The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-11-07

longer alone Eagerly she raised her
self on her elbow. The light from the
street sent a long, bright ray across
the room and her near-sighted eyes
made out a form in front of the dress
tag table.
'I,u-" the word was checked
The form had moved. 1t was a man!
Limp, neryeless, she dropped back
on her pillow. The fear that haunted
her by day, the trembling terror of
her waking hours at night, had taken
shape.
She was alone ia the presence of a
burglar.
In her fright and horror she lay,
following in a maze the mans smooth
dexterity as ne handled the objects
on the dressing table.
The man moved from the dressing
table; a door creaked. She looked up
to see his square shoulders disappear
ing into the closet
Her blood leaped and coursed
through her veins. Her fears dropped
from her. She was no longer a fright
ened, helpless little woman. She
slipped from the bed; her noiseless
feet skinned the floor. Just before
she reached the closet they caught in
a rug. She stumbled; her out
stretched hand hit the door 1t
swung to with bang. Instantly she
was up, her fingers grasping the key.
She turned 1t and leaned breathless
but triumphant against the panel
There was a moment of quiet.
Neither she nor the burglar moved.
Then the knob of the door was turned
gently. The man breathed heavily as
he braced himself to break the lock.
Again her fears were upon her. Her
shaking knees failed her; she was
sinking to the carpet when a louder
rattle of the knob behind stiffened
her to life.
She started to run. The floor rose
to meet her, but she kept on till she
reached the hall,
Murder! Murder!" Only a whis.
per came to her lips.
Murder! Murder!" 4 thin, quaver.
ing falsetto.
what is it, madam? What is it?"
exclaimed a big man, struggling with
a collar button at the back of
his neck.
"a man." gasped Miss Bartlett, "a
man"
"a man, madam, a man?"
Eyes, yes; a burglar, He went into
the closet. l locked him in
"Why? What the devil?" exclaimed
the big man, when he opened the
closet.
mo, Johnson, l deny the tender ap-
pellation.
What in thunder, Atterbury, are
you doing locked M in your own
closet?"
"Wen, Sammy, that's something 1
wish you would explain"
"Ben o Benz" Miss Bartlett
pushed to the center of the group
and seized Mr.. Atterbury by the arm.
'Why Aunt Lucy, Aunt Lucy,
" arc yOu dOlIS AtiS.
where's the burslar?"
''But Aunt Lucy, how did you come
hera?"
81 came to see Lucille. Where's the
burglar?" she demanded peering
around into the closet.
There isn't any burglar that I
know Of, Who locked me in there?"
"Why, | did. l thought thought
you were a burglar"
"But l don't understand. How did
you come here in my room?"
Your room? Lucille said it was my
room"
Seems to me things are a little
mixed. Lucille lives two blocks from
here"
Miss Bartletts bewildered eyes
wandered from one to the other of
the three gentlemen. 81 see how it
is" she said at last. I've got into
the wrong house. I'm just stupid
old woman"
Supported on Ben's strong arm, the
street lamps blinked merrily at her
through the whirling fakes, and the
wind that caught her skirts and
whipped in her face, was but a glee-
full winter gale.
do come in, Ben; do come in,"
she urged at the door. Don't leave
me till | find out whether Lucille is
hunting for me among the lost ar
ticles at the police station or is drag
ging the river"
Aunt Lucy!" voice cried from
the hall above. Flying feet. floating
draperies a vision of disheveled
golden hair, and she was seized in a
warm embrace. II have hunted
Good evening, Mr. Atterbury," from a
remote distance.
Lucille" said Miss Bartlett, SOL
EMMY Il came near getting Ben
murdered. Yes, murdered" she re-
peated in response to Lucile's incred-
ulous expression. Hell tell you all
about it. / want to get off these
things. They are inch-deep in snow.
Take him into the parlor. I'll be
back in a minute. | have some bust
ness I want to consult him about"
she called back half way up the
stairs.