The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-02-06

SU0nces
Madam, wish to be your friend"
he continued In the same hoarse whis.
per, feeling his way across the room.
Leave everything behind and escape
now, while there Is time. / will'-
BE silentr Kissed a woman's voice
in his ear, and something round and
cold pressed against his neck Speak
one word and you are dead mani"
BUT protested Rodney indignant
~.
Don't move an inch You win stay
where you are until my husband
comesg' she Kissed in bis ear.
For Eve minutes they stood thus, rig
idly silent Presently Rodney felt the
pressure of the steel relax tribe, and
at the same time something soft and
powdery sifted down his collar.
"What is that sitting down my
neck?" he demanded suspiciously.
"Gunpowder, l suppose" she Kissed
In his ear. win you keep stillr'
eve a good mind to call the watch
man." he whispered recklessiy.
She laughed scornfully, sort Of whis-
pering laugh that thrilled through him.
Perhaps l better call him. can
scream much louder than you can
shout"
"You don't dare. How would you
ike to have handouts on your pretty
wrists7" he retorted.
She was silent
'Tf you will give up the jewels will
let you go without further trouble" he
said after awhile.
Aga'n he laughed $50 kind Of you'll
But you are not OBTAINING me. remem-
ber."
Rodney did remember all of a sudden
and felt foolish. He wondered If he
should suddenly turn upon her what
abe would do. Would she really Gre
on her weapon? he knew these wom-
en- burglars were, very clever and dar-
ing, but her remark about gunpowder
escaping from the weapon she held at
his neck betrayed her ignorance Of are
arms
Rodney decided to remain perfectly
quiet. He was more afraid Of q wom-
an who did not understand the use OF
firearms than one who did.
Minutes passed. and he began to wor-
~ about his wife Alarmed at his long
absence from the dance, she would I'M
doubtedlyl inquire for him and mention
her fears to her hostess; then Mrs.
Wetmore would explain and Maud
might call him by telephone to ind out
/ what was the matter.
he was leaning against the wall now,
and, as he was. quite tan, he could just
feel his hair brushing against the wall
bracket that held an electric light So
stealthily did he move his left arm up
ward that his body remained quite rig
I'd. 1t took him FIVE minutes to raise bis
fingers to that they touched the switch.
Gently he twisted it until all at oncs
the room was flooded with light.
1t was such surprise that both be
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 lrst at the silver salt shak-
er which she had been holding against
his throat. He looked stupidity at her
gloved hands and arms, upward to
the long red evening cloak and lastly
at his wife's mirthful face, half laugh
ing, half crying. wholly excited.
Your he almost shouted
'And your shrieked Mrs Flitman.
Historically.
'sWell, you are plucky one, Maud"
be admitted admiringly as he prepared
a restorative for her shattered nerves.
What are you doing hereT' she ask
ed.
Wasn't sure whether I locked that
safe door after ALL he said. go /
came back to find out"
II missed my key to the safe. II had
It tied around my neck. So came
home i was afraid might have drop
ped it here and burglar would find
IT," .,
There were some suspicious booking
people In the elevator when we went
downfall dark couple, You know
ooh. what do you think. Rod-they
were at the dance! They happen to
be Mrs. Wetmore's cousins. and they
have taken an apartment here"
"StungR' mourned Mr.. Flttman, de-
prived OF bis last suspicion