away, Jimmy sat bolt upright in
his bed and rubbed his eyes.
Suddenly, as he stared into the dark
ness, his heart started humping vio-
lently against his ribs as a memory
of other words spoken long ago came
wildly into his mind. He remember
ed how one night stern faced man
had bent over, him and whispered
softly, his mustached lips almost
pressed against the curly head. BE a
man, Jimmy; remember that. sonny,
always be man." the man had whfs-
pered. "and take care of mum while
dads away"
From tina tmoment Jimmy had never
set eyes upon the speaker. but tonight
he seemed to hear the wrods distinct
Nv. Once ne had asked where daddy"
was; then his mother had Rugged him
to her in a grip that almost hurt, but
his simple question had been left un-
answered Slowly. as he listened to
the dream voice Of the man who had
never returned, a scheme to protect
the household from any intruders took
root and grew in his active brain, and
he slipped noiselessly from his bed
On the broad landing he paused TO
listen All was silent, and mastering
up his courage, he proceeded to creep
softly down the thickly carpeted
stairs into the darkness Of the hall
below. The object OF his nocturnal
wandering was the library. There,
over the broad oaken manteE hung a
sword-a long, slightly curved. keen
blade, with tassels dangling from
white strap which was tightly twisted
round the gflded hilt- Once his fin
gers closed upon that hilt he felt that
all would be well, that success was
assured should occasion require him
to play the mans part in protecting
the house and its inmates AT the
library door he paused again. then
softly turning the handle, crept into
the room.
..who is there?' he cried, almost
tearfully.
No answer came, but a second later
he heard the sharp scratching of a
match, and as it flared up man
strobe out of the shadows and looked
at him keenly.
Jimmy was conscious of disappoint-
nent This was truly an intruder. but
his clothes were exactly like those
worn by his mothers guests when
she gave a dinner party, altogether
the stranger was scarcely the type or
man he had expected
'T know who you are" Jimmy said,
at last breaking the silence. you're
a -but-if-if-you-"
"A burglar, well. suppose I am"
the man answered, friendly, but might
1 ask who you are?"
His voice was pleasant, and Jimmy
made haste to answer with equal
lTo11 1Ir
I'm the man of the house"
They continued to look at each 9TH
err intently, but, just as the man was
about to speak again a light foot fall
sounded In the hall, the door opened,
and Jimmy's mother swept into the
room. q
Jimmy! you bad childr' she began,
then her eyes fell upon the stranger.
"'You-Jim-youI" she gasped
Yes, Molly the burglar answered,
quietly. TT is met''
The woman's troubled eyes seemed to
search his steady ones ouestioning1y,
then she turned to the slight pajamaed
figure at her side
Run off TO bed. dear. mother will
come to you soon."
Something in the voice he loved |
sounded strange. and Jimmy noticed
brightness in her eyes which he could |
not remember ever having seen be-
fore, also the hand that pushed him
gently toward the door shook. He !
was dubious about leaving her alone |
with the burglar, so on the threshold |
he paused and looked back at the two |
silent figures by the table. The adj |
venture grow IN strangeness and. fear |
full lest danger might Turk beneath !
the seeming calmness of his elders, I,
he crept softly TO a great settee, and. |
curling himself up into a corner. set |
himself to watch.
Slowly the woman's eyes left those |
of the man and travelled to the open
window which proclaimed his manner
Of entry.
$50" she whispered, unsteadily, at !
has come to this?'
ITO what?"
She waved her hand towards the |
window. Like a thief in the night,
like "a
''Yes" he interrupted. sharply. like
a thief in the night I've returned to |
steal a look at the boy-our-child,
Molly" he added. almost fiercely,
mine as well as yours
You might have called in more
amer
The man laughed harshly. ITO be
admittance in an even more |