Marble Hill press. (Marbel [sic] Hill, Mo.) 1881-1923, 1912-01-11
CHAPTER XXI.
Stop, Theft

Milircent Delaroche slept soundly
Hers was the type OF beauty that re-
tains It's freshness through indulgence
In creature comforts. Not all her
fondness for amusement could lead
her to rob herself for many nights OF
the repose she instinctively knew was
essential TO the preservation OF her
charms. She was the sort OF woman,
past thirty. who retains a false youth
sometimes more effective than the i'm.
maturity which is measured BY the
calendar. Her complexion was as
delicate as a debutantes. Her eyes
were brighter than those OF the aver.
age athletic young woman. and no
silver thread shot the dusk OF her
luxuriant hair. All this was due large
y, she was convinced. TO her life.
long habit OF sleeping early and
often. and OF resolutely refusing 10
let her slumber be disturbed by any
such useless things as dreams. which.
after all. are mere ghosts OF thought
and too much thinking was not one
OF her foibles.
Though Mrs Delaroche slept pro
foundly. her external senses were not
wholly unvigilant Long study OF her.
self had made her sensitive TO dIsa.
greeable impressions that were purely
corporal: and So though no intrusive
vision Of mind could interrupt the
fluid calm OF her beauty sleep. a slight.
iy uncomfortable feeling at the pre-
else spot whence her tresses swept
upward In an elaborate couture or
parted in the braids OF negligee had
the effect OF arousing her as no mere
dream possibly could have done. It
required not many seconds. allowing
for the habits Of her mind. and the
fact that she suddenly was recalled
from deep repose. for Mrs. Delaroche
TO realize there was hand beneath
her pillow, and that hand was not one
OF her own. Rigid with fright she
waited an instant to assure herself
abe had not committed the innovation
OF dreaming, then she made a swift
reach for the alien hand-too late. II
had been withdrawn swiftly In the
few moments requisite to complete
comprehension of the situation, and II
Mrs. Delaroche had not been so Ger.
tain that she never dreamed, she
might have thought she still was
sleeping. Hasty exploration Of the |
space beneath her pillow, however.
told her the midnight hand had not
gone away empty, Realizing that, she
was broad awake in an instant. She
sat erect so swiftly that she bruised F..
her forehead slightly against some
thing cold and hard and round and
smooth that was Immediately pressed
to her head.
Don't move, or you'll get this!"
said a rough voice
Mrs. Delaroche gasped, and despite
the hand, sank back again to her pill.
low. She could still feel, however, or
iancied she could, the icy rim of the
metal that had touched her brow.
This was great feat of Imagination
or Mrs. De'aroche.
That's right lie stiH'" continued
he voice. IF you know what's good
or you"
Rough though the voice was, II was
'arefully subdued. II could not have
'een heard In the corridor. Mrs Della.
oche drew deep. auttering breath.
md was evidently on the point of
making another attempt to speak
when the metallic ring touched her
again. chilling her to silence.
nd the voice went on;
See here, lady. rye got no time to
taste with you. Just you stay where I
gu are. and don't make sound. un. /
ess you want to get this." and the !
1etal was pressed q little harder to ]
er forehead. Il am going to get out t
this room quietly. and I'm going
lght now. II you make any noise for "
be next FIVE minutes, I'll blow your 4
cad on" I
The cold pressure was removed
'om her forehead, and the burglar d
loved about the room The thick 4
arpet and doubtless the felt soles on D
he mans feet as auxiliaries, made bis c
cps soundless. He went from her D
ressing tabls to writing desk. light /,
g each IN turn with . vivid circle s
rs<s Tram IN electric pocket torch. q