The Parker post., 1915-12-11
BURGLAR BRUCE
BY JANE OSBORN.

Copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)
For the first minute Constance lay
trembling, in such state of alarm
and terror that she was quite incapa-
BILE of moving. What had wakened
her she did not know, and save for
the far-off trickle Of the little stream
behind the house all was quiet.
Presently she heard the sound of
footsteps. Someone was walking
on the side veranda. And to have
someone walking about at that time
Of night was serious matter, for
Constance Preston was the only per-
son In the house except her tempera-
mentally helpless mother, an aged
grandmother and new cook. The
boys were away. Billy was with his
regiment and Alan was detained in
town on business.
With an extraordinary burst of
courage and the sense of her own
importance, Constance dashed into
her mothers room and found her
awake and trembling. Call your
grandmother" 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.
"Heavens!" whispered Mrs. Pres
ton. ''If one of the boys were only
home!"
Perhaps 1 could wake the cook;
she is so big and strong"
"But you never could rouse her.
But, Constance, you must get your
grandmother; her room is right over
that side porch"
Constance groped her way to the
door and opened it stealthily. The low
Pickering light in the hall cast long,
waving shadows on the floor and
walls. Almost petrified with fear, she
dashed across to her grandmother's
room. Grandmother Preston, fOrtu-
nately, was very diminutive sort Of
old lady. So Constance, wasting no
words on explanation, lifted her up,
bundled her into her slippers and
dressing gown, and led her, dazed but
docile, back to Mrs. Preston's room.
'Oh, II 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.
Grandmother Preston, who hadn't
heard 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
heads?' she asked slowly. IF they
once get in it's hard to get them
out"
"What?" asked Constance aloud
frantically hooking herself into an eve-
ming gown of her mothers.
DO you think it came in by the
chimney" Grandmother Preston went
on in her gentle old voice.
"Oh, it isn't bat, grandmother;
it's a burglar!'' Constance shrieked.
But without her ear trumpet the old
lady could hear nothing.
Just then there was heavy stamp
ing Of feet below. Mrs. Preston chung
to her daughter for protection. I'D
give almost anything for man." Con-
stance whispered
~, &oIo
Mrs. Preston.
"The burglar might shoot him." OBJ
jected her daughter.
But you could call up the police. I"
Then with desperate resignation,
Constance swept half way down the
stairs to the telephone. There, with
Mrs. Preston's nerve-racking whis-
pers 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. "The
police station-tell them to send up
someone to, the Preston place-at
once"
Without waiting for a reply, she
sped back to the haven Of Mrs. Pres
toms room, where, speechless, they
sat waiting, the. monotony of their
anxiety broken only by the occasion
al sound of footsteps below.
Then, afer what seemed hours,
came the pounding Of the old brass
knocker, ringing strong and clear.
Without moments hesitation, Con-
stance ran downstairs, and, as she
passed the hatrack, she seized an old
raincoat of her brothers 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
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 pro-
-