The Winslow mail., 1912-03-02

lace that belonged to some queen,
believe, is very valuable"
Yes, indeed. Are you interested
In Aunt Phoebe's collection? think
that she Is very foolish to leave such
Things here even If she does have a
sort of double lock, don't your"
Yes, but I suppose she trusts her
servants"
Folly excused herself presently
She wanted to run upstairs and ask
ABOUT Aunt Phoebe before dinner, she
salo. When she reached the landing
she heard strange noise and went
quickly down again thinking that a
log had fallen from the fire and that
sne could help Bob put it back in
place.
Wnat she saw fairly paralyzed her
For woman, she thought very
quickly, and reached up to get
loaded pistol that Aunt Phoebe al
ways Kept on high stand in the
hall. Then she covered the man
Wnere he knelt before the famous
cabinet slipping the jeweled necklace
in his pocket.
Hands upi I think" she said,
coolly, that I can shoot pretty
straight. To think that you would
steal from Aunt Phoebe!"
The man covered before the look
IN her face. TITS all a Joke" he
whimpered just as the door bell rang.
When Polly heard james enter the
nall she spoke to him quietly, with,
out taking her eyes from the burglar.
hurry up, James, and see who is
there. Be careful Then come here"
well, hello. James. How's Aunt
Phoebe? Tell her Bob's here" Polly
heard a deep voice say. What the
devil does this mean?"
Come and help me. / have caught
a gentleman thief"
1t took very little time for Bob and
James to replace the valuables and
tie their prisoner hand and foot.
Then James and big burly fellow
from the stables stood guard over
him In locked room until the sheriff
could arrive.
Phoebe was shaking before the fire
when Bob went back to her He
handed her glass of wine.
II can't hold it," sobbed Polly.
II am scared to death"
"After you have been so brave?
Here. I'll hold It, Drink it ALL"
But Polly's GOODNESS had disap-
peared. IL can't, tell you. Why,
he could have murdered me and IL
talked to him about everything.
Obi" walled Polly, "Tl never get
over this--never!"
Bob put his strong, steady arms
around her and held the wine to her
mouth.
Poor little grill" he said soothing
ly. Brace up. That was the bravest
thing ever saw a girl do. Nice
scheme Of that thief's. One of the
maids was a confederate and she put
him on to my coming and Aunt
Phoebe's headache. He is certainly
g. bold, bad man. admire you for
what you did, even If you don't like
red heads"
Polly glanced up where the fire.
light showed on Bob's hair.
when, when l said that" she
stammered, T-I didn't know it was
such a beautiful red.'
Two hours later Miss Phoebe feel
ing better come into the room softly
and saw two figures before the dane
ing flames. Polly's fair curls rested
perilolsly near the auburn locks of
her favorite.
This doesn't look exactly like
hatred" she declared
ut isn't" laughed Bob. "It's q
case Of old-fashioned love. Polly is
going to marry me-"
"You watch her, Bob" cautioned
Miss Phoebe. Polly is marrying you
for this house."
That's all right" agreed Bob
cheerfully. 'I don't care how, why
or what her reasons may be. just so
she marries me-"
Polly helped Miss Phoebe to her big
chair. ''It had to be, Aunt Phoebe"
she whispered, "I am the spirit Of
your love. Bob is the spirit of his
fathers. The memories in this room
just reached out and drew our hearts
tO1ether''