Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1912-01-25


that the hall was empty, but that the
ball and chain that controlled the
switch were swinging violently from
the chandelier
Somebody had touched the chain but
an instant ago. His hand found the
incandescpnt bulb still warm from the
recent light.
A faint, very faint. creepy feeling
stirred the roots Of Rodney Flitman's
hair. 1t was unpleasant to feel that
there was q burglar in his home and
that a thin door was all that separat-
ed him from him.
The Waterman was eight stories be
low. violent rapping on the floor
or n vigorous shout would bring him
upstairs within five minutes. but in
the meantime the invaders of his home
would have fled by way Of the fire es-
cape and taken something with them.
Besides, Rodney suspected the burglar
to be woman. and he was gallant
enough to desire to give her chance
to escape, only he wanted her to give
up whatever she had taken.
Perhaps she had already been fright
ened away by his opening Of the door.
If she went to the fire escape she would
surely lose her life. for he rccoIccted
now with sort Of horror that the iron
stairway was coated with ice.
Resolutcly he went forward and
opened the dining room door He
heard n quickly indrn wn breath like
10Th and tim rttGtIn nf a ciIknn
skirt and then dead silence In the dark
ness
Madam he whispered hoarsey.
Silence.
Madam, | wish to be your friend"
he continued in the same hoarse wills
per, feeling his way across the room.
leave everything behind and escape
now, while there is time. ! will"-
"Bc silentw Kissed n woman's voice
in his ear. and something round and
cold pressed against his neck Speak
one word and you are dcnd mani!
But protested Rodney indignant
ly
Don't move an inch. You will stay
where you are until my husband
comes. SIle Missed Ill Ills eur.
For five minutes they stood thus. rig
idly silent Presently Rodney felt the
pressure OF the steel relax a trife, and
at the same time something soft and
powdery sifted down his collar.
"Whnt is that sitting down my
neck?" he demanded suspiciously.
"Gunpowdcr, suppose" she Kissed
In his ear "Will you keep stillp'
"Tve n good mind to call the watch
man." he whispered recklessly.
She laughed scornfully, n sort of whls-
perlng laugh that thrilled through him.
perhaps | better call him. can
scream much louder than you can
shout"
"You don't dare. How would you
like to have handouts on your pretty
wrists?" he rctortcd
She was silent
ar you will give up the jewels will
let you go without further trouble" he
said after awhile.
Aga he laughed. $50 kind OF you'll
But you are not OBTAINING me, remem-
ber."
Rodney did remember all OF n sudden
and felt foolish He wondered II he
should suddenly turn upon her what
she would do. Would she really fire
Off her weapon? He knew these WON
en- burglars were very clever and dar-
ing, but her remark about gunpowder
escaping from the weapon she held Mt
his neck betrayed her ignorance of fire
arms.
Rodney decided to remain perfectly
quiet. He was more afraid of wom-
an who did not understand the use OF
firearms than one who did.
Minutes passed, and he began to wor
ry about his wife Alarmed ut his long
absence from the dance, she would un
doubtedly inquire for him and mention
her fears to her hostess; then Mrs,
Wetmorc would explain. and Maud
might call him by telephone to find out
what was the matter.
He was leaning against the wall now,
and, as he was quite tall, he could just
feel his hair brushing against the wall
bracket that held an electric light. So
stealthlly did he move his left arm up
ward that his body remained quite rig
Id, 1t took him five minutes to raise his
fingers to that they touched the switch.
Gently he twisted It until all at once
the room was flooded with light.
1t was such n surprise that both he
and the woman beside him remained
rigid for an instant. Then she reCov
cred her wits first and broke into hys-
terical laughter He turned to her
and stared first at the silver salt shak-
er which she had been holding against
his throat lie looked stupidity ut her
gloved hands and arms, upward to
the long red evening cloak and lastly
at his wifcs mirthful face, half laugh
ing, half crying. wholly excited.
Your he almost shouted,
And your". shrieked Mrs Flltman
al