The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-18
BY IzoLA FORESTER.

Literary Press,l
Listen" whispered Cathleen ex-
citedly. Cant yau hear him now
Deed, and it's only the cracking
OF the telephone wires, Miss Cathie.
Don't you be worrying So" soothed
Blake. brushing out the long. beau
tIful waves of chestnut hair. There
isn't a soul out a night like this Tor
miles. You're tired and bit nerf-
GUS" ;,
I'm not a bit nervous Blake,
Cathleen retorted hauShuly. she
stared at the reflection of herself IN
the oval mirror and frowned- II was
certainly a white and troubled young
person who returned her gaze OF In
quiry. :,
Anyway, don't think 1t at all
right for papa to send me out here
at this time of the year.
"'1his foine place for the
asthma" Blake said gently.
But / haven't asthma It's papa
who has asthma 1 think he should
have thought OF me a little in the
matter. It's cold and bleak and mis-
cradle down here on the shore this
time OF the year, and there's nobody
living here--oh, Blake, there II Is
again. Don't you--can't you hear
it?''
1t was unmistakable this time, a
steady, dragging sound on the roof.
Cathleen reached for the pink-shaded
lights. and extinguished them with
fingers that strive to be steady. She
thought quickly. They had arrived
that afternoon. without warm -.
from New York Her father was 10
follow the next morning with his
nurse and secretary. Only Blake and
the old housekeeper were In the
house besides herself. The chauf-
feur was in town.
The house was one of several in
summer colony on the bay. The
long gardens rambled straight down
to the waters edge. 1t was the last
OF the row. and faced the sea on two
sides So far as Cathleen knew, there
were no other residents there, only
few servants elft in charge through
the winter.
Blake moved cautiously to the
nearest window and peered out. 1t
was stormy spring night. The rain
was pelting down in sheets. Out to
sea the lightning cut the darkness in
long glittering gashes, coming swiftly
after every crack OF thunder.
The house was built with gables.
Cathleen's suite was In the front. so
that the side windows commanded a
full view OF the sloping roof ON the
east gable above the library. She
leaned over Blake's shoulder. and
watched for the next fare OF light.
There he is she whispered. Hes
CLIMBED up as far as the parapet
Blake. and Is crouching behid that
-ehinaaey. .--.-.-ss4a4-
And what should he do that for.
Miss Gather" Blake Objected
wouldn't he go in the windows by
choice
Il don't know laughed Cathleen.
ner nerves running to extremes.
Maybe he prefers chimneys. I'm
going to telephone the village and
set the ponce out here Just az soon
as they can ccme.''
Blake listened to the howl OF the
"Ail. sure. they'll never get up tn the
shore In this gale. Miss Cathie," che
Hroaned. but Cathleen had already
sped down the long hall. aud she
spoke only to the windowpane.
Yes. hello. hello" called Cathleen.
tremendously as she got the number
at Seponsett headquarters. This 10
Mr.. Reds residence on the bay
NsA~ASs ANOtC 10 UOI6J6T on the
roof. and am alone except for two
servants. both women. Can you send
help at once? what? / don't know.
We only arrived about half an hour
aSo. The house has been closed all
winter. Do hurry. I'm afraid youth
be too late.''
She, hung up the receiver and
turned around to face Blake.
Il think he's trying to come down
the chimney. deed. and I do. He's
acting that oraftv. And there's the
open fireplace In the library. Miss
Cathie. Do you think he'll be drop
ping down that wayr'
Cathleen felt a wave OF faintness
eweep over her. II was her first
experience with burglars. But she
clerched both hands and stood fast
'shall wake Mrs. Rusby7''
'No." replied Cathleen. firmly.
''She's too nervous. The police win
be here in rem minutes. He won't
come down q hot chimney. You 60
and build fire IN the library.
Blake. and I'll ret pApa's revolver
from his rooms. and cover him with
It from my windows and II he breaks
In. III shoot.
The man on the east cable worked