The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-20
Cathleen'S
Capture
(CoDyrirh,, I9,a, by Associated Literary Press)


citedly. Cant you 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
tifu! waves of chestnut hair. There
isn't a soul out a night like this for
miles. You're tired and a bit nerv-
GUS"
I'm not a bit nervous. Blake,
Cathleen retorted haughtily. She
stared at the reflection Of herself IN
the oval mirror and frowned. 1t was
certainly a white and troubled young
person who returned her gaze OF In
Quiry.
Anyway, don't think It at all
right for papa to send me out here
at this time Of the year"
"'Tis foine place for the astn'
ma" Blake said gently.
But l haven't asthma. It's papa
who has asthma. think he should
have thought of me q 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 It 10
again. Don't you-cAp9 you hear IT."
It was uhm1stakable THU time. (
steady. dragging sound on tie r6of.
Cathleen reached for the pfnk'shaded
lights. and extinguished them with
fingers that strove to be steady. She
thought quickly. They had arrived
that afternoon. without warning.
from New York. Her father was to
follow the next morning with his
nurse and secretary. Only Blake and
the old housekeeper were In the
house besides herself. The chauffeur
was In town.
The house was one Of several in a
summer colony on the bay. The long
gardens rambled straight down to the
waters edge. It 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 q few
servants left In charge through the
winter.
Blake moved cautiously to the near.
est window and peered out. 1t was a
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.
Tho 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 u.s." she whispered. Hes
climbed up as far as the parapet,
Blake, and is crouching behind that
chimney"
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.
her nerves running to extremes.
Maybe he prefers chimneys. I'm 60.
ing to telephone the village and get
the police out here Just as soon as
they can come"
Blake listened to the howl Of the
storm outside.
"Ah, sure. they'll never get up the
shore In this gale. Miss Cathie." she
groaned, but Cathlecn had already
sped down the long hall, and she
spoke only to the windowpane.
"Yes. hello. hello" called Cathleen
TREMENDOUSLY. as she got the number
at Seponsctt headquarters. This is
Mr.. Reds residence on the bay shore.
There is burglar on the roof. and
I am alone except for two servants.
both women. Can you send help at
once? What? don't know. We on
ly arrived about half an hour ago.
The house has been closed all win.
ter. Do hurry. I'm afraid you'll be
too late"
She hung up the receiver and turn.
ed around to face Blake.
Il think he's trying to come down
the chimney. deed. and I do. He's
acting that crafty. And there's the
open fireplace In the library. Miss
Cathie. Do you think he'll be dropping
down that way?"
Cathleen felt . wave OF faintnesa
sweep over her. II was her nrst
experience with burglars. But she
cleanched both hands and stood fast
SHALL I wake Mrs. Busbyr'
NO." replied Cathleen. firmly
She's too nervous. The police will
b here In ten minutes. He WONT
come down . hot chimney. You "a
and build . are in the library. Blake,
and I'll get papa's revolver nom bid
rooms, and cover him with It from
my windows. and II be breaks In. III
shoot"
The man on the east gable worked
with deliberation. Now he crouched
behind the low parapet - the wind
swept In from the sea. Then Cath
leen could 80 him start to work with