The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-03-07

please say that 1 would rather be an
Ola maid than to marry an idle, red
headed Irishman. Aunt Phoebe told
me his hair was red"
When James switched on the lights
In the hall Polly saw a good-looking
stranger standing Their, a suitcase be-
SIDE him. His hair, she noticed, with
start OF SURPRISE. was not red, but
brown.
AT last We meet, Mr.. Gaines. am
POLLY Moore, as you probably know"
One OF the maids tells me that your
aune is lndisposed. ! am very sorry,
put at the same time a little glad. for
II gives me nice long evening with
you"
Polly exerted all her efforts to
cnarm the man. She remembered the
sweet story of her Aunt Phoebe's
romance and her heart was warm for
this young fellow who might have
been Miss Phoebe's own son.
The man himself seemed strangely
III at ease, but Polly attributed IL to
enc fact OF their hitherto violent
hatred.
That cabinet over there of curios
is worth a small fortune" he said.
indicating quaint hand-carved piece
OF furniture. That amethyst neck
lace that belonged 30 some queen l
believe, is very valuable"
Yes, indeed. Are you interested in
Aunt Phoebe's collection?. I think
that she is very foolish to leave such
things mere even If she does have a
sort of Doubt lock. don't your"
yes, but I suppose she trhts her
servants"
Polly excused herself presently. She
wanted to run upstairs and ask about
Aunt Phoebe before dinner, she said.
When she reached the landing she
heard strange noise and went quick
~ down again, thinking that a log
had fallen from the Ire and chat she
could help Bob put it back in place.
What she saw fairly paralyzed her.
For a woman, she thought very quick
~, and reached up to get a loaded
pistol that Aunt Phoebe always kept
on a high stand in the hall. Then she
covered the man where he knelt be-
fore the famous cabinet, slipping the
Jeweled necklace in his pocket.
Hands up! I think" she said. |
coolly, that can shoot pretty
straight. To think that you would |
steal from Aunt Phoebe!"
The man covered before the look
IN his face. ''It's all a Joke" he
whimpered. just as the doorbell rang.
When Polly heard James enter the |
hall she spoke to him quietly with
out taking her eyes from the burglar.
Hurry up, James, and see who is
there. Be careful. Then come here"
Well, hello, James. Hows Aunt
Phoebe? Tell her Bob's here" Polly
heard a deep voice say, What the
devil does this mean?"
Coma and help me. / have caught
a gentleman thief"
1t took very little time for Bob and
James to replace the valuable and tie
their prisoner, hand and foot. Then
james and a big fellow from the
stables stood guard over him in a
locked room until the sheriff could
arrive.
Polly was shaking before the fire
when Bob went back to her. He hand
ed her a glass of wine
IL can't hold it." sobbed Polly.
Il am scared to DEATH"
After you have been so brave?
Here, I'll hold it. Drink it ALL"
Il can't, 1 tell you. Why, he
could have murdered me and II
talked to him about everything. o."
walled Polly, ell never get over this
Bob put his strong steady arms
around her and held the wine to her
mouth.
Poor little grill" he said soothing
y. Brace up. That was the bravest
hing l ever saw a girl do. Nice
scheme OF that thief's. One of the
maids was a confederate and she put
linn on to my coming and Aunt
'hoebe's headache. I admire you for
What you did, even If you don't like