Graham guardian., 1912-01-26
CHAPTER XXI.
stop, Theft

Stop, Theft
Millicent Delaroche slept soundly.
Hers was the type Of beauty that re-
tains its freshness through Indulgence
In creature comforts. Not all her
ifondness 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 false youth
sometimes more effective than the i'm
maturity which is measured by the
calendar. Her complexion was as
delicate az q debutante's. 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
ly. she was convinced, to her life
long habit Of sleeping early and
often. and Of resolutely refusing to
let her slumber be disturbed by any
such useless things az 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
corporeal: and 90. though no intrusive
vision Of mind could interrupt the
fiuid calm Of her beauty sleep. q slight
ly uncomfortable feeling at the pre-
else spot whence her tresses swept
upward in an elaborate couture or
parted in the braids bf negligee had
the effect Of arousing her a. no mere
dream possibly could have done. 1t
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
she had not committed the innovation
>of, dreaming, then she made swift
reach for the allen 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had been withdrawn swiftly in the.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 90 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 80 swiftly that she bruised
her forehead slightly against some
thing cold and hard and round and
smooth that was Immediately pressed
menacingly to her head.
Don't move. or you'll get this!"
said rough voice.
Mrs. Delaroche gasped. and despite
the hand. sank back again to her pill
low. She could still feel. however. or
fancied she could, the icy rim Of the
metal that had touched her brow.
This was q great feat of Imagination
for Mrs. Delaroche.
That's right: lie still" continued
the voice. If you know what's good
for you"
Rough though the voice was, It was
carefully subdued. It could not have
been heard In the corridor Mrs. Della
roche drew deep. nuttering breath,
and was evidently on the point. Of
making another attempt to speak
when the metallic ring touched her
forehead again. chilling her to silence.
and the voice went on:
See here. lady. I'vo got no time to
waste with you. Just you stay where
you are, and don't make sound, un-
less you want to get this!" and the
metal was pressed little harder to
her forehead. II am going to get out
OF this room quietly. and I'm going
right now. II you make any noise for
the next Ave minutes. I'll blow your
head Oft"
The cold pressure was removed
from her forehead, and the burglar
moved about the room. The thick
carpet and doubtless the felt soles on
the mans feet as auxiliaries. made his
steps soundless. He went from her
dressing table TO q writing desk, light
ing each IN turn with vivid circle
of rays from an electric pocket torch.