The Republican journal., 1911-09-28
THE RIGHT HOUSE.

O'Clock on RAINY afternoon. HIS tram
for the west left at 9, and he was
prompted to spend the intervening hours
with his cousin. Taking a cab, he was
driven to the house.
''No. 232. There she is, the next one
to this. l might have recognized the
bronze f1ower-pots on the balcony any
way. Now for surprise" He ran
lightly up the steps of No. 232, pulled
out latchkey he had long carried and
inserted it in the lock-
swung open, revealing long expanse of
cool, dark hall in summer attire of linen
coverings. There was not soul in sight.
The doors that he remembered led to
drawing rooms, library and sitting room
were tightly closed.
At this hour Uncle Fred and Peter
would probably have returned from the
Office and, as was their daily custom,
would be grilling overthe evening papers
in the little library in the glare of strong
electric lights instead of spinning along
the lake front watching the sunset after
the strenuous day down town. The Mer-
tons were money grubbers, anyway,
with but little eye for beauty. Never
theless money grubbing had not affected
the warmth of their big hearts, and this
was unusual
Jack strobe down the hall, softly turn
ed the knob of the library door and en-
tered-to find himself in the mellow,
subdued light of a solitary lamp on the
writing desk Out of the surrounding
shadows darker shape fitted and then
came forward, revealing the straight,
slim figure of girl in soft black gown,
with a string of pearls around her white
o,1 J,rcDy Of hair froyo
ing the loveliest face Jack had ever seen
"a face lighted by glorious hazel eyes
and tinted with exquisite color.
The hazel eyes met Jacks fearlessly,
and he was conscious. of a quick move
ment of her right hand; then he found
himself looking into the menacing barrel
of a small revolver.
what do you want here?" asked the
girl quietly.
Forgetful of his clandestine entrance,
Mr.. Merton drew himself up proudly
Rather an original method of paying a
CALL" retor.ed the girl. "You see l
heard you 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 questioningly. ''You have made
mistake; there are no Mertons here"
Jack stared "Then am in the wrong
house. Isn't this No. 1927 he asked
bluntly.
Yes"
my uncle has lived here for twenty
five years. Surely there can be no mis-
take. You see, just came in from the
nections ran up here to surprise them.
Here is the latchkey l have carried for
ten years past 1t fitted the door, and
SO came in, expecting to find my rela-
tives here" He stopped abruptly at the
slightly scornful expression on the girl $
face. perhaps you don't believe me?"
he asked scornfully.
For answer the girl pushed a news
paper across the table and pointed at the
large half-tone portrait of man occupy
ing the center of the front page. 1t was
evident that she had been reading the
paper when he entered and had slipped
into the shadow of tall screen at the
sound of his approaching steps down the
hall
Jack picked up the paper and carried
it nearer the light, the girl still covering
him with the little revolver. The young
man uttered a slight exclamation 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 slick
est gentleman burglar out of jail, and it
was the purpose of the article to warn
the public against his early arrival in
Chlcago-and to endeavor to place the
gentleman burglar behind the bars as
speedily as might be accomplished.
You We been reading this?' asked
Jack, rather breathlessly.
The girl nodded.
Il don't wonder you thought might
be-let me see-Fussy Harry! I'll con-
fess that we look enough alike to be
brothers. twins, in fact-but I'm not
vain, you know, only have l got that
ratty look in my eyes?"
I'D rather not say" returned the
girl, shortly. you must understand
that I'm not going to let you get away
The paper says you have committed
murder-you are wanted for numerous
burglarles and''-
II suppose you intend to call up the
police station and turn me over to the
authorities. Well, do SO! l can prove
my iocISiIyJ DOl ilOC USlOIc nave Ue6u
held up to suspicion, my name banded
from one end of the land to the other
and my future career ruined Well,
Letter go.' said Mr.. Merton, recklessly.
He leaned against the wall, with fold
ed arms, and surveyed the carpet gloom
lily.
If you wouldn't mind sitting down so
l can rest my elbow on the desk. 1t tires
my arm holding this thing out so. Thank
you;' she said, as Jack obediently sank
into chair.
''If you are going to call the police l
hope you won't mind doing so at once,
because if l can clear myself in TIM,
want to catch the $50 western express. -
81 have called them," hesitated the
girl.
"How?"
GAS soon as you came in l found the
buzzer on the burglar alarm that con-
meets with the police station and sig
nailed. They should be here very soon."
She was quite white now, and the hand
that held the revolver trembled visibly.
.'1s there a telephone in this room?"
asked Jack presently.
Eyes,, replied the girl.
you wouldn't let me call up central
and discover where my cousins, the Mer-
tons are? If Pm in the wrong house,