Las Vegas optic., 1911-11-11

was ieLt alone. She had a
oook before her. but the meaning of
the story was quite lost to her. She
was waiting for that clicking sound
At the front door below. and time
seemed to drag.
"Botherl he isn't coming at all
Well, I'll go back to Idlehurst tomor-
row. and laugh at Geraldine. Then
IKE two nice little society mandarins,
Brother and will be nodding at each
other Saturday afternoon"
The evening wore on. and the still
ness deepened. Camilla rose and
looked out the window; here and there,
twinkling light shone through the
darkness. While she watched, some
of the lights disappeared. She look
ed at the clock and saw that it was
near midnight. When the hour struck,
camilla went softly into the hall and
peered over the railing. She had a
strong feeling that something was
about to happen.
An instant later, with the usual pre-
iiminary sounds, the lower door
swung slowly open. Camilla switch
ed on the hall lights, and dashed
down the stairs.
Stand where you are!" she COM
manded, loudly. "One step further,
and will call the police-or shoot!"
The tall figure before her retreated
at sight of the threatening weapon.
and reached fumblingly backward for
the door knob. Even in that moment
OF intense excitement. Camilla was
conscious Of a shock of disappoint-
ment as her eyes fell on the mans
face, clearly visible in the bright
light. 1t was not noble face-hand-
some enough, perhaps, but dissipated
and craven. The whole figure was un-
prepossessing. Why did the man not
speak? She wanted to hear his voice.
What are you doing here?" she
asked curiously at ease and con-
trolled. OF course he would declare
himself in another moment, and the
farce would be over. AS for meeting
Gilbert Merrill, the event was not /
worth the trip to town.
Then, to Camilla's astonishment as
she stood there, straight and chaIleng-
ing in her oriental draperies. the fig-
ure of the intruder backed silently
over the sill, out into the shadows of
the night. and the door swung to be-
tween them.
The coward" murmured Camilla
Then, In state of nervous reaction.
she sank into the hall chair and rest
ID her head weakly against the
carved back. And l drove Gilbert
Merrill out Of his own house! oh.
wnat Joke-but-why, l shall hate
% tell Geraldine. It's shaken me nm
awfully. Well. guess 1 can go to
sleep now-unless he should recover
Ind come back"
Click! Clickl The front door latch
again. Camilla, leaning forward in a
fascinated way, with the revolver ly-
ng idly in her lap. saw the heavy
ioor swing slowly inward, and man
enter. The new conner stood in dumb
prepossessing, erect,
keen-eyed. He looked at the fiaring
tights and at the huddled figure In the
hair.
Camilla could not utter . word she 1
Inew that this was Gilbert Merrill
nut who was the Aother? 4 At OF vio-
ent trembling came over her. and
er checks paled. Her eyes were
Ike those of a frightened child.
''Why-I believe rye scared you
erribly," said hearty, ringing voice,
nth such comforting sound in it. |
am Gilbert Merrill-and you must 1
Q one of Geraldine's friends. Is she {
ere? Why, what's this?" 8
For, as Camilla drew herself feebly |
} her feet, the little revolver ratified 7
} the floor.
There was burglar-a real burg /
IT here" she said, brokenly IL \
rdered him away-and then-you I
anne"
ooh, don't faint-you poor childI
ou're safe now"
Gilbert's supporting arm was
round her, and the heavy auburn t
raids lay against his shoulder, AS q
lie girls eyes uplifted shyly, they
let magnetized gaze that made her t
Ishes fall again. Faint and trem- {
ling, she was still blissfully con-
cious of the reassuring pressure OF 6
lat protective arm. 1t was really a
retty tableau that Aunt Lydia saw I
hen she peered wonderingly over !
le banister. Then explanations fol- t
WED
Early Saturday morning Geraldine I
eceived two letters. One, couched in 7
,rms that she alone might under {
and and signed Camilla" was 9
lrown aside after reading, with a {
etulant "Pshaw!" The other was !
ON Gilbert.
q shall not be down Saturday, with +.
lie crowd, Geraldine. Your friend,
-iss Ogden, has had an unpleasant
lock, and l think life at Idlehurst is
70 stimulating for her at present. so
have advised her to remain here
yer Sunday, and / will stay to see
lat she and her aunt are properly