The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-06


Inc pink costume had tumblea and
fallen over them both.
Furiously angry Cynthia STRUGGLED
to free herself. but Colbrook enIv
held her the tighter ana without more
ceremony carried her up me nan to
the front Of the apartment
He set her down il the middle al
the dining table. Now-mF rttle
burglar-what are you going ID do?g
he asked with polite mockery
I'm not burglarla stornet Cyn-
thia, and a furious color famed INTO
her cheeks.
Lazy burglars generally say that"
commented Colbrook
I'm not a lady burglar. insisted
Cynthia, very. near to tears.
7 most certainly wouldn't take you
for a man burglar said Colbrook.
Cynthia struggled for calm ana a
moment later looked defantly into
Jim Coibrook's eyes. she felt that
she was beautiful to the eyes looking
back at her and it gave her courage
to be herself-fearle IS and confident.
T realize fully that / had not the
slightest right in the world to enter
this apartment but" She hesitated
and the color again famed into her
face. Colbrook was gazing steadily
at her and something in his face told
her that he was even then condemn.
ing himself.
Tor rather my family occupied
this apartment just before you did
and in the hurry Of moving / left 4
costume Of mine in that wardrobe at
the end Of the hall A smile crept
into Cynthia's eyes when she remem-
bered herself hanging to the door.
Colbrook smiled, but very grimly. 1T
was masquerade costume and
needed It for a dance tonight there
was no one in the apartment and as
] have my key
Don't say any more" Cookbook
had raised hand. Il already feel
that owe you an apology, but / must
ask you to hurry now. This is a
bachelor apartment the rest Of the
fellows will be home any minute. 1--WE
are all going out to the country to-
day. II they found you here there
would be the deuce Colbrook led
the way down the hall. Cynthia had
jumped hurriedly to her feet.
Il must have my costumel' she
cried hurriedly, but do get me out
Of here before
The door slammed in the hall be-
low and a great noise OF whistIing
arose. Colbrook jerled suit case
from the wardrobe, jammed the pink
costume in and with scant ceremony
hurried Cynthia out.
The play was none too quick. Gym
thia was scarcely down one flight OF
stairs when she met another good
looking man. His arms were loaded
with great bundles and Cynthia
squeezed narrowly By him.
BreathIess, excited, yet strangely
happy, Cynthia made her way toward
the Pennsylvania station.
Ted Lane, bundles and all got into
Colbroolx'g Apartment.
Next time you fellows want mas.
Querade costumes you can get them
yourseIfp he sputtered and dropped
the costumes he had carried. "But r
say, JIM met a peach on the stairs
just now"
Let's hope she lives In the build-
ing, Colbrook said, and picked up q.
masquerade costume a suit OF chain
armor rs this for megp he asked.
Some few hours later a masquerade
was in progress. The scene was in
one Of the Long Island mansions.
a knight, In chair armOF, ap+
preached q pink rosebud.
May / have q dance three or four
dancesg" asked the knight.
The pink rosebud gave him her
dance order.
When they were circling the room
and Colbrooks arm was like band
Of steel around the pink rosebud he
bent his head.
After ALL he whispered into the
rosebud's heart, you are q burglar. /"
A thrill Of contentment ran through
Cynthia.
Even so,p she declared, Il am not
one bitsorry"