The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-29
The Euening Story
Burglar Bruce.
(By Jane OSborn.)

For the T1rSC constance lay
| trembling, in such a state of alarm
and terror that she was quite incapa-
| BILE of owing. What had Weakened her
she did not know, and save for the
far-off trickle of the little stream be-
hind the house all was quiet.
Presently she heard the sound of
] footsteps Someone was walking on
the side veranda- And to have some
| one walking about at that time of
stance Preston was the only person
| in the house except her tempera-
mentally helpless mother, an aged
grandmother and a new cook: The
boys were away. Billy was with his
regiment and Alan was detained in
town on business.
With an extraordinary burst of
portance, Constance dashed into her
mothers room and found her awake
and trembling. Call your grand
mother!" she cried, pulling the
Blankets from the bed and wrapping
them frantically about her.
"Hush!" whispered Constance, try
ing to steady her own trembling voice.
BE quiet or they will hear you." The
sound of footsteps was again distinct,
and then a long, low, terrifying
whistle.
"Heavensi" whispered Mrs. Preston.
eff one of the boys were only home!"
perhaps I could wake the cook;
she is so big and strong"
"But you never could rouse her. But,
Constance, you must get your grand
mother; her room is right over that
side porch"
Constance CROPPED her way to the
door and opened it steathily. The low,
Pickering light in the hall cast long,
waving shadows on the floor and
dashed across to her grandmother's
room. Grandmother Preston, fortu-
nately,- was very diminutive sort of
old lady. So Constance, wasting no
de-
bundled her into her slippers and
dressing gown, and led her, dazed but
docile, back to Mrs. Preston's room.
"Oh, if Alan were only here"
thought Constance, throwing on what
clothes of Mrs. Preston's she could
find by the low light Of the night
candle.
heard a sound, was sitting huddled in
chair, her feet drawn under her and
her head covered with a blanket. She
was peering anxiously around.
Hadn't you better cover your
once get in it's hard to get them out"
''What?'' asked Constance aloud,
frantically hooking herself into an
evening gown of her mothers.
do you think it came in by the
chimney" Grandmother Preston went
on in her gentle old voice.
'tOh, it isn't a bat, grandmother; it's
a burglar!'' Constance shrieked. But
without n6r ear trumpet the Ola ldQy
could hear nothing.
Just then there was a heavy stamp
ing Of feet below. Mrs. Preston chung
to her daughter for protection. I'D
give almost anything for a man." Con-
stance whispered.
Lets telephone for one" suggested
Mrs. Preston.
1.-The burglar might shoot him." OBJ
jected her daughter.
But you could call up the police"
nrof q -acieS a fnT
Constance swept half way down the
stairs to the telephone. There, with
Mrs. Prestons nerve-racking whisp-
ers from above and the possibility of
an attack from the burglars from be-
low, she gave the message.
Central she said, holding the re-
ceiver with trembling hands. 1.-THE
police station-teH them to send up
some one to the Preston place at
once"
Without waiting for a reply, she
sped back to the haven of Mrs. Pres
toms room, where, speeches., they sat
waiting, the monotony of their anxiety
broken only by the occasional sound of
footsteps below.
Then, after what seemed hours,
came the pounding of the old brass
knocker, ringing strong and clear.
Without a moments hesitation, Con-
stance ran down stairs, and, as she
passed the hatrack, she seized an old
raincoat of her brothers and bundled
it around her to hide the rather elab-
crate 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 policeman, but-yes, it was Bruce |
Morrison himself.
well, of all the COMPOUNDED dough- |
heads" was what he started to say |
when he caught sight of Alan's old
coat.
Bruce Morrison!" Constance gasp |
ed, overcome with joy at seeing
protector. 81 always knew you were |
an angel. I've waited so long and now |
you've come"
The suddenness of what Bruce took |
to be complete surrender rather took |
his breath away.
st 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, sit
ting down on the floor at her feet, 'do |
you really think you are going to love
me little bit after all?"
why, yes, 1 suppose So" said Con-
stance rather sharply; but why don
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
ssWell, I'm blessed!' was all Bruce
dared to say It dawned on them both
all at once what had really been go
ing on.
but why did you keep up that
CHASTITY whistle? It was enough to
drive one wild"
land 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
picturesque, Bruce. But why don't
YOU tell me about that whistler
sOh. that's an old college whistle
of ours. 1 thought Alan was home,
and he'd recognize it and know I'd ar
rived 1 didn't try that dodge until L
had given up every other known