The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1913-08-29

dark shape standing near the fire. His
back was toward her.
Anne could make out that the in
truder wore a dark macintosh and a
small darp cap.
There was only one explanation of
his appearance. Some thief, learning
of Mr.. Wayne's early return home, had
resolved to help himself to some of
the millionaire-collector's treasures.
Why such a valuable collection of
books, pictures and porcelains should
| be left unprotected, might be answered
by the fact that Gregory Wayne was
entirely impractical and had unbound
ed faith in his fellowmen.
The room darkened until the only
visible light was that made by the
fire against which the mans still form
was silhouetted dimly.
Anne's cramped limbs grew numb
and cold and she wished heartily that
she had not agreed to stay alone. AS
Mr.. Wayne's employe it was her duty
to protect his interests, and she looked
about her for some weapon of defense
If she should be driven to extremity.
There was nothing save the heavy vol
umes Of Bulfinch-one in her lap and
the other on the shelves with smaller
books.
She would be in dire straits before
she could gain courage to hurl those
treasured volumes at a marauder.
There was sound below her in the
room. 1t sounded like the swishing
noise made in removing a wet mackin-
tosh. Silence again, and then a voice
came up to her out of the darkness.
"Well?" 1t asked rather roughly.
Anne was silent, but the ladder
swayed under her shaking limbs She
grasped the big volume tightly.
Keep away" she warned as he ap-
| preached you must understand that
l am Mr.. Wayne's librarian, and l am
responsible for the contents of this
room. If you dare touch thing here
iii throw this book down at you"
What is that?" asked the voice
quickly, and with a note of alarm.
age of Fable-it's a perfectly dear
book-and l know Mr.. Wayne will
rage if it's thrown about or torn.
Please go away-there's isn't anything
here in this room that's worth taking"
she pleaded.
He laughed grimly. I'm sorry to
hear that"
Il suppose So" retorted Anne drily.
but really. Mr-er-Raffles, it's hard
ly worth your while to stay here-all
the valuables are put away"
The man below laughed at that
Laughed a great hearty rich laugh
that echoed through the room. Anne
stretched forward a hand to the near.
est chandelier chain which swung
close to the ladder. In an instant
the room was bathed in soft light
AS she regalned her seat on the top
of the ladder the man on the floor
looked up and saw Anne for the first
time, If he had expected to see a
desperate woman burglar he was en-
tirely surprised by the vision in blue
and crimson with tossed fair hair.
She clasped the Age of Fable" to her
breast and leaned forward to fix his
handsome features in her memory, for
1t was quite possible she might be re-
quired to identify his picture in the
rogue's gallery.
But the treacherous wheeled ladder
suddenly moved noiselessly under
Anne's shifting weight; she lost her
balance, gasped. and fell to the par
quet floor.
The stranger had her in his arms
almost instantly. He murmured pity
ing words as he carried her to a
great leather couch and pressed an
electric button with surprising famil-
iarity with the premises.
Mrs. Babb came hurrying in utter
ing shrill bleats of alarm at sight of
Anne's white stunned face.
"Oh, Mr.. Wayne, has she fell? Dear
me, Miss Blair, how did you ever man.
age to break your neck tonight with
Mr.. Wayne just home unexpected, and
me with so much to do!" fused the
woman. as she ran to and fro excit-
edly.
Mrs. Babb. send Sarah here
Please telephone for DR.. Hanford
Send me some cold water-and er-
camphor if you have It,"
Perhaps falling down a stepladder