Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-03-22
CHAPTER XXI.
stop. Thief

Nlllicent Delaroche slept soundly.
Vars was the type of beauty that re-
,.ius its freshness through indulgence
n creature comforts. Not all her
badness for amusement could lead
Mr. 70 rob herself for many nights Of
Il, repose she instinctively knew was
.uential to the preservation of her
Charms. She was the sort of woman,
vsst thirty, who retains false youth
.onetimes more effective than the i'm
maturity which is measured by the
nlendar. Her complexion was as
Ssncate as a debutante's. Her eyes
vsre brighter than those Of the aver
AZ athletic young woman, and no
liver thread shot the dusk of her
Iururiant hair. All this was due large
h, she was convinced, to her life
lonr habit of sleeping early and
cften, and Of resolutely refusing to
III her slumber be disturbed by any
such useless things as dreams, which,
dler all, are mere ghosts Of thought
--snd too much thinking was not one
q Der foibles.
Though Mrs. Delaroche slept pro-
tundly, her external senses were not
vholly unvigilant Long study of her
III lad made her sensitive to disa-
reeable impressions that were purely
carporeal and so, though no intrusive
vision Of mind could interrupt the
fuid calm of her beauty sleep. a slight
b uncomfortable feeling at the pre-
tiss spot whence her tresses swept
Upward in an elaborate couture or
parted In the braids of negligee had
tie effect Of arousing her as no mere
dream possibly could have done. It
required not many seconds. allowing
ior the habits Of her mind. and the
net that she suddenly was recalled
hom deep repose. for Mrs. Delaroche
b realize there was a hand beneath
ksr pillow, and that hand was not one
4 her own. Rigid with fright, she
waited an instant to assure herself
fhe had not committed the innovation
q dreaming, then she made a swift
reach for the alien hand-too late. II
had bean withdrawn swiftly In the
lev moments requisite to complete
apprehension Of the situation, and II
Ma Delaroche had not been so GER
hin that she never dreamed. she
night have thought she still was
sleeping Hasty exploration of the
pace beneath her pillow, however.
told her the midnight hand had not
fune away empty. Realizing that. she
vas broad awake in an instant. She
at erect SO swiftly that she bruised
Der forehead slightly against some
ling cold and hard and round and
mooth that was Immediately pressed
nenacingly to her head.
Don't move, or you'll get this!"
aid q rough voice.
Mrs. Delaroche gasped, and despite
ee hand, sank back again to her pill
~ She could still feel. however, or
nncied she could, the icy rim Of the
nstal that had touched her brow.
rms was a great feat Of imagination
mr Ma. Delaroche.
That's right; lie still" continued
.s voice. III you know what's good
ior you
hough though the voice was. II was
s'eIully subdued. 1t could not have
zen heard in the corridor. Mrs. Della
oshe drew a deep, nuttering breath,
vas evidently on the point OF
n.klng another attempt to speak
wen the metallic ring touched her
Msnesd again. chilling her to silence
na he voice went on:
zee here. lady, I've got no time to
s1''s With you. Just you stay where
~ are, and don't make a sound, un
you want to get this!" and the
"a was pressed a little harder &c
~ forehead. Il am going to get out
uh room quietly, and I'm going
sns nov. n you make any noise foi
aext i've minutes. I'll blow YOU
me cold pressure was removed
aon her forehead, and the burglar
lived about the room. The thicl
pet and doubtless the felt soles OF
N mans feet a. auxiliaries, made his
soundless. He went from hei
sslng table to writing desk, light
each IN turn with . vivid circle
nya iron an slectrie nocket torch