The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-18
BY TEMPLE BAILEY.
pyright. 1911. by Associated Lat.

erary Press)
What in the world are YOU doing
I asked.
Aunt Serena laughed She was
standing by her mahogany dresser,
putting into a shabby bag well-hilec
purse, her diamond earrings, a coral
pin. and two rings.
MY DEAR" she said solemnly. \
have always been afraid OF burglars.
1t always seemed to me that II should
wake up some night and find man IN
my room l should die. So, IN order TO
avoid 1t, always put my valuabies in
this old black bag and set them on the
hall rack with a note addressed 10
any chance burglar. telling him that
there is nothing worth stealing In the
house, and asking him to take these
and go away as quickly as possible"
Il stared at her in Amusement.
why Aunt Serena" L cried. you
are practically giving your things
away: you might be able to hide them
so they couldn't be found
II have never lost anything she
said lightly, and ! have lived here
alone for twenty years"
Ii gave me a creepy feeling to go to
bed after that talk about burglars. l
WAS a city dwelier, and the still coun-
try night. the dense darkness. got on
my nerves. AT last / slipped into
Aunt Serena's room. She was propped
up among the pillows. reading: a
candle stood on u little table beside
her bed and cast a faint fame into
the surrounding darkness. l sat on
the foot OF the bed and talked to her.
1t had been ten years since my last
visit, and l wanted to hear the news
Are all the neighbors just the
same" / asked. And where Is tho
little boy who used to wade with me
in the stream and play Indians in the
woods"
Aunt Serena smiled. He came
home from college yesterday she
said. land he asked about YOU
He was nice little boy / re-
marked, reflectively.
He is nice young man." Aunt
Serena replied. He comes over very
often and cheers me up when l am
lonley."
I went to bed presently: but not to
sleep. Ola memories crowded upon
me. / could hear the frog croaking
in the pond where years ago, Bruce
Burns and had fioated paper boats
and built our windmils> He was a
nice boy, i. thought, as 1 drifted away
In dreams. and his emile was.
crack of twig; it seemed to me that
I there was steaithy step on the
walk.
crept out of bed and went to the
window l could see no one hut
there was a click of latch, and IN
another moment there came a sound
from below which indicated that the
intruder had entered the kitchen.
There are times when / am brave.
] thought OF Door Aunt Serena's black
bag on the hall rack 1t contained
her most precious belongings. ana I
was not inclined to let some tramp
carry off the treasures.
l slipped on my kimono and went
to the head of tn stairs: the burglar
was In the kitchen II made a rush
FOR 1t / could undoubtedly get the bag
and gain the safety of my own room
before he discovered me. With my
heart beating furiously. / made the
descent. grasped the bag and stood
still. as light fiared up from the
dining room and I caught sight Of
the burglar.
This was no ordinary thief, but a
ldii, "ci SCI up yOuH6 IuAH III u
blue serge suit. His hat was Off, and
his hair was rumpled up in a college
pompadour. He was searching In a
drawer where knew Aunt Serena
kept her cherished teaspoons. Well,
I had her jewels; he could take the
rest. l took one stealthy step as he
turned and saw me.
Hello" he said, easily, and came
toward me.
For q moment felt as II should
die OF fright, but look OF his face
reassured me. This was no hardened
criminal. The npale and unembar-
rassed manner spoke rather Of ono
who, having been caught in an un-
usual act. was prepared to defend It.
came forward into the light. I
must have made rather a fantastic
figure in my flowing gown. my hair
tumbling about my shoulders. But I
d1f3 not think tof my appearance.
Aren't you ashamed Of yourself I
demanded sharply. TO enter . house