The Washington herald., 1915-09-22

She seized an old raincoat Of her BROTH
ers and bundled it around her to hide the
rather elaborate array OF Mrs. Preston's
! evening gown.
! With trembling hands she opened the
front door. and there before her anxious
and prayerful eyes stood-not the police
man, but-yes. it was Bruce Morrison
! himself.
/ well. of all the confounded dough-
heads" was what he started to say when
! he caught sight Of Alan's old coat.
, Bruce Morrison" Constance gasped.
overcome with Joy at seeing a protector.
! II always knew you were an angel. I've
! waited SO long. and now you've come"
The suddenness Of what Bruce took to
| be a complete surrender rather took his
breath away.
Il knew I'd win out some time" he
/ said. as he led Constance to the living
room and settled her in the old sleepy
hollow chair.
Honest, Constance" he asked. sitting
down on the floor at her feet. do you
really think you are going to love me a
little bit after all?''
why. yes. I suppose So" said Con-
stance rather sharply: but why don't We
look for the burglar? He's been trying
to get in for over an hour. Maybe he's
in now Oh. I'm so glad you came"
We'll, I'm blessed,' was all Bruce
dared to say. 1t dawned on them both
all at once what had really been going
on.
But why did you keep up that ghastly
whistle? 1t was enough to drive one
wild"
And why don't you have . civilized
doorbell." he retorted. instead Of that
beastly old knocker? I'd been feeling
around for a bell for an hour or So"
''Why. that old brass knocker Is so pic
turesque. Bruce. But why don't you tell
me about that whistler"
"Oh, that's an old college whistle Of
ours. thought Alan was home, and he'd
recognize 1t and know I'd arrived.
didn't try that dodge until I had given
up every other known means Of waking
you. Alan expected I'd come out some
night this week. I told him was going
to make one last dying entreaty before
sailed for the South Sea Isles or the Ft1is
or the north pole. or"
''Oh. but you're not going away ever.
are you. Bruce" Constance begged.
please don't leave us alone"
Constance! Constance. came feebly
from up stairs. Have they caught
him?"
Constance hurried to the stairs. Yes.
mother" she called. TITS all right It's
Bruce"
But haven't the policemen come yet?''
asked Mrs. Preston.
II say. Constance" interrupted Bruce.
who was peering anNiously out one Of the
side windows. What the mischief Is
that policeman doing prying around the
house at this hour Of the nisht?" he
asked
II suppose he came because We sent for
him when we thought some one was try
ing to break in she said. ''Oh. I'm 80
glad you're here. because you can ex-
plain
Just then the old knocker sounded
again. Patch 1t up any way" Con-
stance whispered. only don't tell him
who you are. This is such a sossipy
place" Then she vanished behind tho
porteres and listened.
Say. this is a nice trick, this is II
was Bruce talking. You fellows had
better get on to your job. Do you think
burglar is going to sit down under a
tree and wait for you?''
But there wasn't any one at the sta
tion house TO send when the lady phoned.
and-and-
well. I'm not finding fault with you
personally. captain" said Bruce. but II
was a mighty slim way to treat q cou-
pie of unprotected ladies. Say. you don't
mean to say that they sent you up hero
alone, Well, that Is a fine way to do
business A lot of good one man could
Then you saw him. GIleried the po-
liceman.
How could I? Just got here myself
and found my mother and my sister in
a dreadful state of excitement But It's
all right this time" said Bruce. handin :
him a s. bill. Here's the price of a cigar
for you. You'll find it worth while not
to report this case; dye understand?
Say. you might tell the boss some time.
when you think of 1t. that he'll never
catch many burglars sending out ono
man at time"
WELL explained the policeman.
we've had so many false alarms this
summer. that whenever q lady calls up
in the night it's ten to one it's only a
mouse. Ladies is very apt to be mis-
taken. I find
You're right there. captain. but this
time 1t was the real thing. and no doubt
about it. Good night" he said. closing
the door. Good luck
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