The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-13

admitted him and she slipped
. directly behind. Yes, there was II
warm red carpet in the hall and Ii
serpentine stairs winding up aroun
the wall.
Her room was dark and empt,
Lucille had not returned. The be
invited her, and she CROPPED acros
to 1t.
1t was = grief-stricken face tn
rested against the pillow. aged b
many years since its round b,
nehcence Of the morning. The phy,
ical comfort soothed her a. a mott
er's arms . tired child, and tn
shadowy room filed with vague. IL
distinct forms that came and wen
and fioated OF into the darkness.
I Suddenly she was awake, wide
eyed. conscious that she was IA
longer alone. Eagerly she raised her
self on her elbow. The light from tn,
street sent q long, bright ray across
tho room and her near-sighted eye
made out a form in front of the dress
/, ing table.
lib" the word was checked
The form had moved. 1t was q man!
|, Limp, nerveless, she dropped bacl
on her pillow. The fear that haunted
her by day. the trembling terror Of
her waking hours at night, had taken
shape.
She was alone in the presence Of q
burglar.
In her fright and horror she lay
following In maze the mans smooth
dexterity as he handled the objects
on the dressing table.
The man moved from the DRESSING
table; q door creaked. She looked up
to see his square shoulders disappear.
Ing into the closet.
Her blood leaped and coursed
through her veins. Her fears dropped
from her. She was no longer q fright.
ened. helpless little woman. She
slipped from the bed; her noiseless
feet skinned the floor. Just before
she reached the closet they caught in
a rug. She stumbled; her out
stretched hand hit the door. It
swung to with a bang. Instantly she
was up, her fingers grasping the key.
She turned 1t and leaned breathless
but triumphant against the panel.
There was moment Of quiet.
Neither she nor the burglar moved.
Then the knob of the door was turned
gently. The man breathed heavily as
he braced himself to break the lock.
Again her fears were upon her. Her
shaking knees failed her; she was
sinking to the carpet when a louder
rattle of the knob behind stiffened
her to life.
She started to run. The floor rose
TO meet her, but she kept on till she
reached the hall.
Murder! Murder!" Only a whis.
per came to her lips.
Murder! Murder!" A thin. ouayer.
ing falsetto.
What is it, madam? What is it?"
exclaimed big man, struggling with
q collar button at the back of
his neck.
"A man." gasped Miss Bartlett, "a
man"
A man, madam, a MANI"
Yes, yes; a burglar. He went into
the closet. I locked him in"
why? What the devil?" exclaimed
the big man, when he opened the
closet.
"No Johnoon dave
pellation.
What in thunder. Atterbury. are
you doing locked up in your own
closet?"
Well. Sammy. that's something I |
wish you would explain"
Ben! o Benz" Miss Bartlett |
pushed to the center Of the group |
md seized Mr.. Atterbury by the arm.
why, Aunt Lucy. Aunt Lucy. |
what are you doing here?"
where's the burglar?"
But Aunt Lucy, how did you come
lere?"
Il came to see Lucille. Where's the
burglar" she demanded peerinr
round into the closet,
There isn't any burglar that I!
now OF. Who locked me In there."
why, l did. thought thought
ou were a burglar"
But I don't understand. How did
GU come here In my roomf"
Your roomf Lucille said It was my
oom."
Seems to mo things are a I'M.
liked. Lucille lives two blocks nom
ere"
Miss Bartlett's bewildered sv>s
andered from one to the other OF
70 three gentlemen. Il sec how Il
;" she said At last. i've rot into
70 wrong house. I'm Just Q stupid
d woman"
supported on Ben's strong arm. the
rect lamps blinked merrily at her '
rough the whirling fakes, and the
Ind that caught her skirts and {
aipped In her face. was but a glee- {
winter gale. I
DO come in, Ben; do come in"
Q urged at the door. Don't leave
till l find out whether Lucille IN S
nting for me among the lost ar. a
les at the police station or is drag. e
lg the river" I
Aunt Lucy" voice cried from v
hall above. Flying feet, floating
aperies, a vision OF disheveled v
lden hair, and she was seized in a il
I'm embrace. Il have hunted
cd evening, Mr.. Atterbury," from a n
note distance.
Lucille" said Miss Bartlett. SOL n
My. Il came near getting Ben
Irdered Yes, murdered" she re-
ated in response TO Lucile's incred.
JUS expression. He'll tell you all D
out IL I want IN oot 80 49, -