The Washington herald., 1913-01-05

crowds. and turned into a quiet and sobe
! street. The sign on the lamp post toit
me that had arrived on the scene. I
was twenty minutes past eleven. Tw,
things were possible; either the girl hat
been killed the night before or hat
half an hour or 30 In which to rende
her the greatest possible service.
The house proved to be a fine structure
one Of those few dwellings In the metrop
oils that boasts Of anything like a court
| or yard This yard was at the right Of
the building. and was more a roadway
70 the stables in the rear than anythinf
else. Stin, may stretch II a point and
call II a yard. I cast hasty glance
about. Not a soul was in sight / tried
one Of the gates. It was Unmatched! This
certainly must be the night. I stole VI
the roadway cautiously. The fact that
left some fine tracks in the snow did not
disturb me. I was not guilty of anything
wrong. Yes. there was the bow-window
through which the rascal was to enter
There would be surprise in store for
MIN. A subdued light shone through the
half-closed blinds. Some one was awake;
doubtless the girl herself, reading.
Everything was working out nicely.
I would even save her any real annoy
ancs.
/ tiptoed back to the gate, and was
about to make my exit. when paused.
Mortified. my heart In my mouth. Com
ing airily along the walk was a police
man. He was whistling popular Irish
melodies and swinging his night stick.
The deuce! Suppose he took IL into his
head to examine the gate! hid behind
difficulty. II there was anything in the
wnrlA ffd m han a
to be arrested in this other fellows coat
Besides the policeman wouldn't believe a
word I said. He would hale me to the
nearest police station. and all my efforts
to save the girl would come to nothing.
The policeman did start for the gate,
but a cat fight across the street dis
tracted him and he crossed over to break
up the conflict. / was saved After a
reasonable length of time, stole forth.
1t was close shave.
I dare say that have omitted the
fact that / am young. still under thirty.
and am a struggling dramatist. after
having been a struggling poet. into which
craft had drtfted after having been a
struggling humorist. The main fault of
my want OF success lay to the fact
that 1 do not look the various parts
AS a dramatist, I lack the requisite ir-
ritability Of temper; as a poet, / have
not that distinct disregard for personal
appearance usually considered character
istic: as a humorist. I am totally deficient
of the long, cadaveroUs and dyspeptic
and lusterless eye of the
typical writer OF funny fancies When
my uncle died and left me a comfort
able income. art received a staggering
blow. from which II is doubtful she will
ever recover. A spinster aunt insists that
l am more than ordinarily agreeable to
the eye; but. OF course. blood is partial 10
blood. That is enough for the present OF
what the amiable Trackeray called "fiESt
person, singular. perpendicular"
When once moro In the street. 1 bold
ly approached the steps. mounted slow
ly, and pushed the button. II maid or
a footman should open the door. ! should
know instantly that II was not servants
night of. 1t remained only for the girl
herself 10 answer my summons.
This she did.
remarked. elsewhere. that hoped
she would be young and beautiful. She
was. I wasn't exactly expecting such
golden cobwebs. her eyes like sapphires.
bloom OF a young peach. I stared, stand
ing first on one foot, then on the other.
What is IT." she asked. rather i'm
patiently.
1t was quite evident that she had been
deeply absorbed in the book she held
IN her hand. wondered how / should
begin,
We'll. SIR"
Are you the young lady OF the house"
finally summoned up the courage to
ask