The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-02-23

Lincoln's inauguration ball. Why had
the box been left thus carelessly upon
the library table?
II recalled many daring robheries
which had been committed OF late in
this same lonely locality, and per-
haps even now burglars were search
ing the empty house for fur her booty.
They would return presently for The
little box. and then tremblingly my
hand sought the telephone. Mr.. Leigh,
who managed fathers affairs at the
hank, might be able TO advise or help
me. explained the situation hurried.
ly. and at last his well known voice
answered.
"'Try not TO he alarmed he said.
and admit no person TO the house.
will be with you as soon AS the auto
can rush me there and will bring you
and the valuables back with me-
"The thought OF remaining longer in
the silent house was unbearable: so.
concealing the little box beneath my
cloak. crept out into the darkened
porch and awaited my deiverer. When
the lights of your car sbone down the
driveway / cried eagerly. although
might have known that IL would have
been impossible for Mr.. Leigh to arrive
as hours back there in the storm and
cold"
IL quite understand" Serviss an
swercd gently. but why did you not
let me help you?"
She leaned forward with graceful
gesture. why. don't you see" she
asked. II was not a very responsible
person then. and so | thought you
might be-the burglar-returning for
his stolen prize. At any rate. il would
scarcely have been wise to make con-
fidant OF man who appeared at the
rear door of vacant house so late at
night to ask the very apparent way to
the city. nor would it have been ad-
visable to trust an entire stranger with
the care Of box containing several
thousand dollars worth OF valuables.
Nevertheless was determined not to
stay in the place another moment, so
when | had called you ! ran around
the other way and peeped into your
automobile. Finding II empty, | took
q desperate chance and slipped inside,
hoping that you would not see me
there and that might thus reach the
city quickly and safely. AS we rolled
along and had time to think the mat
ter over soberly was ashamed of my
folly and knew instinctively that you
had spoken the truth. When the
lights Of the theater cleaned out and
that little old lady came to meet you,
why, wanted to beg your pardon for
having doubted. l do so now" she
added impulsvely. "Wil you shake
hands with the culprit?"
Serviss clasped the proffered hand.
"If you are the culprit." he replied,
remember that l am also your ac.
complice. | am still anxious to hear
Wait" interposed the girl. when
left you | went directly to Mr..
Leigh's home, where his wife well
coined me sympathetically. This morn
ing when Mr.. Leigh read the startling
news Of the robbery we came out here
directly. 1t seems that in the hurry Of
departure father had forgotten the box.
which he had intended to leave at the
bank for safe keeping. 1t was not un-
til he had reached his destination that
he recalled having left it upon the
library table and Immediately boarded
a homecoming train. Father is very
hasty. and when he discovered that
the house had been entered and the
box taken think he must have noti-
fed every police station and detective
agency in the surrounding country"
A mischievous light shone in Miss
Richmond's eyes. 81 would like to
know just what you thought when you
read the papers?" she questioned.
"My predominating thought was that
l should like above all things TO see