The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-30

j
heard the front door rattle. Then
someone tried the side windows. Then
there was window lifted in the gar
ret. Oh, | am sure someone is up
there! Now, Earle-do you not hear?"
You're right. Rachel" assented Mr..
Pelham, after a moment of intense
listening.
There was no doubling the fact that
the floor overhead creaked as hurried
footsteps crossed it. Then there was
scraping sound. &. of someone pull.
ing trunk or box over the boards.
Then breaking sound
Mr.. Pelham got out of bed, dressed,
and lighting amp got revolver
/ from a bureau drawer. His wife fol-
, lowed his example by throwing on a
dress. She was close behind him as
they crept up the attic stairs.
ooh, do be CAREFUL" she implored
whisperingly, as they reached the top
Of the stairs, and a low, vague Groom,
| ing sound reached their hearing from
beyond the threshold of the attic
/ door.
Hold the lamp" directed her hus
band. when l pull the door open
suddenly lift it so l can see where &
| fire."
Mr.. Pelham gave the door quicl
pull. With a trembling hand his wife
lifted and extended the lamp.
Don't - don't shoot" almos
screamed Mrs. Pelham. IT'S girl
woman"
The Pickering lamp fell across {
woman, singing softly to herself ant
taking dress after dress from a trunl
she had opened. She turned towar'
the intruders in surprised way.
Visitors" she observed in a soft
plaintive tone You will have to e1
cuse me ill get ready to go dow
and meet my guests. l have just al
rived home. Some wicked peopl
stole me from my husband and
escaped"
ooh, Earle!" gasped Mrs. Pelham
Juggling at her husbands sleev,
don't you understand? It's that poe
lady next door they mourn as deat
Oh, quick! quick! run for her hui
band. She has found home at last
and see, that open window. She mus
have reached it with the stepladder
Mr.. Pelham, terribly excited, hurrie
, away Mrs. Pelham advanced to II
side of the woman, whose carmen
were nearly in rags.
Pick out your dress, dear" 81
said soothingly. Your husband W
Z be here soon
!. "But-strangers in the housed" b
gan the other suspiciously.
Z oh, we are just guests" assure
Z Mrs. Pelham You will find ever
: thing in order below"
1t was a great shock for Robert NJ
son when his ncighbor advised him
the strange arrival of the night.
= Gained himself as he realized the sit
alton. AS he entered the attic, with
wild cry of delight his wife ran in
\ his arms.
= "Oh, Robert! those wicked men W
Z stole me away from you"
4 Gene entirely out of our life, 1
darling" assured Mason. Come
your own rooms and get ready to jc
: our kind neighbors at little luncl
: he proceeded, and made sign to
Z Pelhams, who retired.
Half an hour later Mr.. Mason led
wife, neatly dressed and looking ca
and happy, into the rooms below. I
Quick-witted Mrs. Pelham had spro
out a small rejection. To the let
the program of visitors was carr
10 out, and in the eyes of the poor w
derer all could trace slow but 81
returning of reason.
,e "You will have to keep up the p
- tense of going over to the next ho'
till | can arrange otherwise WI
~ pered Mr. Mason to Mr.. Pelham.
u ooh, you mustn't disturb your W
~ with anything" answered Mrs. l
% ham. And besides-we like the iii
home best
IL Famously good people, the Pelha
~ shared the glad, grateful JOY of tn
% % landlord, as the days went on and NJ
10 Mason came back into the full 8
u shine of reason and health.
VI. luNU nE TIE uNpCECuI